What life is like for Tony a week after he was released from the hospital was nothing but recovering and resting. He was not really thrilled to be doing nothing. He wanted to be doing something for Valentina but she was not going to let him,she wanted him to be resting and taking it easy and wouldn't have an argument. The day that he got home from the hospital is when she said,"Anton Wyzek,you are to not do your job. You are to just get healed and rest up until further notice. You understand me?" He had said,"Yes ma'am." He knew better than to argue with her. He never ever argued with anyone who called him Anton instead of Tony. If he is called Anton,he knows to not argue at all.
Much to Valentina's dismay Riff visited him daily. She knew Tony loved Riff but Tony needed to rest and in her mind with Riff around, Tony wouldn't be able to get the much needed and necessary rest, relaxation. But she wasn't about to deny him access to his best friend. To her consternation (extreme dismay),he never told her when he would come. He just popped in when he wanted to visit Tony. She just left him be. She knew that saying anything to him wouldn't do anything for her benefit and it would upset Tony greatly. So she was forced to allow this to happen. It drove her crazy but there was nothing she can do about it. There wasn't anything to do about it without upsetting Tony greatly too.
But after she heard from Lieutenant Schrank and Officer Krupke about how Riff reacted that night,she decided to go easy on him. He had watched that something happen to Tony and reacted so heartbroken. She was going to be good about his visits. She wasn't going to say anything about the fact that in her mind with him around,Tony wouldn't be able to get rested and relaxed. As he has been doing,Riff appeared for a visit. He went to the basement and saw Tony. Tony said,"Hi,Riff. How are you doing?" Riff said,"I'm alright. How are you feeling?" Tony said,"Tired and impatient." Riff asked,"What're you impatient about?" Tony replied,"Not doing my job and I want to be doing my job. But Valentina won't let me." Riff said,"I know I never say this but I actually agree with Valentina about that."
Tony said,"Oh really Riff?" Riff nodded. This made Tony feel shocked because Valentina and Riff never get along with each other. But here's Riff saying that he agreed with her. It shocked him but it made sense:Riff not wanting Tony to do anything but be resting. He said,"Buddy,I am shocked that you agree with Valentina but I know it's cause you care about me. And that's the only reason why you are agreeing with her. I know that." Riff nodded,"You are correct about that too." Tony smiled knowingly at his best friend. He smiled back at him. Riff left. Tony knew he wouldn't deny what Tony had said. There wasn't any way he could deny that. He knew that Riff wouldn't want Valentina to know.