Free Adrian Del Valle - Diego's Brooklyn by Adrian Del Valle Page B

walk by myself. Not today.”
    “Of course,” said Louie.
    “I’ll get your coat,” said Diego.
    The last few bars of Elvis Presley’s, Hard Headed Woman , was almost over. Hector had another old 45, I Wonder Why , by the Belmonts, ready to put on the record player. In queue is, To Know Him, is to Love Him, by the Teddy Bears. Underneath that lay, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, by Brenda Lee.
    A few of the new ‘61 hits were there as well, like, Stand by me, by Ben E. King and, Hello Mary Lou, Goodbye Heart , by teenage heart-throb, Ricky Nelson. The Shirelles’, Mama Said, and Neil Sedaka’s, Calendar Girl, were also lying nearby. Next to those and all by itself, unopened in its paper jacket, was the number one hit on the pop charts, I Fall to Pieces, by Patsy Cline.
    Someone tapped Hector on the shoulder. He turned to see who it was. “Oh, hi, Mrs. D.”
    “Whena you gona put on Deano Marteen? I’m a wait for a longa time already.”
    Hector read the label out loud. “Return to me?”
    “Yes, that’s a the good side.”
    “But that’s boring!”
    “Hey, what do you mean itsa boring? Put it on, or you not gonna get any of my lasagna.”
    “I had some already, it was good,” Hector said, with a laugh.
    “Then I’m a gonna give a you a puncha inna the nose. Howza you lika a them apples, huh?”
    “Okay, okay, I’ll put it on next. Just don’t beat me up.”
    Mrs. D’avino turned to go back to the store for more meatballs, giving Hector a pat on the butt as she left.
    “Hey, you eeza lucky thisa time.”
    Mr. Richards arrived late, around 5:30. Mrs. D’avino caught up to him at the tables. “I save you a plate of a the meata balls and soma lasagna.”
    “Thanks, I appreciate that.”
    “I go warm it up for you. I coma right back.”
    He congratulated Diego.
    “Mr. Richards! Gee, thanks, its been swell!”
    “Don’t mention it. This was fun for all of us. I need to speak to your mother.”
    “Sure!”
    “Mrs. Rivera?”
    “Hello, Meester Reechards!”
    I’m taking a couple of the kids from the Colony House to the Museum of Natural History in the city tomorrow. If Diego wants to go, he’s more than welcomed.”
    “Gee, Mom…can I go?”
    “That’s okay. Maybe I con make some sanweesh for heem?”
    “That won’t be necessary. I’m treating them all to pizza afterwards.”
    “Can Hector go, Mr. Richards?” Diego asked.
    “Absolutely! One more won’t make a difference. Go ahead and ask him. Either way, meet me at the Colony House before twelve tomorrow afternoon.”
    “Ees that enough time, Meester Reechards? Why so late?”
    “Well, you know how kids are, they get bored fairly quickly. Most of them only want to see dinosaurs. After that they get a little rambunctious.”
    “What time are ju coming back?”
    “Around six or seven. I’ll make sure it’s not later than that.”

Chapter Five
    Hell’s Kitchen
    Barnes returned tired from work—too many kids in the theatre today—up and down, up and down. It seemed all he did the entire shift was do nothing but go up and down the aisles chasing the misbehaved kids that were throwing popcorn, peeing from their seats, or groping one another in the back row. He must have tossed out at least a half a dozen of them.
    He relaxed on the front stoop sipping a beer. Although late, he couldn’t sleep—perhaps in an hour or so. He needed to unwind a bit first.
    From where he sat he could see into Ana’s window, the red floral, plastic curtain spread wide and revealing. Now and then he caught a full view of her limping around in her panties and bra.
    Nice legs! Not bad for a crippled broad. I wouldn’t mind doin’ her. Hell, I might just knock on her door in the morning. Crap! Tomorrow’s Saturday — the kids home. Shit!
    Hey, wait a minute…they’re off until after New Year’s. It’s the holidays — damn! Well, that sucks!
    Joe continued to stare through the window.
    Someday I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna do that bitch…I