{"id":134,"date":"2019-12-04T05:02:54","date_gmt":"2019-12-04T05:02:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/?p=134"},"modified":"2019-12-22T18:18:12","modified_gmt":"2019-12-22T18:18:12","slug":"december-4th-between-this-breath-and-the-one-that-follows-part-1-by-by-brianna441","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/?p=134","title":{"rendered":"December 4th- Between This Breath and the One That Follows Part 1 by brianna441"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIn the space, the pause between this breath and the one that follows, you have made a home inside me.\u201d<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2015 <\/span><\/em>Tyler Knott Gregson<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The January afternoon was sunny and warm, perfect California winter weather. Families were picnicking and children playing and having fun. One collection of younger children was playing a raucous game of tag, another few playing catch. A group of older girls had a double-dutch competition going. And down by the pond several children were playing with their little toy boats, some racing and some just sailing.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the families choosing to spread their blankets over the grass, the picnic tables set back from the pond were empty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Except for one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting atop one table set slightly off from the rest was a young man, smoking a cigarette. Dressed in an Army jacket and jeans, with combat boots and a knit cap on his almost hairless head, he could see the entire area from his position.<\/span><\/p>\n

He continually scanned the zone and he watched.<\/span><\/p>\n

David Michael Starsky was just five months removed from his life as a soldier, being mustered out the previous September. As he sat here, watching the kids, his thoughts wandered, recounting the events that led him here.<\/span><\/p>\n

I just wanted to go home, <\/em>he thought. Just survive the jungle and make it back home. But now\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

He shook his head as he knocked the ash off his cigarette, pinching the end of the butt and slipping it into his jacket pocket. His head snapped around at the sound of a child\u2019s scream, but then he relaxed and smiled when it turned out to be a sound of excitement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Continuing to watch the group of children chasing one another, he absently reached into his pocket for another cigarette, lighting it and sliding the matches — used and unused — back into his pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he took a drag, his mind returned to his contemplations.<\/span><\/p>\n

I had a good life. There were ups and downs but it was mostly good. I mean, it started out perfect. It was me and Nicky and Ma and Pop. Pop was my hero. He was a cop and I was so proud of him. He worked hard but he always made time for me. Time to play catch, to take me to ball games, time to teach me so many special things. He made me feel like the most important person in the world. And Ma, she loved Nicky and me like nothin\u2019 else. Life was perfect\u2026until it wasn\u2019t. Until, in a hail of bullets, everything changed.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Pop was dead. Mom cried and Nicky — he didn\u2019t know what was happenin\u2019. Me, I was just angry. So angry that I started getting into trouble. Fightin\u2019 in school, with the kids on the street. I didn\u2019t know how to NOT be angry, and Ma — she didn\u2019t know what to do. So she sent me away.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I thought she hated me. I know now that wasn\u2019t true but then, I thought she didn\u2019t love me, that she blamed me for Pop gettin\u2019 killed.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

But Uncle Al and Aunt Rosie, they treated me like their own kid. They loved me and tried to convince me that Ma did, too. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

So I had another family, I made friends, and my life became good again. And, when I had a chance to go back to Brooklyn for a visit, I realized Ma still loved me. I still didn\u2019t understand why I couldn\u2019t stay but at least I knew she loved me.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Back here in California, life was everything I wanted. Me and my friends, we had fun, we had adventures, and we stayed out of trouble, mostly. I did well in school, even played on the football team. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Then, when I graduated, I joined the army. I didn’t wait to be drafted. I thought it would be good training, that it would help me get on the police force, to become a cop. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I thought I’d be sent to Germany or stay stateside. At least that’s what the recruiter told me. I never believed I\u2019d wind up fighting in Vietnam. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

But I found out differently. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I found out what evil men can do to each other and what it\u2019s like to depend on someone else to watch your back. I found security in a group of buddies. And I found out what it’s like to be frightened every minute of every day.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I just kept tellin\u2019 myself that if I made it through the day, I would make it home. One day at a time, every day the same thought\u2026just survive the day and make it home.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

And I managed to make it through that crazy war unharmed. I thought I\u2019d come back and my life would be perfect. That it would all fall back into place.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s all wrong. Seems it doesn\u2019t matter where I go or what I do, I\u2019m just\u2026out of step. I don\u2019t fit and I\u2026I don\u2019t know why.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

He checked his watch; the friend he was waiting for still had a bit of time. Disposing of one cigarette and lighting another, he continued reminiscing.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I got out, I decided to go back to New York, back to my family. I thought I could pick up my life and start something new there. I didn\u2019t realize\u2026<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Five months earlier – New York<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It was close to noon on a warm, sunny Fall day in Brooklyn. He stood on the sidewalk with a smile on his face, looking up at the three-story brownstone building. He\u2019d spent the first ten years of his life here. He\u2019d come back for visits a couple of times and, although he hadn\u2019t been back in years, he had good memories of this place. There were some not-so- good ones too, but that didn\u2019t matter. This was home!<\/span><\/p>\n

With a little laugh, he grabbed the duffle containing all his possessions, climbed the steps, and pushed the button for the second floor apartment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d came the tinny voice through the speaker.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Ma? Let me in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a pause. \u201cWho is this? What do you want?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He chuckled. \u201cIt\u2019s me, Ma\u2026David. You gonna let me in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He heard a gasp then, after a moment, the window on the second floor flew open and a small dark-haired women stuck her head out. \u201cDavid?!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He looked up at the window, smiling. \u201cHi, Ma.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my goodness! David! What are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I\u2019d surprise you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my\u2026well, don\u2019t just stand there. Come in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He laughed. \u201cYou gotta buzz me in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, right.\u201d She disappeared from the window and soon the buzzer sounded. He pushed open the door and climbed the stairs, moving to the familiar door. Suddenly, that door flew open and there she stood, all five feet of her, tears welling up in her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome in, come in,\u201d she said as she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the apartment. She closed the door and immediately wrapped her arms around him, squeezing tightly. \u201cYou\u2019re here. You\u2019re finally here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave laughed as he returned her hug. \u201cYeah, Ma, I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She stepped back, not letting go of his hands. \u201cLet me see. Let me look at you.\u201d She ran her hands up his arms and over his chest, trailing down to his waist. \u201cToo skinny\u2026you\u2019re too skinny. Didn\u2019t they feed you in that army?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma. They fed me, but their food wasn\u2019t nearly as good as yours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She placed her hand on his face. \u201cWell, we\u2019ll take care of that. But\u2026\u201d She moved her hands to his head, pulling off his knit cap and running her hands over his nearly shaven hair. \u201cOh, my goodness. Your curls! They cut off all your beautiful curls!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grabbing her hands, he gently kissed them as he looked into her tear-filled eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Ma. My curls’ll grow back. And you\u2019ll feed me so I won\u2019t be skinny anymore.” He engulfed her in his arms. \u201cEverything is gonna be okay. I\u2019m here and I\u2019m gonna stay. I\u2019m home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He thought he noticed a look of concern crossing her face as she pushed out of his hug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d she said as she wiped her face, frantically looking around the living room. \u201cThere\u2019s no place to put you in your old room. Nicky\u2019s all grown up now and taken over the place. You\u2019ll have to sleep on the sofa until we figure something else out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe sofa is fine. Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll work it out.\u201d He looked around the apartment. \u201cWhere is Nicky, anyway?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNicky\u2019s in school. Then he has a part-time job. At Martinelli’s Shipping. You know the place. He\u2019ll be home for dinner around five. But what about you? Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich. I just made a fresh pitcher of iced tea.\u201d She looked at him expectantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIced tea and a sandwich sounds good.\u201d He smiled at her, trying to hide his concern. If he remembered correctly, Martinelli was a big name in local mob circles. For Nicky’s sake, he hoped the shipping company was a legal business and not a front for criminal activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d She took him by the hand and led him to the kitchen table. \u201cYou sit here and I\u2019ll get you something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave sat at the table, watching his mother prepare his sandwich. Finally she placed it and a glass of iced tea in front of him then sat at the table, placing her hand on his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo tell me, David. Tell me how you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He told her. Not everything, though. Not about the war, that would only upset her. But he did tell her of his plans to live here, to find a job, to reclaim his home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then he asked her a few questions and suddenly he was getting an update on everyone and everything in the neighborhood. He sat and listened, watching her talk, taking in her voice and her smile, and he began to relax.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is it<\/em>, he thought. I’m home.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After finishing his lunch, Dave unpacked his duffle, folding his clothes and placing them on the shelves in the living room closet. When that was finished, he pulled out his pack of cigarettes, placing one in his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot in the house, David,\u201d his mother said, as she walked into the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, okay, Ma,\u201d he answered. \u201cI\u2019ll go outside on the stoop. Hey, do you need anything at the store?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She did and so, with list in hand, Dave walked down to the corner store, smoking his cigarette, checking out the neighborhood as he went. Things had changed since he\u2019d last been here yet some things stayed the same. Like Angelo\u2019s. Still the same shelves, still the same counter. Even the glass case filled with penny candy was the same, although now Dave was tall enough to see over the top.<\/span><\/p>\n

He placed his items on the counter, asked for another pack of smokes, then paid the clerk. Now, walking back home, he looked around. Yeah, the place still looked the same. But, Dave recognized, it didn\u2019t feel quite the same. He felt\u2026out of place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A few hours later Nicky arrived home from work, surprised and thrilled to find his big brother there. The three of them sat down to dinner; Mom had made his favorite, pot roast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave asked Nicky about school and his job. Nicky told him everything: about school, his job, his friends. After dinner, Rachael chased the boys outside while she cleaned up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave and Nicky sat on the steps. Dave lit a cigarette, offering one to Nicky.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thanks,\u201d Nicky said, shaking his head. \u201cI don\u2019t smoke, not tobacco, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood, don\u2019t start,\u201d Dave said, \u201cIt\u2019s a really nasty habit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why don\u2019t you stop?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave chuckled. \u201cSome things just ain\u2019t that easy, Nicky.\u201d He pointed a finger at his brother. \u201cAnd don\u2019t get caught smokin\u2019 those funny<\/em> cigarettes, either.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nicky laughed. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019m good.\u201d Just then Nicky spotted a friend coming down the street. \u201cStevie! Yo, Stevie!\u201d He jumped up and ran to meet him. Grabbing his arm, he led him over to the steps. \u201cStevie, this is my big brother, David. Davey, this is my best friend, Stevie DiNardo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave shook Stevie\u2019s hand, sizing up his brother\u2019s friend. He was a good looking kid, about Nicky\u2019s height. His hair was a lighter brown, and so were his eyes. He seemed a bit shy but Dave\u2019s first impression was that he was a good kid.<\/span><\/p>\n

The three sat on the steps talking, telling stories and laughing until another young kid, smaller than Nicky and Stevie, with bright red hair and freckles, quietly walked by.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pox! Chicken Pox!\u201d When the kid put his head down and began walking faster, Nicky jumped up and went after him, stopping the kid by dancing circles around him, laughing. \u201cHey, kid, you sick? You got spots all over your face!\u201d Nicky poked his finger at the smaller kid\u2019s face. \u201cWait, I think your hair is on fire!\u201d He laughed, ruffling the kid\u2019s hair with both his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

The kid tried unsuccessfully to duck around Nicky, to get away from him, but Nicky continued his tormenting until he heard his brother\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNicky!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Still laughing, Nicky let the kid go and returned to the stoop to find Dave standing, his body ridged in anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d Dave demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Nicky looked around, surprised by his brother\u2019s anger. \u201cThat?\u201d He pointed back over his shoulder at the kid who was again walking down the street. \u201cThat\u2019s just Red Head Andy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave stepped up to Nicky, getting right in his face. \u201cDon\u2019t every let me catch you bullying anybody\u2026ANYBODY\u2026like that again! Do you understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? I didn\u2019t hit him or nothin\u2019. I was just havin\u2019 a little fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFun? You think it\u2019s fun to torment a kid who\u2019s smaller than you? Weaker than you? You think he thinks it’s funny, havin\u2019 you pokin\u2019 in his face, pullin\u2019 at his hair?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa know, it don\u2019t take any kind of balls to pick on somebody weaker than you. That\u2019s just being a bully and a bully is the worst kind of coward!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean nothin\u2019 by it. Everybody does it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t make it right, Nicky.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave turned back to the steps and sat down, quietly lighting another cigarette. Nicky moved over to stand next to Stevie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPut yourself in his place, Nicky,\u201c Dave said quietly, the anger gone from his voice. \u201cYou\u2019re just walkin\u2019 down the street, mindin\u2019 your own business and people start teasin\u2019 you, shoutin\u2019 at you, poking you. Just for a laugh. You wouldn\u2019t think it was funny, would you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no, but\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd everybody does it, you say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nick slowly nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think he\u2019s got enough trouble in his life without you pilin\u2019 on top of it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want, Davey? You want I should be his friend?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sayin\u2019 you have to be his friend, Nicky. But you don\u2019t have to be his enemy, either. He\u2019s another human being. He\u2019s small and weaker than you. We\u2019re supposed to look out for people like that, to protect those who can\u2019t protect themselves. That\u2019s what this country is all about, Nicky. That\u2019s what this family has always been about. Protecting those who can\u2019t protect themselves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave took another drag of his cigarette and slowly let out the smoke, his anger bleeding off with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t ever be a bully, Nicky. Like I said, a bully is just the worst kind of coward.\u201d He reached up and patted Nicky on the shoulder. \u201cAnd that just ain\u2019t my little brother. Okay?\u201d Dave smiled as Nicky shyly nodded his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stevie, who had been quietly standing next to Nicky, finally spoke. \u201cI never thought of it that way, Davey. About how it would feel to be him. Where\u2019d you learn about that? Did they teach ya that in the Army?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave stood. \u201cNo, Stevie. I learned that from my father.\u201d He watched as Nicky\u2019s head snapped up, meeting his eyes. A moment of thought and a slight nod of acknowledgement told Dave that he understood.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that, Dave crushed out his cigarette and, as always, placed the butt in his pocket. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long day, guys. I\u2019m headin\u2019 in.\u201d With a nod and a wave, Dave reentered the house, leaving the younger men standing on the sidewalk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The days that followed fell into a pattern. Dave would start out helping his mother with her chores, like cleaning the apartment or going food shopping. Then he\u2019d spend time walking the neighborhood, looking up old friends, checking out employment opportunities. After dinner, he and Nicky, and usually Stevie, would spend the evenings together. Sometimes they\u2019d head down to the pool hall to shoot a few games; sometimes they\u2019d walk around, with Nicky pointing out people of interest. Sometimes they\u2019d just sit on the front stoop and talk. On occasion, Dave would spring for a six-pack and share it.<\/span><\/p>\n

This night, Dave sat outside by himself. Nicky received a phone call right after dinner and said he needed to go somewhere. Now Dave was awaiting his return. As he lit yet another cigarette, Nicky — followed closely by Stevie — came jogging up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDavey! Hey, Davey! How\u2019d you like to make fifty bucks?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave looked up at Nicky, who was all smiles and out of breath. \u201cAnd what would I have to do for the fifty bucks?\u201d he asked cautiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me and Stevie load a truck.\u201d At Dave\u2019s questioning look, Nicky continued. \u201cLook, my boss, Paulie, he\u2019s the manager down at Martinelli\u2019s where I work. He\u2019s got a truck comin\u2019 in from cross country later tonight. The load has to be transferred to a different truck and be ready for local delivery for tomorrow morning. So he said he\u2019d pay me and Stevie fifty bucks apiece if we\u2019d work tonight and move the load. I asked if I could bring a third guy and he said sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Dave didn\u2019t readily agree, Nicky tried to reassure him. \u201cC\u2019mon, Davey. It\u2019ll be easy. This is what Stevie and me do every day, movin\u2019 goods from one truck to another. It\u2019s easy money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s in the shipment?\u201d Dave asked, watching Nicky and Stevie. If Martinelli’s was mob connected, as he suspected, he wanted to see if Nicky knew anything about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Nicky started to sound exasperated. \u201cStevie and me, we never know what\u2019s in the trucks. We just have to load \u2018em and unload \u2018em.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do we have to go? The warehouse?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. This truck is comin\u2019 in down by the docks.\u201d Nicky looked at his watch. \u201cPaulie said we gotta be there by ten. C\u2019mon, Davey. It\u2019ll be easy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave didn\u2019t really want to get involved with something he thought might be illegal but he didn\u2019t want Nicky and Stevie getting caught up in anything, either.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d he said, grinding out his cigarette and sticking the butt in his pocket before standing. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As much as he didn\u2019t want to do this, he had to go along just to be sure Nicky and Stevie stayed out of trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

They arrived at the docks just before 10 PM. A truck was parked in the alley next to the shipping company’s warehouse, its back doors open wide, showing the empty cargo compartment. They walked into the alley and were met by Nicky\u2019s boss, Paulie DiAngelo, and another man who was introduced simply as \u201cArtie\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave had never met either man before, although he knew that Paulie was the manager at the shipping company where Nicky worked. But \u00a0everything about both men just screamed \u2018mob\u2019 in Dave\u2019s mind. If he wasn\u2019t on alert before, he was now. He just wanted to get this over with and get Nicky, Stevie, and himself, out of there.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a few minutes, the sound of shifting gears caused everyone to turn to watch a large eighteen-wheeler turn into the alley and pull up right next to the empty truck.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as the truck came to a stop, Artie was throwing open both back doors. \u201cAlright,\u201d he shouted. \u201cI need half the load in here packed securely into this truck over here. Then Paulie will move it out and I\u2019ll bring in a second truck. Then the other half of this load gets packed in there. Any questions?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

All three shook their heads.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, let\u2019s get a move on!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a moment of discussion then Nicky jumped up into the back of the eighteen-wheeler, while Stevie entered the empty truck. Within moments, they had an assembly line going, with Nicky handing the unlabeled cartons to Dave and Dave walking them over to Stevie.<\/span><\/p>\n

About a half an hour later, with the first truck almost full, the sounds of cars screeching to a halt at the mouth of the alley had everyone stopping. Dave immediately recognized the police, even before they heard shouts of \u201cFreeze!\u201d and \u201cHands up!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He immediately yelled for his brother and his friend. \u201cNicky! Stevie! Get under the truck!\u201d As the two kids jumped to the ground, Dave grabbed them both, pushing them under the back of the larger truck. Crawling behind them, he shouted, \u201cMove! Get out the other end! GO!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the police swarmed the alley, guns drawn, shouting orders, Dave, Nicky, and Stevie crawled quickly but cautiously to the front of the truck.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the police concentrating on Paulie and Artie and the goods in the back of the trucks, Dave saw their opportunity. \u201cRun!\u201d he told the others in a loud whisper, pushing them out from under the front of the truck.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they cleared the end of the alley, all three turned and ran as fast as they could, cutting through other alleys and around corners, putting as much distance between themselves and those trucks as they could.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, they stopped. Dave leaned against a building while Nicky and Stevie bent over, hands on knees, gasping for breath. Dave looked around and recognized that they were down the street from Stevie\u2019s house and a block away from his mother\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing up, he grabbed Nicky and Stevie by the shoulders, looking them both in the eye. \u201cListen to me!\u201d When both kids met his eyes, he continued. \u201cStevie, I want you to go straight home. Don\u2019t run, just walk calmly but don\u2019t stop to talk to anyone. Understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stevie nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave continued. \u201cTomorrow, I want both of you to go to school, just like normal. If anyone asks, you don\u2019t know nothin\u2019 about what went down tonight, okay?” Both kids nodded. \u201cAfter school, I\u2019ll meet you both outside and we\u2019ll walk over to the shipping company together, just like you’re reporting to work like normal. Do you understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, both kids nodded. Then Nicky asked, \u201cWhat will we do then, Davey?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave looked around, scanning the area, then turned back to his brother. \u201cIt looked like the cops nabbed both Paulie and Artie. By the time you get to work, they’ll probably be out on bail. If they’re not, the warehouse may not even be open. But, if it is, we go in actin\u2019 like we’re just happy that we got away.\u00a0 Okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both kids nodded again, their breathing finally returning to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s really important that you don\u2019t say anything\u2026ANYTHING!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t,\u201d Nicky assured him. \u201cI promise, Davey. We won\u2019t say anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t say nothing, Davey. Promise,\u201d Stevie added.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave looked at both of them, trying to determine if they would really do as he said. Knowing there was nothing else he could do, he draped his arm around his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Stevie. Get on home. We\u2019ll stay here and watch until you get in.\u201d Stevie nodded and started towards his house. \u201cAnd don\u2019t forget what I said.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave and Nicky watched as Stevie walked somewhat calmly down the street and, finally, entered his house. Then Dave turned Nicky and started walking home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened there tonight, Davey?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a police raid, Nicky. The cops seemed to think that something illegal was goin\u2019 on. Are you sure you don\u2019t know what was in that truck?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI swear, Davey. I don\u2019t know. You saw the cartons! There wasn\u2019t any way to tell what was in them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave agreed. \u201cYou\u2019re right. No way to tell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As they got to the front of the house, Dave stopped, turning to look Nicky in the eyes. \u201cAnd you don\u2019t say anything<\/em> to Ma, you hear? I don\u2019t want her knowin\u2019 about this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nicky nodded. \u201cI won\u2019t say a thing. I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Dave said, patting Nicky on the shoulder. \u201cNow get inside and go to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nicky climbed the steps. Just as he opened the door, he turned back to his brother. \u201cDavey?\u201d When Dave looked up at him, Nicky smiled. \u201cThanks.\u201d Then he went inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dave sat down on the stoop and pulled a cigarette from his pocket. He didn\u2019t know what the outcome of this would be but, there wasn\u2019t anything else he could do right now. As he lit his cigarette, he had only one thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

What the hell have you gotten yourself into now?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

To be continued…<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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