“Primo.  Doesn’t that mean something like ‘Prime’?  Did his parents really name him Primo?”

            “No.  That’s just what Carlos and I call him, ‘Cause every time we go in there and ask how he’s doing he says ‘Primo!’”

            “Okay.  Primo.  Is that How you address him?  Do you say ‘Hey Primo…”

            “No.” Eli said, cutting me off, but not yet visibly annoyed.  “Don’t call him Primo to his face.  In fact, you probably shouldn’t really talk to him at all for now.”

            “Okay.  When do I get to meet with Primo?”

            “Not today.  Just don’t go in there until Carlos and I introduce you.”

            “Okay.”

            “See that Pizza place up ahead and across the street?”

            “Yeah.”

            “Don’t go in there until Rosa and I introduce you to…” It is only now, many years later, that I realize that Eli paused for a second before continuing.  “…the guy that runs the pizza place.”

            “Okay.”

            We crossed the intersection, passed the pizza place without entering, and walked just a bit further down the street.

            “See that candy store across the street?” Eli asked indicating only by tilting his head towards the street while keeping his hands in his pockets.  I had to look for the count of seven before recognizing that the worn dusty blue sign over the storefront directly across the street from us said “CANDY.”  It was a large faded blue with bold white letters and almost totally invisible unless you looked for it.

            “Yes, I see the candy store.”

            “They don’t sell candy.  Don’t ever go in there.”

            Introductions had been made.