Chapter 10

When Tommy's phone rang at half past six in the morning, he rolled over and let out a low groan.

"If this isn't to tell me someone is dead, someone's gonna die," Tommy groaned into his pillow. "Yeah?" He answered shortly into the phone receiver.

"Tommy?" Bob's voice came in clearly over the line.

"Bob, this better be fuckin' good. It's not even seven yet." Tommy growled.

"Oh shit," Bob gasped. "Sorry Tom, I wasn't thinkin' when I dialed. I can call you back later."

"No, I'm up now. Whaddya want?"

"Well, Frankie and Nick loved your song so much, they want to record it and put it on an album with a whole set." Bob explained cheerfully.

"Super, have fun with that," Tommy replied with his face still half buried in pillows.

"Nick and I are coming back to Belleville to record, and we really hoped you'd come back to help out. I mean, we are the Four Seasons."

"Are we," Tommy asked. "I didn't think we'd been the Seasons since what, Nick leaving the group? My exile to Vegas? Or was it earlier than that, maybe when half of the seasons decided to start doing their own thing?"

"Tommy, come off it," Bob sighed. "We don't have time to go rounds on this. It's probably going to be the last project we'll be able to do together. Please come back home."

Tommy sighed deeply, but didn't respond.

"I got some information out of Nicky, and well, I have a thing that I know only you could help with. That is assuming you're still in contact with Gyp's brother," Bob set the bait out.

"You've got my attention," Tommy finally responded. "Look, I have an appointment this mornin' with the doctah. I'll talk to him about flyin' out there."

"Great," Bob exclaimed. "We're having lunch over at Frankie's with Toni and Fran. Just call over there when you get the flight information."

"You gotta tell me more about Nicky and this job," Tommy ordered.

"Nicky made me swear not to tell so I am just gonna give you the barest of details," Bob explained carefully.

"If Nicky doesn't want you tellin' then don't tell me, just…is he okay?" Tommy interrupted.

"He's a bit depressed, but we're working on that. I think things are going to get much better for him. There is one thing you can do though for'im though. I don't want to tell him we're doing this, and it is so much more your area than mine…"

"Hence Nunzio DeCarlo…" Tommy propped himself up and popped a couple Tylenol. "You know the mob isn't known for handing out antidepressants."

"Maybe not, but they are good at getting rid of pests."

"So you're askin' me to proposition Nunzio to do a hit for Nicky," Tommy asked. "That's a pretty big order Bob."

"No, no, no," Bob exclaimed. "Nothing like that."

"Glad to hear," Tommy grinned. "Cause if someone out there was givin' Nicky that much grief, I'd take 'em out myself."

"Can't Nunzio just kinda put some pressure on someone to back off, stop making stupid threats, and divorce someone else?"

"Margie's givin' Nicky grief," Tommy muttered.

"I didn't say anything," Bob clarified.

"No you didn't," Tommy placated. "How's she threatin'im?"

"Talking about cleanin' him out and taking Gina from Silvio for good." Bob explained briefly.

"Silvio and Nina have been raisin' those kids good," Tommy sputtered. "How could she do that?"

"You got me," Bob shook his head. "Nick knows the kids have a good thing goin' at his brother's so he's givin' Margie whatever she wants just to protect them."

"That bitch," Tommy growled. "I can't swear I won't do somethin' myself. I'm calling Nunzio as soon as we hang up."

"I knew I could count on you Tommy," Bob grinned. "Just, nothin' physical or anything. Just put a little pressure on, you know, to get 'er to back off."

"Bob, you leave the big boy stuff to me and you watch over Nicky and Frankie. Someone's gotta keep those two going."

"Sure thing Tommy," Bob chuckled. "Just call over to Frankie's later."

"Yeah, yeah. I gotta go make this call," Tommy was clearly distracted now, so Bob let him go do what he did best.

"Nunzio?" Tommy asked when he heard his friend pick up.

"Tommy DeVito," Nunzio chuckled. "It's been a long time."

"Sure has," Tommy felt the familiar turning of his stomach so he launched on through small talk. "Look, I was wondering if you could help me out with a woman who's kinda steppin' out of line? Nothin' big, don't think it even needs to get back to Sammartino."

"The great Tommy DeVito's got woman trouble," Nunzio laughed heartily.

"Not me personally," Tommy explained. "A friend of mine is though. She just needs someone to sorta lean on her a bit. Nothin' big."

"Well you know I don't take a shit these days without Sammy knowin', you heard about Toto getting' busted for the pizza run."

"Sure did, damn shame," Tommy agreed hurriedly.

"It wasn't a shame," Nunzio snapped. "That idiot coulda gotten the whole operation busted."

"Right," Tommy shifted slowly. Part of him wondered if he could put Nunzio on hold and go empty his stomach. "So, you gotta run this by Sammy?"

"Yeah, but if he knows it's for you then, no problem, I'm sure."

"Great, like I said, I don't want to hurt the lady, she just needs to learn that it's time to move on, and to not make any threats about money or kids."

"Okay, I don't need the full story, What'ser name, where can Sammy find her?"

"Margie Massi, she's in Bayonne, Jersey."

"Massi…Does Nick know you're messin' with his girl?"

"No, but the right people know. It's for Nicky's own good."

"Interesting way to take care of a friend," Nunzio mused. "Gyp always said Frankie was the straight shooter, maybe I should give him a call."

"Frankie's good for this, besides, you didn't want the full story," Tommy reminded his friend, glancing at the clock he saw that he wasn't going to have much time before he had to leave for his appointment. "Look, I'd really appreciate the help Nunzio."

"Fair enough. Sammy'll call you later this week."

"Let me give Sammy another number to reach me. I may not be handy at this number later." Tommy rattled off Bob's number and wrapped up his conversation. He'd just take an extra big dose of Marezine. That'd knock out the nausea at least.

"So Doc, I took your advice, told my friends I was sick," Tommy stated as he laid back on exam table.

"Yeah," the doctor finished jotting down notes and rolled over to the table. "How did that go?"

"Better than expected. Only one broken glass and two fights." Tommy tried to laugh, but the doctor was pressing on his abdomen.

"It'll be good for you to have their support," The doctor replied absent-mindedly.

"Yeah, about that," Tommy winced when the doctor hit an extra tender spot. "They want me to go back home to Jersey with them."

"Do you want to go to New Jersey?" The doctor shifted to draw some blood.

"I haven't really given it much thought, but knowing the guys have my back, maybe it wouldn't be awful. Could I go?"

"What do you mean," the doctor asked, frowning at how slowly the vial was filling. "Tom, you gotta keep taking those iron supplements."

"I do, it's just hard to keep them down," Tommy protested. "I just wasn't sure if I could leave with all of our appointments. If I go back there, I will probably be there for a while."

"This may come as a shock to you Tom, but there are doctors in New Jersey. I can help you find one and we can transfer your records. I'll look into lowering the amount of iron you're taking, but I want you to keep taking the pills. Take them with your lunch since that is when you tend to be most stable."

"Okay," Tommy nodded and sat back up. "One other question, the nausea and vomiting is no better. Is there anything stronger I can take?"

"Let's try promethazine," the doctor said thoughtfully. "It's typically used in response to nausea from chemotherapy, but we can try it anyway."

"Thanks doc, you're the best."

"This won't be a long-term fix, but it'll help for a while hopefully."

"Sure thing," Tommy nodded happily. "So you'll help me find a decent doc in Jersey? I might try to get out there by the first of next week."

"Sure Tom, I'll want you to stay in touch though. Let me know how you're doing."

"Of course, thank you for all your help."

"Go ahead and get dressed Tom, I'll meet you at the front desk with your prescription and a couple names."

After his appointment, all Tommy wanted to do was collapse into bed and go back to sleep. He'd barely dragged himself off the elevator on his floor. He still had more calls to make however. He pushed open his door and was happy to notice he felt well enough to not have to stop in the bathroom. Tommy didn't even bother to turn a light on before crossing to his bed. He'd meant to go to his desk, but apparently his brain wanted sleep, just as much as his aching body did. Before laying down he sloppily grabbed the receiver and dialed the front desk concierge.

"Yes Mr. DeVito?"

"I need a flight booked to Newark Airport New Jersey for Monday. Any time of day is fine."

"Certainly sir," the woman on the other end replied. "Is this a round-trip flight or one way?"

"One way," Tommy replied after a long pause.

"Alright, I will see what I can find and will get back with you shortly."

"Just leave a message at the front desk, I will pick it up later today. No need to call," Tommy explained, so that he would be able to hopefully get some decent sleep.

"Of course sir," The woman answered cheerfully. "Will that be all?"

"Yeah, thanks," Tommy yawned.

"Alright, have a good afternoon."

Tommy hung up the phone, kicked off his shoes and fell over into his nice cool bed. It certainly was going to be a good afternoon.