Danny, Louie and Tony left Mr. Capiloni’s office without saying a word to each other.
Outside, Tony said, “hey lets go down to the club and grab a couple cold ones, whatcha
say?” “Okay with me,” said Louie, how about ya Danny?” “No, I don’t think so, I think
I’ll just go home and take it easy, if it’s all right with you fellows, maybe later on.”
“Sure,” said Louie, “come on down later, we’ll be there, we’ve got things ta talk about.”
“Okay,” replied Danny. He knew that there was plenty to talk about, but he didn’t want
to hear about it tonight.
Danny’s Mom and Dad were home listening to the radio when he got home. With brief hellos and how are you son, Danny retreated into his room to ponder the events of the day. What have I gotten myself into, he thought. I’ve made a commitment. Did I do right? I think so. I didn’t have much choice. I want so bad to go to college that I would have done anything to do so. What do I have to do, I’m not sure? What favor is Mr.
Capoloni talking about? There were so many things on Danny’s mind at this moment.
He had some sort of an idea of what was expected of him, but it wouldn’t be any brutal
force on anyone. This he had Mr. Capiloni’s word, and he was sure that he kept his
word. But all these questions would be answered tomorrow. Tonight, he was exhausted,
and all he wanted to do was to get some sleep. But first, he had to have a glass of milk,
and maybe a donut or something before he went to bed. Opening the ice box , he reached
in for a bottle of milk. It was not very cold, but still he felt that it was drinkable. The ice
in the box was melting very rapidly, as the day had been a bit warmer than expected.
Oh, well, the iceman will replenish the ice in the morning.
But why can’t we buy a refrigerator, like most people have? simple, my parents couldn’t
afford it. But maybe now, things may be a bit different, if he had some money left over
from his college expenses. Maybe he could buy his parents a refrigerator, so they
wouldn’t have to yell down to the Iceman,” ”Iceman, bring me up fifty cents of ice,
please.” So the Iceman would cut, with his ice pick what he thought was a fifty cents
piece of ice, grab the ice with his ice tongs, carry it upstairs on his shoulder, and repeat
this about every other day, depending upon the weather. No he wanted something a lot
better for his parents, and for himself, too. Maybe, some day.
Danny couldn’t find a donut, so he settled for a piece of near stale bread, and that was it
for the night. He had enough going on today, too many surprises, and as he finished his
milk and stale bread, he was suddenly exhausted, couldn’t keep his eyes open, and the
last thing that he thought about before he closed his eyes and was completely asleep, was
the meeting between his friends, and Mr. Capiloni, and the following Monday, when he
would start a new life, a dream to be fulfilled, something that he had planned on for
many years. He was going to college.
The next morning, Louie and Tony rang the door bell to Danny’s house. When Danny
looked out his bedroom window and seeing who it was, said, “be right down guys.
“Okay echoed Louie.” “Danny, Mr. Capiloni dropped by the club after we left his
office, and though maybe you were there, “said Tony, he wanted to speak with you, but
we told him that you wuz tired and went home.” “Sorry, I wasn’t there,” said Danny,
“no sweat, said Louie, he just wanted to get more acquainted withcha, and to more or less
give you an idea of what you will be doing for him, and how much money he was going
to pay ya. But he wants us to brief you, if that’s okay with you, Danny?” “Sure it is,”
replied Danny. “You know that anything you want to tell me, will always be in
confidence; you can tell me anything you want to.” “That’s why we like you Danny.
That’s why we introduced ya to Mr. Capiloni. You can bet your sweet.....if we wuznt
sure of you, we would never of let you meet him. We’ve spoken for you, that makes us
more or less responsible for ya. Do ya understand?’ It didn’t take a genius to
understand what Tony meant, and he replied, “yes, I do Tony”.
“Okay, here it is,” said Tony, “Mr. Capiloni, wants ya to take it easy till ya have a chance
to get settled in college. But he’s going to pay you starting now, so here’s a few bucks to
tide ya over for awhile.” Tony took a wad of bills from his pocket, took the rubber band
holding the bills off, and started to peel and count the bills. As he handed the money to
Danny, one by one, Danny’s eyes opened wide for he could not believe what he was
seeing. In Danny’s hand was six 20 dollar bills. Danny, in his whole life never even had
a twenty dollar bill. This was a fortune. “Whatcha say?” said Tony, “Do ya think
that’s gonna be enough to tide ya over for a few days?” “Tide me over, are you kidding.
This will last me forever. How come you’re giving me this money ?” Because Mr.
Capiloni said to. He likes ya Danny,” said Tony. He also said that he made
arrangements to pay for your college education like he said.”
Danny was speechless.” I don’t know what to say.” “Don’t say anything for now,” said
Louie, we’ll talk about it next week, after you’ve gotten settled in your college, then Mr.
Capiloni wants to see you. Danny, you’re goin ta love woikin for him. You know that
you’re the only Jewish boy that he ever let into the outfit. That’s a honor, a big honor,
and you’re not goin to regret it. Let’s just hope that he’s not goin to regret it. Okay,
Danny?” “Yes,” replied Danny. And so, it was to be.
~ To Be Continued ~
