Staten Island Noir

by Patricia Smith

  * * *

  We put on our coats, heavy gloves, and snow boots, and trudged out into the backyard. The ground was frozen, but there we were at dusk with a shovel and a pick ax in thirty-degree weather digging a hole for the white marble Madonna statue her son had given her. Unstoppable, Frankie went into the garage and came back with a lit propane torch. She handled it like a professional and passed it over a large square of earth. Tossing me a shovel, she took up a pick ax and we went to work.

  "You know what brought me to New York? A man who lied to me, cheated on me, then dumped me. Before I met my husband I didn't think I would ever be able to trust anybody again. His friends didn't approve of us because I wasn't Jewish. Raymond saved my life." A flood of tears cooled my cheeks.

  "My cannoli never had this effect on anyone before."

  "Frankie, you don't have to love that girl, but she loves him and he loves you."

  "It's okay by me if Gianni and that young lady want to have some café con leche babies so I won't have to take the cannoli recipe with me to my grave. I'll show her how to make gravy."

  "What kind of gravy? The kind you put on biscuits?"

  "Madonna! Have you got a lot to learn, Cookie." She wiped the tears from my eyes.

  "I never had a nickname before."

  "Well, Cookie, it suits you."

  We had been digging for about twenty minutes when I heard Frankie let out a low moan.

  "Madonna!"

  I looked down into the hole and saw the skull. There was a dirty Dodger's baseball cap on the ground beside her feet.

  "You bastard!" Frankie spat the words.

  "Is that your husband?" I whispered in the dark.

  "Are you nuts? That's Jackie Domino. He lived next door."

  "How do you know it's him?"

  "He wore that Dodgers cap like a flag."

  "What's he doing in your backyard?"

  "How the hell should I know? That dirty pile of bones kissed me at his sister's wedding, then bragged about it to some of his friends. I told my husband what really happened. A few days later Jackie told everyone he was taking a vacation in Florida. I never saw him again. His daughter sold the house not long after that and moved to the city."

  "Frankie, we have to call the police."

  "Not gonna happen, Marie."

  "Did you give him your cannoli recipe?"

  "Wasn't me, if that's what you're thinking. Jackie Domino was not a nice man. No class. Could've been anybody. His ex-wife, she was paying him alimony for the pleasure of not being married to him. He was a big gambler, liked to play the ponies, it could've been his bookie. He was a bully. His kids hated him too."

  "What about your husband?"

  "Ignacio? He was no saint, but I don't think he'd have killed Jackie over a kiss. Rough him up a little, no doubt, but he wouldn't have risked making me a jailhouse widow over this worthless pile of bones."

  She picked up the Dodgers hat and turned it over like she was searching for clues, then kept her head down and wept. I put my arms around her and hummed that blues song I held onto in my cloudiest hours.

  Dark was the night, cold was the ground . . .

  Without speaking another word we worked for the next several hours in the growing darkness, mixing concrete, covering up old secrets, installing the Madonna, and whispering prayers of forgiveness.

  "There are friends and there are friends who'll help you get rid of a body. Cookie, you're all right," Frankie said, biting into her third cannoli.

  She reached over and held the hand that only a few hours before had touched the bones of Jackie Domino.

  PART II

  FIGHT OR FLIGHT

  MISTAKES

  BY MICHAEL PENNCAVAGE

  The Ferry

  In life sometimes the tiniest mistakes have the greatest consequences. That's the problem with mistakes. You can't control them. You can't prevent them.

  They just happen.

  Like this one.

  You're at a bar over in SoHo. It's one of the nice ones. You know the type. Smoking isn't allowed but it's got a huge outdoor terrace. Palm trees and tropical plants sway in the warm night breeze. Inside, scented oxygenated air runs through the ventilation system to make you feel invigorated and get you in a drinking mood. The employees have wide smiles and can-do attitudes. This isn't one of those joints with the dollar drink specials. And you would never ever think of venturing inside. Well, maybe in the past. When you were younger and looking to see just what this town had to offer. Maybe even prove yourself a little.

  But not anymore.

  Tonight is Ben's bachelor party. He's the first of you to get hitched. Maybe someday when more of you are married, bachelor parties will be occasions of dullness and drudgery. But not now. Not this one. The way everyone is acting, it's like you are all getting married in three Sundays.

  There's eight of you celebrating. It's a small group but large enough to be noticed. Everyone is dressed to impress. Everyone is dressed to kill. You've hired a stretch limousine and it makes everyone feel like a celebrity. You tipped the driver generously earlier in the night and he's now at your beck and call.

  This is the fourth bar you're hitting tonight. Or maybe it's the fifth. They're beginning to blend together. But the sun hasn't risen yet so it can't be that late.

  There's a boxing match on the television above the bar. A title belt is being decided. A small crowd is watching it intently. You catch the bartender slip a Benjamin into a money pouch and you realize he's taking side bets. You watch the fight until the round ends. Harold, one of the guys in the bachelor party, glances over at you. "What do you think?"

  You shrug your shoulders. "Not bad."

  "I bet you could whip either of their asses." He takes a swig of beer and staggers back one step.

  "You're drunk."

  "You want to place a bet?"

  "No."

  "Fine. I will then. Who's your money on?"

  "I'm not sure."

  "Don't bullshit me. You know who's going to win."

  "Is that right?" You fold your arms. With each bar Harold has become more irritating. He can't hold his alcohol worth a damn.

  Ben walks over to the group. He's beaming. "I have a confession to make. I've known the owner of this place for a few years."

  "So?"

  "He's given us an invitation into the back room. They got a craps table back there."

  "Are you out of your mind?" one the group says.

  "It's my bachelor party. Come on. It'll be fun. Just a few tosses of the dice. That's all I'm asking."

  The group argues this for another minute before Ben wins out. After all, it's his night.

  You all dutifully follow through the security checkpoints. They check IDs and pat down each of you for weapons. You've made it this far without getting separated. No sense in starting now.

  The back room is small. A craps table is in the center, surrounded by a pair of poker and roulette tables. Security is everywhere and the pit boss warily keeps an eye on both the players and the observers. How this place hasn't been busted is a complete mystery. You guess the room can be broken down and the machines removed in minutes if the owners feel the Heat coming down.

  The table bet is so steep it's criminal. Mark pulls two hundred from his wallet and the croupier slides over a feeble stack of chips. There's some serious money at play. A woman has on a diamond necklace worth more than an average person's house. She's got three stacks of chips so tall they'd knock someone out if they fell over. A man standing across from you is wearing a suit worth two week's pay. He tosses a small stack of Benjamins toward the croupier as an afterthought.

  You look around in amazement, not believing that places like this actually exist. You are in a different world. The people in here are out of your league. Way out of your league.

  Someone hands Ben the dice. He takes a generous sip of scotch for good luck and gives the two six-siders a whirl. They come up with a five and a six. Money all around. A few claps
come from the crowd. He gives the dice a second roll. Similar results. Folks at the table emit a small whoop of joy. The man standing to Ben's left is wearing the largest Stetson you've ever seen. He pats Ben on the shoulder. With a flick of the wrist the stickman slides the dice across the green felt table. Ben grabs the pair, blows some warm air into his fist, and lets them fly. They bounce off the bumpers and start heading back to him. They stop after a few turns. For a moment the crowd is speechless. "Yo-leven," replies one of the croupiers. Ben takes a short bow and the crowd erupts. Passersby stop, snared by the commotion. The house begins distributing winnings across the table.

  Three more tosses of the dice and you're amazed at how quickly fortunes have turned. The table is packed now. Others want in on the action. You take a step back so they can join in. It's a half-step, really. But it's enough to knock into the person passing behind. It feels like your shoulder has struck a concrete brick. Manners have always been your strong suit and you quickly turn to apologize.

  The man isn't big. He's immense. At least six foot six and probably twice your weight. He's got an entourage and you're suddenly staring up at what looks like the defensive unit of a football team.

  There's a large red stain on the man's white suit jacket. A stain you suspect you're responsible for. The man looks down at his chest. His upper lip begins to curl, like a dog whose tail you just stepped on. Veins pop out on his brow and across the sides of his shaved head. He looks like someone just shot his mother.

  "I'm really sorry about that," you stammer. "My fault completely."

  The man flicks his hand at his chest as if expecting to whisk away the spot. "You're damn straight it's your fault. This jacket set me back eight hundred dollars." Baldy is quickly flanked by two of his crew, making him look like the runt of the litter. One of them peers over his shoulder. His eyes narrow. Disgust is in his voice. "Man. That suit is fucked up. You might as well go throw it away."

  You look into the guy's eyes. You've seen this before. A sinking feeling settles into the pit of your stomach. Things are rapidly deteriorating. "You can send me the cleaning bill. I'd be more than happy to pay it."

  "What the hell good is that going to do me now? Me and my boys were going to hit some more clubs and score some ass. Can't do that if I'm smelling like shit."

  Harold walks up alongside of you, as does the rest of your group. Mark has handed off the dice and grabbed his winnings. For a moment the two groups stare one another down. Sweat forms on your brow.

  Baldy mutters something under his breath and turns to go. You sigh with relief. He's leaving.

  "Pussy."

  The comment comes from Harold. He's the biggest guy in your group—as tall as Baldy, but at least fifty pounds lighter.

  Baldy's antennae catch the signal. He whirls around, teeth clenched, face red. He points a finger at you. "You're a dead man." You open your mouth to say that it's a misunderstanding. That Harold has had at least six gin and tonics too many. But Baldy and his posse are gone.

  You look over at Harold. He's already moved on. You realize he probably doesn't even remember what he just said.

  Ben walks over and slaps you on the back. "You okay?"

  "Sure. No problem."

  "Don't worry about those meatheads. A few more drinks in them and they'll lose whatever brain cells they have left." He thumbs back over to the craps table. "You want to have another whirl with me? I'm hot tonight, baby! Hot!"

  You shake your head. "I'm going to get a drink."

  You leave the gambling room and head over to the bar. A band is playing on a small elevated stage. The lead singer, a woman in her late twenties with short, jet-black hair, isn't half bad. She's belting out an INXS song.

  The bartender serves up a seltzer with a splash of cranberry. You used to drink. Heavily. But that was during the Foolish Days, as you now refer them to. These days you know better. You know much better.

  Three songs in and you're starting to feel a little more relaxed, a little more at ease. The singer has moved on to some Rolling Stones and the replay of the Yankees game is going your way.

  "Sympathy for the Devil" is being belted out when you roll your neck to work out a small cramp. You notice Baldy talking to one of his friends at the far corner of the bar. Things go from bad to worse when you realize that two more of his goon squad are at a table to your right. Their beers are evaporating faster than they are drinking them. They're trying their best to look disinterested in you but are failing miserably.

  You wonder where your friends are right now. The club is mammoth. You consider texting Ben but reconsider. They're all three sheets to the wind by now. That would just make things worse. You don't need a riot on your hands.

  Baldy is staring straight at you. Fury is in his face. There's no mistaking it. You've seen it many times before. He's going to make his move. You glance at your watch. It's really late. Dawn is fast approaching. You can try to wait him out in hopes the alcohol will cause him to lose interest.

  Five minutes pass and your patience begins to wear thin. You look around but your bachelor party is nowhere to be seen. Have they left without you? You glance at your watch. You came in on the ferry. The next one leaves in about thirty minutes.

  You drop some bills on the bar, grab your jacket, and leave.

  * * *

  There's a slight breeze in the night air. It's been a long day and it's refreshing. The ferry terminal is about twenty blocks away. If you pace yourself you can get there in time. A taxi speeds by. You consider hailing it but you need the exercise.

  You get to Whitehall Terminal with a few minutes to spare. Above the entranceway, the ten-foot-tall, blue-block letters spelling out Staten Island Ferry feel like they are inviting you in. The terminal is apocalyptically empty, which makes it feel even larger than usual. The only people around are those passed out on the floor who don't know or care that their way off Manhattan is leaving soon, stranding them for another hour.

  You pass through the waiting area, pass beneath the yellow LED sign telling you to Have a nice day, and make your way onto the ferry.

  The metal and wood bench seats are hard and uncomfortable but they do the job of keeping you awake. The ferry, like the terminal, is eerily quiet. The overhead lighting is glaringly bright when compared to the outside darkness.

  The engines roar to life and the ferry captain slowly guides the boat away from the pier. The floorboards begin to vibrate. Even the windows rattle. You wonder how the boat hasn't sunk to the bottom of the harbor by now. Shouts of alarm can be heard outside as the ferry pulls away. Someone is being yelled at. The distance between you and the dock quickly widens.

  A few weary souls are peppered throughout the deck. The vessel is emptier than you've ever seen it. But then again, it'll be dawn soon.

  You'll be in Staten Island in twenty-five minutes, but between the walk and long night of numerous seltzer waters, your bladder demands attention. Reluctantly, you decide to hunt out the men's room.

  The stench hits you even before you reach the door. For a moment you contemplate trying to find another one. Maybe it'll be more sanitary. But you really have to go, so you begin breathing through your mouth and hope that it looks better than it smells.

  Inside, from the way the floor is rattling, you would think the engine room is right below your feet. You pick the cleanest stall and hope you don't come down with a case of shy-bladder syndrome. The boat is swaying more than usual and you clutch the stall railing as if you were riding a bronco.

  Once you've finished, you unlock and open the stall door. Immediately you wish that you hadn't.

  Baldy is leaning against the sink, his arms crossed. He takes the toothpick out of his mouth and flicks it onto the floor. For a moment you think it's an illusion. But then the illusion starts to talk.

  "That was pretty tricky of you, trying to give me the slip. But I found out which direction you were heading." He sneers. "And you were dressed like someone who lives on Staten Island. Jumped onto the
boat just as it was sliding away from the dock." He cracks his knuckles. "You have no idea how long it's been since I did some ass-kicking." He ponders that for a moment. "At least five weeks, I think."

  You look to the exit door. His buddies aren't there.

  "Don't worry about us being interrupted. I've got a janitor's cart blocking the doorway. We should have enough alone time before anyone gets curious."

  "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. I promise to get that shirt dry-cleaned."

  "Jacket. You fucked up my jacket."

  "Hey. No problem. I'll dry-clean them both."

  "Shut up. You sound pathetic."

  "I'm really not looking for any trouble."

  "Well, you certainly found it." He steps a little closer and you can smell the reek of alcohol on his breath. There's not going to be any reasoning with him.

  Baldy cracks his knuckles again, forms two fists, and you think, How did it come to this?

  He takes another step forward. His massive frame blocks out the sink lights behind him. You take a step backward. Take another and you'll find yourself back inside the stall. You consider that for a moment, but it would only provide a barrier for a minute at most, before he rips the door off the hinges. You look to the ceiling. There're security cameras on the ferry, but none in here.

  Baldy brings his pair of sledgehammers into view. His left is above his right. You take him for a southpaw. He swings. You duck and he slams his fist into the stall door, shaking it violently. This serves to enrage him even more.

  He shoots out a left hook. You spin sideways and it passes by your ear. The move has boxed you in somewhat and reflexes kick in. You throw a hard right jab. Nothing fancy, but you put your weight behind it and twist your hips and remember to retract it a little, just like you were trained.

  Or at least that's the plan.

  As your punch is unleashed, Baldy makes an unexpected move. He steps in closer, thinking he can hit you better. It's something an amateur or a drunk would do. During your days in the ring, you would never expect someone to do that. Certainly not at the beginning of a bout when the fighter still has his wits about him.