Kim answered the knock on the door and saw Jimmy standing in front of her.

"Kim, can I talk to you?" Jimmy said. Kim stepped aside and let him in her apartment.

"What's the matter, Jimmy?" she asked, noticing the disturbed look on his face.

"It's about Joey," Jimmy said.

"What about Joey?" she asked, worry setting in.

"I don't want him around Bosco anymore," Jimmy said, waiting for the inevitable.

"What do you mean 'you don't want him around Bosco anymore'? Why?" she asked, getting upset, but trying to keep her cool.

"Look. You know he's been having problems at school. He pushed that kid down and broke his arm. He started a FIRE in the boy's room for cryin' out loud, Kim," he said. "Obviously something's bothering him and I think it's your relationship with Bosco. I mean, the guy's nuts. Look how he is on the street. Where else do you think Joey's picking this stuff up?" he finished.

"Look, Jimmy. I don't know where this is coming from, but Bosco is not the cause of Joey's problems at school. Bosco is nothing but kind around Joey - and around me for that matter. What you see of Bosco on the street is his 'protection'. You know all about not getting emotionally involved in your job or it eats you up. He sees people at their worst every day and that's the way he has to cope with it. When he's with me, Joey only sees us talking and laughing together. We don't fight, Jimmy. Bosco wouldn't do anything to hurt Joey. As a matter of fact I see them getting to be better friends every time they're together, which really isn't that often... Wait a minute. Are you jealous, Jimmy?" Kim asked him, finally figuring out what was going on.

"What? No. Why would I be jealous of Bosco?" Jimmy scoffed at her.

"I don't know, maybe you can tell me. Is it because he spends more time with him than you do right now?" she asked him sarcastically. "Is it because he doesn't take him to grocery stores and the park to use him as a pawn to pick up lonely women? Is it because he doesn't get his car taken away from him by loan sharks and have to walk home, late at night in the freezing cold?" Kim said.

"Look, Jimmy. I've talked to Joey about those things at school. You and I both did, remember?" Kim said angrily.

"Yeah, but..." he answered, only to be interrupted.

"Yeah, and we got it straightened out. He understands what he did was wrong and he's not watching that wrestling crap anymore on TV. Right, Jimmy?" she said. Jimmy nodded his head.

"It's just that..." he started again.

"Jimmy," Kim said, calming down. "Sit down."

They both sat on the couch. "Look. You're Joey's father and he loves you. No question. Bosco is NOT trying to take your place. He would never do that. Jimmy, you have to face it. Bosco is in my life and so he's in Joey's life. Joey sees me happy and how can that be bad? Jimmy, you have nothing to worry about here. Your place in Joey's life is secure - as long as you want it to be," she finished. Kim looked at her watch. "I've gotta go downstairs and get Joey off the bus. He's due home from school," she said, standing up.

"Is it okay if I go get him? I'll take him out for some pizza with me. I'll take him back to my place and do his homework with him," he said, hoping that Kim would say yes.

She thought for a moment. "Okay. But don't bring him back too late. It's been really hard getting him up for school in the morning," Kim said, sensing that Jimmy just needed reassurance of his place in Joey's life.

She closed the door as Jimmy went to get Joey and watched out the window as the two walked down the sidewalk toward the pizza place.

Joey looked back up at his mother and waved to her. She waved back as the phone rang. She walked over and answered.

"Hello?"

"What are you wearing?" came Bosco's voice on the other end, trying to sound like a prank call.

"Not a damn thing. Jimmy took Joey for pizza, so get over here," she joked back.

All she heard on the other end was the click of Bosco hanging up the phone and then a dial tone.