As Mark waited on the stoop, Tony took my hand and helped me down the stairs. As we passed, I heard one of the younger men complain to the old man and point at my brother.

"He's asking who Mark is and why the old man's letting him go," Tony told me.

The old man lit a cigarette and, nodding towards Mark, replied. Tony grunted and, shaking his head, repeated the old man's words."He said, "The Devil's come to Hell's Kitchen to claim his own."

A cab pulled up in front of us. I gave Tony one last hug, then Mark and I got into the cab. I did the...