I had my eye on Frankie as I backed away, hoping he didn’t notice my short static movements. Everything was going well until my arm ran straight into one of the small circular tables scattered about the restaurant. The wobbly legs shook and the napkin holder rattled, alerting Frankie and his helpers to my poorly thought-out escape.

I turned, ready to make a run for it, and prayed to God the door on the other side wasn’t locked, but I made it less than two feet before the ...