Like most overachievers, Tony had personal burdens that weighed on him like anvils. But Tony’s idea of burdens—the big money, the fast women, the struggle for status—those things fell on Van like a light refreshing rain. From their first day as friends, Van had been able to drink in Tony’s problems. Van didn’t judge Tony, he didn’t scold. He couldn’t even say that he sympathized. He needed Tony to trust him, somehow. He needed to be trusted with those things.