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Chapter Three: The Oddballs Without Chemistry

At McCready's Auto Repair Shop, Tony popped the hood of a pickup and waved at the boss, who was chilling in the driver's seat, to rev the engine so he could check it out.

But Anderson, the shop owner and head mechanic, didn't hit the gas like he usually did in their routine.

Tony glanced up at Anderson, confused. "I thought we were so in sync we could go on that TV show 'Perfect Partners' together."

Anderson grinned, munching on a cheap sandwich. "The guy who's really in sync with you is over by the door."

Tony turned and saw his brother Tommy standing at the entrance.

"He's the only oddball in the Hawk family who doesn't get me," Tony muttered, pulling off his gloves. "I'll be right back, Anderson."

"Sure thing, just make sure you get this car fixed today," Anderson nodded.

"Yeah, yeah," Tony said, tossing his gloves onto the engine and walking over to Tommy. "Look at that, the future rocket scientist, professor, and whatever other fancy titles Mr. Hawk has. What brings you here?"

"I need to borrow a car," Tommy said, pulling out a cigarette and offering one to Tony.

Tony blinked, taking the cigarette. "You don't need a car to go to school."

"I need to make some money so I don't end up on the streets, being exploited by you and Dad," Tommy said, lighting his cigarette.

Tony clapped and grinned. "Finally get it, huh? You should've ditched that crappy high school ages ago! Want a long-term job? I got a good lead. Oh, and you should move back tonight. We'll throw a party to celebrate you dropping out and let—"

"I didn't drop out. Just took a day off. I need a car with a full tank and maybe two hundred bucks. If not, I can borrow from Rubi in the Italian community, but first, I need a car," Tommy said, exhaling smoke.

Tony looked around and then at his cigarette. "Kid, are you nuts? Borrowing money from Rubi? Two hundred bucks? You know their interest rates are insane, right?"

"I need some capital. If all goes well, I might pay it back before dinner," Tommy shrugged.

Tony's face got serious. "What kind of business, Tommy? What kind of business?"

"A small business, a student's small business," Tommy said earnestly.

"I already advanced my salary from Anderson to bail out Dad yesterday. Can't ask him for more, but... the car's no problem, and the money's no problem. Wait here," Tony said, biting his cigarette and walking over to Anderson.

After a quick chat with Anderson, Tony got into an orange Chevy sedan in the shop and drove it to the entrance. He rolled down the window and nodded at Tommy. "Get in, bro. We're gonna get the money."

Tommy hopped in the passenger seat. "Going to Rubi's to borrow money is no different with or without you. He knows me."

"But I'm your brother, kid. You can only get that money from me. If I go to Rubi, it avoids him giving you trouble," Tony said, gripping the steering wheel and looking straight ahead. "I'm your brother."

Warwick's a small town, population around eighty thousand. It's mostly Irish, with some Italians, English, and a small percentage of Black folks and other races.

Even with its small size, Warwick's got two big gangs: the Irish Charleston Gang and the Italian New England Mafia.

As for Black gangs causing trouble like in other cities? In Rhode Island, Black folks seem more gentlemanly than Whites. Whites can hit and kill someone with a car and plead not guilty, but if a Black person gets caught peeing in public, they face a mob of White neighbors and get forced out of town.

The 3% Black population in Warwick is so well-behaved by the 95% White population that they seem more like the loyal, hardworking slaves of the city than their ancestors who were sold across America after landing in Rhode Island.

The Italian community mainly hangs out in the southern part of Warwick. Rubi, the guy Tommy mentioned, is tied to the New England Mafia.

But for most folks in Warwick, the Irish and Italian gangs are no big deal. Many might never even deal with them. These gangs have moved away from extortion and protection rackets, focusing on illegal casinos, smuggling, gambling, running bars, and loan sharking.

Rubi's a friendly Italian guy, at least on the surface. He runs a handmade leather goods shop, and many Italians borrow money from him when they're short. As long as they repay on time, everything's cool.

"Rubi," Tony said, pushing open the leather shop door and greeting Rubi, who was inside wearing a leather apron and making a belt by hand.

Rubi looked up at Tony and Tommy. "Tony, Tommy, long time no see."

"I ran into some trouble, so..." Tony began.

"Come on, Tony, just say it. We're all Italians here. Everyone who comes to see me has trouble. Just tell me how much you need," Rubi interrupted, smiling as he continued measuring the belt.

Tony exhaled. "Two hundred dollars. I need two hundred dollars."

"OK," Rubi said, putting down his ruler and walking to a safe in the corner. He took out ten twenty-dollar bills, locked the safe, and handed the money to Tony.

Tony reached for it, but Rubi didn't let go. Instead, he smiled at Tony. "Tony, how long do you need it for?"

"Tonight... before your leather shop closes?" Tony looked uncertainly at Tommy, then said.

"You need to return two hundred and twenty dollars. I don't like short-term loans, so the interest is higher," Rubi said, looking at Tony. "Deal?"

"Deal," Tony nodded. Rubi let go, allowing Tony to take the two hundred dollars.

With the money in hand, the two walked out of the shop. Rubi continued measuring the belt and said, "I have dinner at seven tonight, so if you can't find me here and plan to bring the money to my house, it'll be two hundred and forty-two dollars."

Outside the shop, Tony handed the money to Tommy, who put it in his pocket. "I'll pay it back before tonight."

"Well, now you can go do your student business," Tony said, lighting a cigarette and taking a puff, smiling at Tommy.

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