THE BLUE SUIT
“How do you think Anthony’s resignation went down?” I asked the Blue Suit.
“I know exactly how it went down,” the Blue Suit answered. “Tell me then, how did it go down?” I repeated.
“It went like this, Josh – exactly like this. After Maura Healey announced to all of New England listening to the Jim Braude and Janet Egan Show that ‘he should resign, that him serving as an elected public official was unacceptable’ it was as if the world was turned upside down for Anthony…and by association…for Carlo.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Until the Attorney General opened her big mouth, Carlo and Anthony felt they had the racism problem licked, if you know what I mean. They felt that all the fuss being made would die down, that the problem would go away like an unwanted cold in the middle of summer. In fact, they were hoping to get to the June recess of the city council when the public speaking portion with all those new voices would be quieted down and everything would return to normal,” the Blue Suit added.
“So how did the Attorney General’s ‘big mouth’ as you put it, contribute to the problem?”
“Are you kidding me, Josh? Maura Healey’s demand that Anthony should resign hit Carlo and Anthony with the force of a powerful right hand uppercut to the chin. They were dazed. Mind you, not knocked out, but dazed at first. When they regained their steadiness, they still believed Anthony did not have to resign. But, and this is a big but, when Carlo realized the extent to which Healey’s comments were making the rounds, and he juxtaposed that against his desire to survive the many battles he is facing, he made a decision.”
“And what was that?”
“After brooding, feeling anger, and some bitterness at this cruel twist of events, Carlo decided that Anthony had to go. But the drama got extended over the weekend with Carlo doing his thing and Anthony trying to pretend everything was going to be OK. The general feeling between them before Healey got involved is that Carlo wanted Anthony to stay around at least until they could get rid of Sergio Cornelio, the city clerk who has left the nest, as Anthony liked to put it.”
“Then what,” I asked the Blue Suit.
“By Sunday, Carlo was beside himself. He called Anthony. He told him in no uncertain terms what must happen – not what might happen, mind you, but rather, what must absolutely happen.”
“And how did that conversation go?” I asked. “Did you hear it?” “I heard all of it,” the Blue Suit replied.
“Tell me what what transpired.”
“Not until we get a soft serve ice cream down Revere Beach,” the Blue Suit demanded.
“How can I reuse that for you. Let’s go.”
So we drove down to Revere Beach. We had been driving around Everett in my car as we tend to do when we talk. We were in my daughter’s Toyota Prius Hybrid – 44 miles to the gallon – what a great car that is.
We drove down the beach to Kell’s Crème. Its owned by a buddy of mine, a lawyer from Revere, Harry Pass. Harry is great guy. He runs a fabulous ice cream stand. What makes it so good? He buys the heavier cream and a better grade of sweeteners. The dairy whip is thick, smooth – ultra smooth, so so tasty, and an absolute delight. The Blue Suit ordered two banana splits with all the extras. I bought a kiddy’s vanilla and chocolate mixed with chocolate sprinkles. The Blue Suit eat his banana splits. I enjoyed my small ice cream cone. We talked.
“Carlo called Anthony. Here’s what I heard,” the Blue Suit said.
‘”Hello Anthony. Carlo. You gut to resign. This can’t go on any longer. I’ve tried to protect as best I can. I’ve done everything for you, Anthony. You need to resign Monday.’”
“’Why?’” Anthony asked.
“’Why? I’ll tell you why. I can’t afford to take heat from the attorney general like this. I can’t have Healey looking into my business or over mu shoulder. There’s just too much heat. You’ve got to get out, buddy. I’m talking to you as family,’ Carlo demanded,” the Blue Suit told me.
“Did Anthony answer back?” I asked.
“Of course he did. He told Carlo he didn’t want to resign. He didn’t care about the heat Carlo would take because resigning was the end of his public life…and his public life meant more to him than anything.”
‘”You want me to resign and everything is OK for you, cousin, Anthony replied, ‘”the Blue Suit told me.
“’What do I get for resigning? What will you give me to resign?’” the Blue Suit said Anthony answered.
“Carlo went ballistic,” the Blue Suit added.
“What do you get? After what I’ve done for you. I’ve done everything for you. I made you. I supported you. I’ve given you cover and now you’re pulling this on me. Who are you kidding, Anthony?’”the Blue Suit told me the mayor said.
“What happened then?” I asked.
“The conversation broke down just a bit,” he recalled. “Anthony got a bit cocky.”
“What did he say to Carlo?” I asked.
“He told Carlo that his life was going to be ruined but it was OK because Carlo got away free.” The Blue Suit told me.
“What came next?” I asked.
“Anthony said this to Carlo: ‘“Maybe I should ask the attorney general if she wants to speak with me about you. What do you think about that, cousin?”’
“You’ve got to be kidding?” I asked.
“I’m not kidding.”
“How did the conversation end?”
“Carlo told Anthony to resign or “he’d ruin his life forever.’” “Let’s face it. These two know each other’s secrets like a textbook. They have done everything with one another and this includes a bunch of things I don’t want to disclose to you Josh because most people wouldn’t understand. They’ve partied. They’ve done all kinds of things, let’s leave it at that. In the end, Anthony resigned himself to the inevitable.”
“He told Carlo he’d resign by 11 a.m. Monday morning.”
“Do you think Anthony has learned anything from this experience?” I asked the Blue Suit.
“Slurping into his mouth the very end of the second banana split, he turned to me and said: “He’s learned that about the worst thing that can happen to someone like him is what, Josh?” the Blue Suit asked me.
“Getting caught,” I answered.