Bloodbrothers by Richard Price Page A

where he is, when he's comin' home,
if
he's comin' home and the fuckin' kid has the balls to sign the letter: 'Smile, Jesus loves you. Matthew.'"
    "Oh Christ."
    "The kid dropped outta New York University. Not a word,
nothin'.
" Banion poured himself a drink. "You know that goddamn kid was only a junior and got accepted to dental school awready? Can you believe that? He's so goddamn smart he got accepted a year early. All he had to do was finish up his junior year an' he was in. Full scholarship, Chubby,
full
scholarship. You have any idea how he broke his parents' hearts? Dave's wife had a nervous breakdown. Dave's older kid, Ronnie, drove off to Arkansas to find his brother and drag his ass back home. Dave was in here last night. Drinkin' like a fish. The poor guy's whole life fell apart. He runs outta here, an hour later comes runnin' back in, his shirt's all ripped, pantin' like a bull, ten minutes later three cops come in, they take him outta here at gunpoint, poor guy's cryin' like a baby. One a the cops tells me what happened. You ever see those Harry Krishner creeps that dance around in fronna the shoppin' center on Central Avenue? Seems like Dave was drivin' around, saw them and went nuts, you know Harry Krishner, Jesus Freaks, what's the difference? Dave jumps outta his car, grabs a crowbar. Three a them wound up in the hospital. The cops chased him all the way back here. A couple a the guys went down to the station, explained to the judge what's been goin' on, the judge set bail at fifty bucks. They chipped in an' took him home."
    "I tell you, Banion, these days, I thank God I don't got kids. Poor Dave. How's his wife?"
    Banion shrugged. "Hard to say, I think she'll be O.K." He poured Chubby and himself another. "It's a knife in their hearts, Chubby, a knife in their hearts."
    "Big Dave," Chubby muttered. "Don't you feel the same way?"
    "What?"
    "About havin' kids. Don't you feel glad you don't got any?"
    Banion looked grimly at Chubby. "I got a kid. Chubby."
    "You do? How come you never say nothin'?"
    "Nothin' to say ... kicked him out three years ago." Banion busied himself washing clean glasses.
    "How come?"
    "Paul's a fag," Banion said offhandedly. "He's a fuckin' fag."
    Chubby felt a rush of dizziness like he'd felt with Sylvia that night. His hands and feet tingled and his eyes wouldn't focus. "What ... uh ... how you know?" His voice sounded weak.
    Banion glared at him. "Don't fuckin' ask me how I know. I know, I know, is all." Chubby walked to the john. When he came out Banion was sitting behind the bar, his back to Chubby, his hands resting in his lap. He wheeled the chair around. "You're right, though, Chub. These days ... these days people without kids should thank God."
    They sat in silence through three more drinks until Chubby eased himself off his stool and headed for the door.
    "Chubby?" Chubby turned around. "Don't say nothin', O.K.?"

7
    S TONY GOT UP early Monday morning. He and Butler had promised Chili Mac they'd help him move into his own place near D'Artagnan's. When Stony got out of bed Albert was already watching cartoons. His old man had split for work and his mother was still sleeping. When he passed her bedroom she was tossing and turning, making weird moaning noises in her sleep. Stony shrugged and left the house.
    ***
    Marie dreamed that she was sitting naked in her mother's house on the brocade piano stool. Her parents were standing in back of her laughing hysterically. She was glad they were happy and started laughing along with them. Her mother said between guffaws, "Don't worry, Marie, Doctor Marcus will be here any minute." Marie got scared. She hated Doctor Marcus. "Why is he coming?" she asked.
    "Because look!" they both cried, pointing to her back. Then they doubled over with renewed laughter. Marie reached behind her back; her fingers touched something soft and sticky. She ran to the mirror and screamed. Her spine had split open from the base of her skull to a point above her