Tony Partly Cloudy by Nick Rollins Page B

watch, but it also reminded Tony of exactly who he’d been playing poker with for the last few years.
    Jimmy went on to introduce Frankie to the others. Danny scowled as he shook Frankie’s hand, while Bobby declined to shake, saying, “You’re better off not touching me – you don’t want to catch what I got. I could go any minute. Just like this.” Bobby snapped his finger for emphasis, a gesture that prompted Jimmy to roll his eyes.
    “Hey, Pops,” Tony finally said, when he felt he wouldn’t be interrupting.
    “Hey, Tony – how you doin’? You ready to play some cards?”
    Tony smiled, still getting accustomed to the concept of actually liking his father. He had always loved him. But this liking – this was new.
    “Bring it on,” said Tony. “Have a seat, and I’ll get you a beer.”
    It was a good night. Frankie hit it off well with Jimmy, and told some of his classic dirty jokes during the game. One of these jokes launched Bobby Six Months into a bout of combined laughter and coughing so severe that for a moment it looked like maybe his six months was finally up. But he came up for air, and was soon finding something or other to complain about.
    At the end of the evening, Frankie stayed after the others left, lounging on the couch and smoking while Tony straightened up.
    “Tony, that was a good time,” he said. “Thanks for calling me.”
    “Hey, no problem, Pops. I’m glad you could make it. So, what did you think? I mean, they’re okay guys, aren’t they?”
    Frankie smiled. “Well, I think Jimmy is. Those other two I don’t know about. That Bobby guy – Christ, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy so freakin’ unhealthy-looking.”
    Tony laughed. “Yeah, well, a man in his condition – he could go any minute. Just like this .” Tony’s finger-snap punctuated the word, drawing a smoky chuckle from his father
    After a long but not uncomfortable silence, Frankie said, “Tony, listen. I gotta tell you, I was impressed by how you handled yourself tonight.”
    Tony stopped washing beer mugs, and turned to face his father.
    “Those guys,” Frankie continued, “it’s obvious they like you. They don’t just tolerate you – they actually like you.” Frankie shrugged and said, “Well, maybe not Danny Mouthwash. I don’t think he likes anything! I mean, Jesus – what did he call you when you beat him with those two pairs?”
    Tony thought for a second. “I think he said I was a goat-sucking cocknipple.”
    Frankie laughed. “Was that before or after he told Bobby Six Months to go blow a pregnant Doberman?”
    Joining in the laughter, Tony said, “And how about you? You were what – a douche-witted pus-knuckle? What the hell is that? I thought for sure you were going to tear his head off.”
    Frankie shook his head, his smile fading. “Nah – you just gotta remember who these guys are. I mean, you know that, don’t you, Tony? You gotta never forget who these guys are. Never.”
    “I know, Pops,” Tony said, thinking of the Burberry overcoat that hung in his closet. “I know.”
    Nearly finished with the cleanup, Tony joined his father on the couch, bringing with him two bottles of beer. He set one on the coffee table in front of Frankie.
    Taking the proffered beer, Frankie said, “Anyways, like I was saying, you’re doing good here. You know how to handle yourself.”
    Tony was shocked to be receiving so much praise. Coming from a guy like Frankie, this was about a two-year supply, all delivered in the space of five minutes.
    “Thanks, Pops. I appreciate that.”
    Frankie got a fresh cigarette going, then asked, “So what’s next? I mean, this is your last year of school, am I right?”
    “Yeah,” Tony said, “I should be getting out at the end of May, beginning of June.”
    “Then what?”
    Tony shrugged. “Then I look for a job. Well, actually I’ll start looking a few months before I graduate. Sometimes the people at Kean can help you line up a job in