Accidental Mobster by M. M. Cox Page A

is hated and feared by everyone .
    I asked Vince why Tommy was so intimidating, especially when I personally know that Tommy is beatable—any decent wrestler or boxer could take him down. Vince chose to ignore the question, which has only increased my curiosity. I now know that the Gallo family is not only connected to Gino in some way, but that they hold a certain degree of power that can force Joe Saviano to back away from a kid who just hit his daughter. But I, unlike the others, am not going to worry about Tommy’s connections. I’m an outsider, and even if I’m living at the Vigliotti’s house, I’m disconnected from them. I don’t know who Tommy’s dad is, and I don’t care.
    As though my thoughts cause him to materialize, Tommy suddenly appears in the school hall. He is flanked by his torpedo-like friend who fought Vince as well as an extremely tall kid with white blond hair. I know I can’t just start fighting, at least, not here in the school hallway. But the look on Tommy’s face hints that he obviously feels we have some unfinished business. I remember Tommy striking Portia and feel angry all over again. Portia is stiff beside me; she must be thinking about what Tommy did to her too. However, I decide, with some difficulty, to let Tommy make the first move.
    Tommy studies me, but he doesn’t appear angry—he appears smug. That worries me more than anything else. What does Tommy know that I don’t? I pretty much beat Tommy in our fight; shouldn’t he be angry? He takes a step toward me, and I feel Portia surge forward. She also has some unfinished business, but I instinctively hold her back by the arm, not wanting her to get hurt by Tommy again. Tommy laughs at my protective action, and Portia stomps on my foot, forcing me to let go. She steps away from me and scowls.
    â€œSo, the gutter-rat is making a play for the used-car hottie. Isn’t that really pathetic?”
    Tommy’s buddies laugh at his lame joke, but the rest of us remain motionless. I am uneasy about Tommy’s new nickname for me. What does this kid know? Tommy reaches his hand toward me; he holds a piece of folded paper in it. I lean forward cautiously and take it, expecting to be rushed at any moment. I keep the note in my hand but don’t unfold it, and Tommy smirks. “See you after school!” he says, turning away from us and walking down the hall, the other bullies trailing behind him.
    Portia makes a short, irritated noise and turns to me. “Why did you stop me, Danny?”
    she asks heatedly.
    â€œI thought you wanted me to protect you guys,” I reply.
    â€œI do. It’s just—well—he deserves to be smacked in the face!”
    I try not to smile but can’t help myself. That is the first unkind comment I have heard from Portia. And I agree wholeheartedly with her; Tommy deserves to be smacked.
    â€œWhat’s on the paper?” Tony asks.
    I glance down at the paper and slowly unfold it, wondering what Tommy would write to me.
    â€œI’m surprised he can write at all,” Tony says, half jokingly. I lift my head and grin, surprised by Tony’s attempt at humor. Tony gives me a weak smile back. We may be able to get along, I think, but of course, that depends on where Portia decides to direct her affection. I could never be friends with Tony if Tony were Portia’s boyfriend. Then I read the note, and suddenly, my competition with Tony seems like the least of my worries.
    â€œWhat does it say?” Portia asks.
    I hand her the note. “He wants me to meet him.”
    Portia reads the note slowly. “Meet me in the gym after school, or prepare to have everyone know who you really are.” She purses her lips together. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    I shake my head. “I have no idea,” I answer, but in my mind I think I may have an idea. It couldn’t be the fight we had last