9
The next afternoon, Richie sat across from his mother at her kitchen table. He brought her a box of Napoleons, cannoli, and éclairs from Victoria Pastry in North Beach. It was her favorite bakery shop, and he knew he was going to have to keep on her good side when he gave her his news.
She poured large mugs of coffee for them both, and then split a cannoli and a Napoleon, putting half of each on their plates.
“This is so good, Richie,” she said, taking a big bite of the cannoli. “Now, what’s going on? I know you didn’t bring me all this because you think I’m too skinny and need the calories.”
Richie nodded. They understood each other well. “I don’t think the building inspector is going to back off. He’s furious that Benedetta threw him out of the house. He’s insulted. But that aside,
