Later that night, Henry thought he was alone, cleaning counters and putting stuff away at the end of the night.
He heard a toilet flush and looked over to see Vito emerge from the employee washroom.
“Oh, hi,” Henry said, embarrassed at how his surprise and nervousness at seeing the man caused his voice to go higher. He gave a final swipe to the stainless prep counter with a cloth and straightened up. It was time to go home.
“I said hi,” Henry repeated when Vito didn’t answer but merely moved toward the messenger bag he kept on a hook by the back door. Henry was surprised at himself. Vito was nothing if not intimidating, and Henry couldn’t believe he had the nerve to call out even this tiny slight. “You know, you could speak when spoken to.” Look at me. I’m on a roll.
Vito slid his kniv
