Chapter 15: When You're a Jet, You Stay a Jet (Tony POV)

Tony was trying to finish with bringing in the delivery for the store. Crate after crate, each one heavier than the last. Regardless, he had to finish as soon as possible. He hadn't been able to see Maria all week because of their work schedules, and he couldn't take it anymore. He thought he was going to go insane if he didn't see her soon. She would be off from work by 8pm, so he only had an hour and a half to finish loading everything in the store, change, and set up dinner for them.

Maria's influence had caused him to discover he had a niche for cooking. Valentina continued to instruct him on various dishes he could impress Maria with; each one better than the last. All that mattered to him was she was happy. He wanted to make sure every date was wonderful for her.

He was finally in a rhythm and was close to finishing when a familiar whistle called from inside. Tony silently groaned when he turned to see Riff.

"What's new, Riff?"

Riff threw his finished cigarette on the ground. "Same old, same old Buddy-boy. Sharks making trouble and need a lesson. You stay around here all day while your friends are left out in the cold. And once more, I come to you telling you we need you back."

"And once again I tell you, no.", said Tony as he grabbed the final crate.

"Tony, we can let those Sharks take over. They got no right, here. This is our streets. Those…"

"Those what, Riff?", said Tony, cutting him off, "You know what they are? People, just like you and me. Difference is they didn't start anything with us, we started it."

"What're you saying, Tony? That we're the ones that don't belong. Cause we fought hard to take back these streets. We were born here, and it's ours and no one else. They've got no right to think they can just come here, and it be theirs. We earned it, not them. I'm tired of everything being taken away by people I don't like!", said Riff as he paced like a caged animal.

"That's a problem, Riff, since you don't like anyone". Tony sat down as he continued. "It doesn't have to be this way, Riff. You remember when you once told me you felt like your whole life was just fighting everything. Maybe if you just put down your fists for a second, you'd see nothing fighting back."

Riff scoffed, "Yeah, and I could find myself beaten to a pulp. You can't ever let your guard down, Buddy-boy. It's weak, and I ain't weak. Neither were you, once upon a time."

Tony let the insult roll of his back. "See, right there? You insulted me, and I don't care. And nothing bad happened. Maybe it's time you wise up and stop trying to control everything and just accept that's life… Ralph." Tony knew it was a low blow, but Riff needed to be dropped down a peg.

Riff was visibly angry, but he didn't move. After a minute, Riff pulled another cigarette out. "Real funny, Anton. You know, I spent every minute of every day wondering why my best friend would choose this place over us, the Jets. Just occurred to me… you'll always be one of us. Cause no matter how clean cut you are, or how much you deny it, you'll always be the same ragamuffin that could knock out someone's teeth just for breathing the wrong way at him", Riff threw his cigarette towards Tony, "So go ahead, keep pretending. Whether you're with us or not, those Sharks won't be walking tall for long. I'm not gonna let my streets be taken over by a bunch of filthy Spics!".

Tony saw red. Before he could stop, He grabbed Riff and punched him twice in the gut and once in the face, knocking Riff back to the ground. Tony stared in shock, but Riff just grinned. "See, Buddy-boy. You ain't never gonna be that clean cut guy… ever. But thanks. The guys kept asking were you a friend or foe. Now… we know." Riff stood up and walked towards the door.

Tony stayed still for the longest time. He couldn't believe he had done that, to Riff of all people. He had felt the same way he did that night all over again. He's right. I'm not different. I'm still a criminal. Still dangerous. He sat down on his bed and stayed like that.

He didn't even move when he heard Maria come through the back door. She had run in, until she saw his face. "Tony, what happened?"

Tony told her what happened between him and Riff. Once he was finished, he hung his head in shame. Maria instantly went to his side and held him tight.

"Maria… how can you love someone like me?", he asked out of nowhere.

"How can you ask me that?"

"I'm a criminal. I've hurt people. If I get angry, I see red and do horrible things. How can you trust someone like me?", he said sorrowfully.

Maria grabbed both of Tony's hands. "Because that is not who you are. You are the one who dazzles me with his kindness and humor. You look at me and everything fades away. You're the one who works tirelessly for Valentina, not because she expects it, but because she means the world to you. Tony, you are a good man. No one is flawless, but that doesn't make them any less a good person. This is why I love you with all my heart."

Tony smiled at his love's unwavering faith in him. He raised their intertwined hands and placed a kiss. "I love you too… with everything I have."