Theo Tonin's eyes flitted between his son and his employees for one moment. Then two. Then three. Almost without realizing, his hand came up with it.
The ear.
The ear had belonged to a two-bit hustler named Kenny "Studsey" Sturbridge. Studsey had a bit of a problem, he never learnt to use his ears and mouth in the correct 2:1 ratio. Theo hadn't been more than 22 when Studsey decided that Theo had cheated him in a pool game. And he might have. It was a subjective thing. But if Studsey had shut his mouth and called it even when that blissful opportunity had been offered then there wouldn't be the ear.
Theo had called his shot. One cushion, corner pocket. Studsey, being Studsey, had chuckled, blown smoke from his Black & Mild in Theo's face and upped the bet to $200. All well and acceptable for this moment in time. Theo had a lot of time and a lot of patience. He'll get to Studsey, in time, so he bent for his shot. But then Studsey had to start laughing at one of his boys and he smacked the table with his big stupid hand and the ball cradled and then fell.
And then hell broke loose.
Theo didn't remember who went for whom first. He recalled that calm before the storm. The fierce eye contact between 'em. Rage versus rage. All he knew was at the end of it he had Studsey's ear and Studsey wasn't complaining anymore.
Now, Theo looked at Studsey's ear. It lived in Theo's pocket now. In his robe or suit coat, always available whenever Theo needed an attentive ear. It was an ugly, misshapen thing. Crispy with age. Colored like one of his mother's dust rags. He'll have to get another, pondered absently.
Bringing it to his lips, "I will never understand what is so difficult about doing what you're told. I give a fucking order and you do it, what's so hard?" He continued in this vein as Sarno, newly released from his parole violation, calmed Sammy and the other one, Terry? Tommy? Whatever. "How fuckin' difficult is it to find someone to do what I tell them? Or can they just not hear me? Am I not loud enough?"
"Sir," Sarno stepped in calmly, "It's under control. Sammy and I," he glanced at a frightened Sammy, "we'll take care of it."
Theo dropped his hand but kept the ear out, as Sarno continued assuring him that everything would be fine. Even as this damn silver star was tearing apart his past in Kentucky. Even as his interstate hooks were weakening. Sarno had everything under control.
What a lucky, fuckin' bastard he was. Huh, Studsey?