Just Kiss Me. Kathleen O'Reilly

badge and uniform. Even letting the neighborhood kids fool with the squad car’s siren. You should’ve seen it.”

      Friar Tuck winked at Amanda. “Good evening, Joseph Barrington. Aren’t you going to introduce us to your lady-friend?”

      Joe waved them off. “Not tonight, guys.”

      They joined together in a chorus of catcalls. They looked like such nice men, and Amanda thought it might be rather fun to share a stoop at midnight with Joe.

      “Could we sit for awhile?”

      Joe’s eyes widened. “You want to?”

      More than she wanted to go home and be alone. “Sure.” She stuck out her hand to older man. “Amanda Sedgewick.”

      “Vincent D’Antoni,” he said, taking her hand and kissing it.

      Friar Tuck smiled, exposing sparkling white teeth. How did he manage that? “Bernie Zaluski.”

      Amanda nodded politely, still wondering about the teeth. Were they dentures? “Very pleased to meet you.”

      “Charmed, I’m sure.” He held out the bag. “Thirsty?”

      Amanda glanced over at Joe, who settled himself two steps below the men and shrugged. “Thank you.” She sat down next to Joe and took the bag, swallowing one mouthful, and then nearly choked at the chalky liquid. “What is this?”

      “Maalox and Schnapps. At my age, you want to save all the time you can.” Bernie patted his round stomach.

      Joe started to laugh.

      “Bernie, mind your manners. A lady is on the stoop tonight.” Vincent sighed, wiping his forehead with his handkerchief. “Looks like it’s going to be a hot summer.”

      Bernie handed him the bag. “One of the worst. Remember ’83? Oy. And the brownouts. I went to bed every night knowing that I’d died and gone to hell.”

      “If I was married to Edith, I’d think I’d died and gone to hell every night, too.” Vincent scratched his chest hair tufts, sighing with satisfaction. “You know, my first child was conceived during those brownouts. God bless her.”

      “Elizabeth.”

      Vincent nodded. “The very one.” He still had a smile on his face when he turned to Joe. “How’s La Guardia Treating you? Where’s my Lincoln?”

      Joe reached into his wallet and handed over a five-dollar bill. “The actuator. I can’t believe you were right. I thought it was the coupler.”

      “It does my heart good to know an old man can still take advantage of you young whipper-snappers every now and again.” Vincent winked at Amanda. “I worked at La Guardia for forty years. Finally retired when Reagan was elected. Joe tell you about his lessons?”

      Joe hunched his shoulders over. “Not now, Vincent.”

      “You haven’t told Ms. Sedgewick about your career ambitions?”

      Bernie cuffed Vincent on the shoulder. “Vincent. Sshh.”

      Amanda’s ears perked up. “What career aspirations?”

      “It’s nothing. Vincent,” Joe glared meaningfully.

      Amanda wasn’t going to let Vincent off that easy, though. “Please tell me.”

      Vincent pursed his lips. “Nope, my loyalty is to Joseph. If he says it’s his personal business, who am I to argue?”