To be young
A.R. sat in his office, he felt exhausted, which was a feeling he not had felt too often in his life. Arnold had always been known as a man with great spirit. After all, he and his opponent, Conaway, still hold the record of the longest continuously played game in history of pool. They had played pool game for thirty-two hours, and Arnold had won the whole game. Exhausted his opponent out until he could no longer keep up the track. Instead of going home after the match, had they togehter walked to a Turkish bath. Conaway had told him that he wanted a re-match, he had been convinced he would win next time; but he never did.
But that was years ago, Arnold reminded himself. Arnold hated the fact of getting old and slow, he hated the thought of becoming like his father. Arnold was sure his father, Abraham, would live long; and he did. Arnold and Abraham had not spoken to each other since 1909. Not after the day he had introduced his bride -to-be, Carolyn Greenwood, to his family. When Abe got the news that Carolyn was catholic and that she would not abandon her believes after the marriage,had he simply told Arnold that if he married that girl Arnold would be as dead for him. Arnold had married Carolyn anyway, and so Abe had "lost" another son. And maybe, maybe Arnold had felt as if the old him had died a little bit that day. He was now a young man almost without family, the only family he had left was Carolyn. He had played a high game and neither way would he had lost something. That day Arnold chosed love in a marrige.
Arnold sighted and took up his black note- and schedule book. He was going to get money from a delivery to Dr. Narcisse later that day. He made a sour expression when he thought about the doctor. That man was all but trouble, he thought. He was well spoken and intelligent, Arnold could easily give him that, but there was something else underneath the doctors appearance. An unstoppable greed and blood thirst that Arnold did not like. And therefore, he never trusted the man.
When the day was finished and after making one or two lucrative deals, he headed home. Instead of taking the car he took a walk, he needed to get some fresh air, he thought. The air was hot but the smell of fall had started to come, as a reminder that nothing is forever green. Arnold liked to walk, even if it meant the risk of getting robbed. Which had happen now and then in his life, but Arnold had never let that stop him to walk again. He remembered one night some years ago when a man had runned up to him in a poor attempt to rob him of his bankroll. The man had been very nervous and Arnold spmehow foond a liking in the man and invited him home. Carolyn had woken up in the middle of the night and thought they were robbers. Carolyn had been shocked when she found her husband in the kitchen with a stranger. Arnold had explained to her that the man had tried to rob him,but instead they had arrived at a buissnesdeal. Carolyn gave Arnold a look of wonderment that only she could give him and went back to bed.
But it was not night as Arnold walked home today, the sun was still gazing. Arnold took a shortcut through a park and all of a sudden he recognized a face, a boy's face. The boy climbed up on a tree where two other boys already sat in. They laughed. The boy was Teddy Schroeder, no Thompson...or was it Rohan now? He was not sure. He walked up and the boy recognized him immediately. Teddy stared, not knowing what to say. Arnold smiled at the kids and said; "Hello, nice day for some tree-climbing I reckon." He turned to Teddy and asked; "Are you here all on your own?". Teddy thought, he looked as someone caught with the hand in the cookie jar. He climbed down and said with some regret in his voice;"Yes. Truth be told, I run off without asking permission." Arnold smiled and nodded, he recognized to well the young boys behaviour. But as an adult he also knew that Teddy's mother must be beyond herself with worries. So he said;" Maybe it´s time to head back home then, don´t you think Teddy? Is it okay if I call you Teddy? Or do you have another name you would like to be referring to?" Teddy shook his head; "No Teddy is fine." Arnold nodded. "I better walk with you home then Teddy.". Teddy sighted but said; "Yes sir" and followed Arnold.
After a short walk Teddy asked; "Who are you, I mean, have seen you before but who are you and what business do you have with my mother?". Arnold laughed, a bit surprised at the straight forward question. He smiled and looked down at the boy as they walked. "Your mother and I are doing business, you know where your mother works? She gives me some advices, that's all." Teddy nodded but did not look satisfied with the answer. "How do you know my fath...I mean Mr. Thompson?". Arnold raised an eyebrow and looked down again, this time not really ready for an answer. Teddy continued; " I mean, I saw you at our home at a new years celebration. Mother told me to go to bed, but I hide." Arnold laughed and clapped Teddy on his head. "I have done some business with Nucky Thompson, andI still does. We are acquaintance." Teddy looked up at Arnold and bit his lowerlip doing so, it looked as if he analyzed Arnold. Then he looked down again and simply said;"Ok. Do you like my mother?" Again Arnold was taken aback at the young boys question. "Er, you mother and I are only business partners." Arnold saw the young boys stare. "But she is a nice and respectable lady." Arnold added and the boy finally looked satisfied. Arnold sighted in relief. "So, are you doing well in school Teddy?" Arnold asked to change the topic. Teddy shook his head. "No, it´s boring. But I have find some nice friends at least." "I´m very happy to hear that."
Arnold rang the doorbell to Miss Rohans apartment. Margaret opened quickly and looked both surprised and relived upon seeing them. "Teddy! Where have you been? I have been worried to death!" She dragged Teddy inside before turning to Arnold. "I´m sorry for his behaviour Mr. Rothsein. Where did you find him? Thank you so much for taking him here...yourself." Arnold only smiled a contempt smile while his eyes danced in amusment and said: "No trouble at all. I was taking a walk home and saw him climbing on a tree with some friends. Although you should not be too harsh on him, Miss Rohan. He confessed immediately his...wrong step of running off." Margaret looked as if she did not know what to say, she open her mouth and closed it again before saying: "I´m sure this is not a ordinary task for a landlord to do?" She said as to ease her tension. Arnold laughed; "No, not really. But I happily did so. Just, keep an eye on him, Miss Rohan. He is soon a teenager, that´s why he is so eager to trying his wings I guess. New York are an attractive place for young boys to explore. And there are some places a mother doesn't want her kids to be in. I know that by fact." Margaret nodded; "Of course. Can I offer you anything? Tea perhaps?". "No thank you, I'd better be getting home" Arnold declined before stepping outside the door, "See you another time, Miss Rohan". "Goodbye" Margaret nodded before shutting the door.