Dinner at Fiorello's

Chapter 2-4

“Well, they can’t. I’m eighteen.” Henry knew she was right. They would try to stop him. And he was dreading telling them.

“So go on. Get out of here. We need someone right away, so I’m only giving you until tomorrow to answer me. But I don’t want you to make up your mind until then. I really want you to think about what you’re doing. As I said, we’re not in a position to offer college kids summer jobs. I’ll be mad as hell if you work here the summer and then leave for school. I got a long list of applicants who I’m pretty sure won’t do that to me.

“So you take today and tonight and think real hard about this. Talk to your parents. See if I’m wrong about them. And then come back here tomorrow and tell me what you wanna do.”

Henry already knew what he wanted to do but could tell Rosalie was not the type of woman who would appreciate his going against her. He nodded. “Okay. That’s good advice—” His voice trailed off as he wondered what he should call her. “—Mrs. Fiorello.” He decided now was not the time to ask if it was okay if he used her first name.

Henry sat there for a few minutes, not saying anything but enjoying the moment.

Rosalie looked up at him. “Kid. I got work to do here. Vattènne!”

Henry stood quickly. He didn’t know Italian, but he knew enough from the context and the way she shooed him with her hand that it meant to go away.

“Thank you, Mrs. Fiorello. I’ll be by tomorrow.”

She nodded and didn’t look up from the papers she was sorting through. “Sure you will.”