Free Sally Boy by P. Vincent DeMartino

each
other? This is what I do, pisan. You know that.”
    “Oh, I know. But I’m telling you Mikey, one
of these days you’re gonna say the wrong thing to the wrong fucking
guy, and you’re gonna get your ass stomped good. Maybe worse.”
    “Well, you been telling me that for years
and it ain’t happened yet.”
    “Give it time.”
    “‘Give it time.’ You say that like you’re
hoping it happens or something.”
    “I ain’t hoping nothing. But if it does, it
won’t surprise me. That’s all I’m saying.”
    “Well, if anybody wants a shot at my title,
they can come and see me anytime. I ain’t that fucking hard to
find.”
    “‘Title shot.’” Sal laughed. “Who the fuck
do you think you are, Rocky Marciano?”
    “No, but a lotta people tell me I fight like
Jake LaMotta.”
    “The Bronx Bull, huh? I forgot what a tough
monkey you are.”
    “I’m tough enough.”
    “You know, Mike. My Pop always told me that
no matter how tough you think you are, there’s always gonna be
somebody out there tougher. The trick is you gotta be smarter than
the other mug. Out think him. See?”
    “Fuck that shit. If I can’t beat a guy with
my fists then he better fucking kill me. ’Cause if he don’t, the
next time I see that motherfucker, I’m gonna do him in.”
    “Why do you gotta be like that Mike?”
    “’Cause that’s the way it is around here.
You know that. And besides, I don’t really give a fuck one way or
the other.”
    “That’s always been your problem, Mikey. You
just don’t give a fuck about nothing.”
    “So what! Who the fuck do you think you are,
Sal? My mother?”
    Listening to what has lately become the
usual banter among his friends, Anthony ate fast, trying to finish
so they could leave and get to Louie’s going away party. Seeing
some sauce running down Anthony’s chin, Sal tossed his friend a
stack of napkins. “Anthony, take it easy. You’re eating like a
fucking gavone?”
    “Yeah, slow the fuck down. It ain’t going
anywhere,” Mikey added sarcastically, his own mouth stuffed.
    “This is the way I eat,” Anthony said as he
wiped his mouth.
    “If you eat pussy like you eat pizza, you’re
screwed.”
    “Fuck you, Mike!”
    With the quickness of a mongoose, Sal
snatched Mike’s soda off the table and took a sip. “Hey Mikey, you
still seeing Nicole’s friend, Gina?”
    “Her and about six other broads. Why?”
    “I was just wondering if Nicole’s gonna be
at the party tonight.”
    “There’s gonna be a lotta people there.
Frankie invited the whole fucking neighborhood. What do you care if
Nicole’s gonna be there or not?”
    “Madonn! Why is it every time I ask you a
question you gotta crack wise? Can’t you just give me a simple
answer? Just say ‘yeah,’ ‘no,’ or ‘don’t know.’ It ain’t that
fucking hard.”
    “I could. But then I wouldn’t have any fun.
Would I?”
    “Hey fucko, is Nicole gonna be there or
not?”
    “Yeah, I think so. I don’t know. Why the
fuck are you asking me about her, Sal?”
    “I’m just asking.”
    “Oh, I see what’s going on here.” Mikey sat
up fast as if he figured out something. “You got a thing for her,
huh?”
    Shaking his head, Sal just looked away.
    “Well, you can forget about her, Sal. She’s
a fucking cock-tease. Besides she’s going with that asshole, Sonny
Giordano.”
    “Yeah Sal, he’s a bad motherfucker.” Anthony
burped loudly. “I heard he once stabbed a guy just for whistling
too loud.”
    “Yeah, he’s a real fucking tough guy. Philly
C from over on Webster Avenue knows Nicole pretty good. He told me
the only reason Nicole goes with Sonny is ’cause he threatened to
beat-up her little brother if she don’t. She only goes out with
that piecea shit to protect the kid. Can you fucking believe
that?”
    “So fucking what! She’s just another dumb
bitch. She deserves whatever she gets.”
    “No Mike, she don’t! Philly C told me that
Nicole told him she thinks I’m cute. She