Page 25 of A Shared Mind

“Come back at ten when I get off. We’ll go get a drink. Pick me up, and we’ll see what happens.”

I nodded and tossed a twenty on the table. “I’ll see you at ten.”

Ain’t you savin’ your cherry for Clay Fines?

Once I was outside, I addressed my unwelcome passenger. “Who I give my cherry to is none of your business. Are you upset your son might be gay? He didn’t confirm or deny it. He only asked me out for a drink. Maybe he knows something about who killed you.”

Ramon laughed. I ain’t gay, but I know a pickup line when I hear one. My son’s pickin’ you up, Kid. I got nothin’ against you gay guys. One of my crew liked guys and girls. I never gave him hell for it, though some of the other guys did. I had a meeting with my crew and laid down the law. Nobody fucked with Mikey after I gave the word.

“Is he still alive? Maybe he’d know more about your killer?” I had to figure out a way to speed this shit up. I was never going to get home if I didn’t.

Far as I know, he’s fine. Let’s go to his neighborhood and check it out. Make a left up here on Sublette.

Sadly, I was getting too used to following orders from Ramon. Why couldn’t I wrestle control from him when I wanted it?

We drove to a small shotgun-style house on Sublette Avenue near the South City YMCA. “This where your friend lives?”

Naw. His ma lives—or lived—here when he worked for me. If she’s still alive, she’ll be here and after she tells you she doesn’t know who you’re talkin’ about, she’ll call him and he’ll come over. You can talk to Tino then.

I walked the sidewalk to the small slate porch with its white wrought iron railings and pressed the doorbell.

Someone’s inside. Knock on the door. Maybe the bell don’t work?

I pulled open the screened storm door and knocked on the wooden door, letting the screened door close. A moment later, a tiny little woman with white hair opened the front door and smiled.

“Hello?”

That’s her, Mrs. Gallo. Tino’s ma.

“Are you Mrs. Gallo?” I wasn’t sure if Ramon was trying to humiliate me.

“Yes. Can I help you?”

“Um...” My mind scrambled at a million miles an hour to give the woman a reason why I stood on her porch when she’s never seen me before.

I got this.

Ramon shoved me out of the way and grinned. “Hi. I’m Peggy Best’s son, Teddy. I believe your son, Tino, dated my mother during high school. I wonder if Tino’s around? I think he might be my dad.”

What the fuck are you doing, Ramon? You’ll give her a heart attack. God, the guy...spirit...was an idiot. You can’t tell old people shit like that.

“Peggy Best? I don’t know anyone named Peggy Best, I’m afraid. Where would my Santino have met her?”

“Ma said they met at Little Bit of Italy where Tino worked over on Hampton.”

The old woman was quiet, so I jerked Ramon out of the way so I could see how upset she was. It was too fucking crowded in my head.

Mrs. Gallo didn’t look too upset. “What are you looking for? Tino’s not here right now. He’ll be home by eleven.”

Fucker must be at the social club. There’s a bocci ball alley in the back and it’s Friday, so they’ll be playing. Thank her and let’s go.

“Uh, well, my mother told me on her death bed that Tino might be my father. I thought he might want to know she’s passed away.”

Damn, Kid, you’re quick on your feet. Let’s go, now.

Mrs. Gallo opened her arms and surrounded me with a hug. “I’m so sorry, Teddy. It’s hard to lose someone you love.” She then pushed me back and placed her right hand on my cheek. “I don’t think my Tino is your father, but if it’s important for you to know for sure, give me your phone number and he’ll reach out to you.”

“I, uh, I might just let it go. Maybe it’s not important for me to know. Thank you, Mrs. Gallo.” I quickly stepped away from her and smiled. She was a nice woman. She didn’t deserve this bullshit.