Without a family and not enslaved by a padrone, Gaetano is another boy surviving alone on the streets. Appearing tough and hard-nosed, Gaetano is an astute observer of his surroundings, which helps him both to navigate the challenges of street life and make money selling information. Consequently, he presents himself as superior, so others will need him. For example, when Gaetano recites a proverb, Dom thinks, “It seemed strange that someone as young as Gaetano would recite proverbs. He was trying to make himself seem important again” (111). To appear older and wiser, Gaetano spouts sayings to elevate his importance, which, along with his observation skills, draws people to him and makes him invaluable. 

However, Gaetano is cautious and operates alone. In fact, he says, “‘In this neighborhood it’s everybody for himself’” (97). This survival mentality is in Gaetano’s best interest, for Five Points is dangerous. He puts these words into action when he steals Dom’s papers and sells them. Despite his self-serving industriousness, Gaetano keeps to a small territory, afraid to roam outside of Five Points because he does not know English and because it is the only neighborhood he understands.

Even though Gaetano initially operates in his own self-interest, he becomes a good friend and ally to Dom and Tin Pan Alley. He recognizes the value in friendship when he confesses to selling Dom’s papers. Although it was wrong of him, he apologizes and explains why he did it. Also, he insists, “‘I didn’t have to tell you […] I didn’t have to say anything about the documents. You’d have thought you lost them in that barrel you sleep in every night’” (136). Gaetano’s observation shows that he cares about Dom, for he wants his new friend to know the truth. If he were selfish, he would have kept quiet, but because he likes Dom, he tries to repair the relationship. Even Dom recognizes this when he thinks, “Napoletano boys didn’t apologize. That sorry cost Gaetano. He wanted my friendship a lot” (137). 

Their relationship also grows through their shared business venture and the fact that they rent a room from Signora Esposito together. Furthermore, despite Gaetano’s initial distaste for Tin Pan Alley, he grows found of the boy. He helps Tin Pan Alley escape his padrone and spends an entire night searching for his missing friend. By the end of the novel, Gaetano and Dom are close and genuine friends, looking out for one another.

Tin Pan Alley, whose real name is Pietro, is honest and trustworthy. Beholden to a padrone, he plays the triangle and whistles popular American tunes, earning him his nickname. Not long after meeting him, Dom thinks, “Tin Pan Alley was a stand-up kind of guy” (108). Tin Pan Alley’s sincerity is evident in the kindnesses he shows to Dom, from sharing rock candy to exchanging his cheese for the meat that Dom cannot eat. Tin Pan Alley is both observant and kind because he wants to ensure his friend gets the same amount of food. 

Tin Pan Alley further demonstrates his generosity when he gives sandwiches to other boys enslaved by padrones, for he understands their plight. When he learns that a new boy has replaced him on his old corner, Tin Pan Alley says, “‘Put a dollar from my share of the money into his cup […] Every day’” (215). Feeling responsible, he wants to help the boy pay the padrone back. His loyalty to other children in his situation leads to his death, for he returns to his padrone to prove the boys have already paid off their debts.

In America, Tin Pan Alley is a shell of himself, trying to survive under the brutal hand of a padrone. Always worried that the man is watching and that he has earned enough money, the boy is wary and on guard. Once Tin Pan Alley goes into hiding and begins working for Grandinetti, however, his true personality emerges: “Pietro was like a different person working beside Grandinetti. He whistled constantly. He greeted the customers and made jokes with them. And, funniest of all, he danced” (213). This shift in personality coincides with the use of his given name, Pietro, indicating that this happy-go-lucky nature is the boy’s real disposition. This side of him is not evident until he is free from the iron-fist of the padrone, proving that his life in servitude sucks the joy from him.

Francesco Grandinetti, the produce vendor, supports the boys in many ways. When he sees Dom’s meticulous work, Grandinetti offers him produce as payment. Periodically, the boy returns to work or for help with various situations because he trusts Grandinetti. Grandinetti also offers supplies, like a basket, a towel, and a cart, as well as storage for their paper. When Gaetano and Dom earn too much money to sleep safely on the streets, the man says, “‘There’s too much of this going on. Too many kids on their own […] Here’s what you do. Cross the street and go to number forty-four, one flight up. Rent a room from Signora Esposito’” (185). Grandinetti’s compassion is evident in his disgust that so many children live on the streets and helps them find lodging. Grandinetti is also there to help when Tin Pan Alley escapes from his padrone, offering the boy a place to work during the day.

Ultimately, Grandinetti’s words and actions make him a father figure to Dom. Dom recognizes Grandinetti’s honesty when he does not cheat Signora Esposito with unfair prices, but instead sends the boys to her, helping them all out. He also provides Dom with wisdom. For example, when Dom asks why Italians do not return to Europe after being treated unfairly in America, Grandinetti tells him the truth:

Lots of us had it rough at first. America’s not perfect, God knows. In Calabria I farmed—and after living an outdoor life like that, being in the city is like being in a cage. Sometimes I can hardly stand it. But in Italy my family was always struggling. Here, we’re doing better. (131-32)

Honest in his assessment of America as “rough,” “not perfect,” and “like being in a cage,” Grandinetti also acknowledges that even with these hardships, things are better for his family there. The wisdom of experience and perspective provides Dom with a hard truth: Nothing is perfect, but it is worth pursuing something better. These words serve as fatherly advice, something Dom has been missing since leaving his family in Napoli.