Page 580 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

The next, he’s looking down at his phone in his lap, staring at the dark screen, waiting for it to light up.

It’s creeping me the fuck out.

Andrew looks at his ma,

then at me,

then down at his phone.

“Nothin’ happened.”

Maria turns her head on the pillow.

“Andrew.”

But he shuts it down fast. “No, Ma.”

“No?” Maria repeats, offended. Then scoffs. “I’m sorry. You tellin’ your sick mother no?”

His head snaps up to her.

“Don’t start that shit.”

“So tell me.” She lifts her hand as if she’s a hundred years old, forcing it to tremble. “It’s my dying wish, tesoro mio.”

Paola laughs. “Maria.”

Her hand drops onto the blanket. “Andrew. Dimmi la verità. What happened?” Maria demands.

Andrew keeps his eyes on his phone.

“Niente.”

“Niente,” she mocks.

Paola rolls her eyes.

“Niente. What niente?”

“Niente niente,” Andrew says, slinging his phone farther up his lap, near his zipper, then he leans forward, elbows on his thighs as he rakes down the back of his neck.

Maria nods. “Ah. Niente niente. That means big something.”

Andrew lifts his head, squinting at Ma with a warning. “Non è niente di cui dovete preoccuparvi.”

I grumble under my breath, “I wouldn’t say it’s niente.” My gaze drifts to the wall with a shrug, muttering, “But I get why you would. You’re familiar with the concept.”

Andrew drops his chin,

looks at the floor,

then over at me.

“Keep it comin’. I’ll fuckin’ take it.”

“So this is the niente,” Maria says, nodding. “She do something, and you pretend you are dead.”

Andrew’s eyes lift back to her, and he cocks his head. “When I say niente, I’m sayin’ none’a your business, aight? Just lay there. Smile. And pray your labs come back clean.”