The Call

by Kathi Goldwyn

  “Let’s do this… why don’t we figure out where to go when you don’t want to be home.” We spend the next hour talking about ways to deal with the new sister, safe places to go, and baseball. By the end, he signs up for our team. He needs this, he needs to be a part of a team. When he leaves, he’s gripping the list of safe places to stay in his hand.

  “And Tomas?” He turns to look at me at the doorway. “Get to know your baby sister. I think it will surprise you, how awesome it is to be the big brother.”

  Tomas gives me a big grin. “Okay, Jack. I’ll go home and see Mom and Veronica.” Ha! He does know her name, and it warms my heart. Then, he’s gone.

  I finally go home at the end of a long day. I feel really good about my connection with Tomas. I believe we can catch him before he falls down the rabbit hole. This is one kid the gang isn’t going to sway.

  When I get home, I pull off my work clothes. I throw on some knee-length shorts and a cotton T. All I want is a beer and my spot on the couch.

  I’m in the kitchen when there’s a rap on my door. As I swing open my door, Jeremy’s smiling on the other side. I smile and wave him in. I grab a couple of beers out of the fridge and we both take our seats in the living room.

  “Hey, how ya doin? Take a load off.” As I slide onto the couch, I prop my feet up on the coffee table as Jeremy does exactly the same thing. Like synchronized swimmers, our movements are perfectly timed. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him all day long.

  “Whew! It’s been a long fucking day. But I want to hear about your job; let me knock back this beer. I’m all ears, bro,” Jeremy grins.

  “Well, it’s been incredible really. I’ve met all my kids. I think Tomas has great potential, but I worry about him most of all. I guess I’ll have to see what kind of impact Derek’s Kids can have on him, you know what I mean?” Jeremy nods. I’m so glad Tomas decided to join our baseball team. There’s nothing like bonding over sports, and he has agreed to show up at the field this weekend.

  Tomas needs a new crew of friends. I hope he can connect with my other boys. I believe kids who join these gangs are looking for love and support, looking for that feeling of family. If they got that at home, they wouldn’t be so vulnerable. I hope to fill his time with baseball, just like baseball absorbed my youth.

  “Damn bro, I mean, what the hell can you do for a kid like that? I’m glad he has you now,” Jeremy says looking my way sadly.

  “It’s rough to see what these kids face, for sure. How alone they all seem to be. Then there’s the whole Alex thing.” I cough into my hand. I’m so worried about this conversation. I can’t even imagine what he’s going to say.

  “What about Alex? What happened?” Jeremy asks, worry etching his face.

  “She finally came clean to me about why she works that second job. ” I can’t help her alone. “For your ears only.”

  “Tell me,” Jeremy says, urging me to spill Alex’s secrets. I get up and grab two more beers and hand him one.

  “She works these crazy hours, midnight to four, a few nights a week. She wants to quit, but she can’t.” Jeremy raises his eyebrows but doesn’t interrupt. “I guess when she was 15 something happened, and the Cribs have her in their clutches now.” I hear Jeremy gasp. But he’s waiting for more.

  “They won’t let her go, dude. I mean, I don’t understand exactly what this is about, but they won’t let her quit.” My words fail me.

  “Fuck, what are you getting yourself into, Jack?” He sounds pissed, but I know he’s just concerned for me

  “I'm not in anything, not yet,” I mumble. “But I need your help to figure out what the fuck she’s up against. Maybe you know someone? Someone who can help us? I want to help her, but I don’t know anything about this. Like, nothing at all,” I say, hoping Jeremy can offer something here.

  “Listen to me, I think you need to be very careful here. You know I’m right. You, my dear brother, need to move cautiously here. Let’s both do some thinking on this. I know stories. You know I’ve followed their activities for years. We’ll figure out something if there is anything. Right? I don’t want you acting out of emotion.” Jeremy sounds so concerned for my welfare. Damn, I know he’s right. He knows I can go off the rails when it come to my unrestrained emotions.

  I need to pull back from the brink of despair. I need to be careful about the whole gang situation. Before I can make a move, Alex needs to tell me the entire story. I don’t want to jump into this without all the information I can find.

  “Wait, do you love her? I mean, Alex…did your fuck buddy turn into...” Jeremy looks at me as he realizes that, shit, I might really be in love.

  “Fuck, maybe? I think I might. I haven’t said the words. But if there’s anything I can do to get her out from under the Cribs, well…I want to do it.”

  “You’re fucked, dude. Right? You know that, right?” Jeremy chuckles.

  Yeah, I know that. Loving Alex has taken me by surprise. And I will do anything to keep her safe.

  Anything at all.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Alex

  Wild.

  That’s how I look at my life right now. I think I’ve fallen for Jack. I tried to keep my emotions in check, but fuck, this dude is hard to resist. He’s an amazing fuck, but more than that, an amazing man. I just don’t know what to do with all the feelings thundering inside when I’m around him.

  Then there’s the whole gang thing. Could he really help me get out? Could we find a way for me to be free of this bullshit job? After all these years of being owned by the Cribs, the thought of freedom just destroys everything I thought I knew about my life. He really catches me off guard. I pray we can find a way.

  I’m at Rocco’s right now. I look around briefly, and as my tables fill up, Rocco motions for me to come over.

  “Yeah, dude, what’s up? You need something?” I tie my apron around my waist as I walk towards my boss. He's one helluva a friend. I’d do anything for him, and I think the feeling’s mutual. I’ve been a loyal admirer of his for a long time. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who is as fundamentally good as Rocco.

  “A dude came by earlier looking for you, Alex,” Rocco murmurs softly.

  “What did he want? Did he give you his name?” This makes me so fucking uptight. Who the hell’s looking for me? My heart starts racing fucking fast, and sweat coats my upper lip.

  “Yeah, he said his name was Norris. Do you know him?” Rocco’s concern shows on his face. My heart pounds sharply inside my chest. I can almost hear the ba-boom. Blood rushes in my ears, fucking whooshes inside my head. I’m totally freaking the fuck out. I take a big breath in. I can hardly breathe.

  “I do. Don’t worry Rocco, I’ll find out what it’s about. But don’t worry, I’ll be all right.” I try to sound casual. I know he’ll worry no matter what I say. And what the fuck? What’s Norris doing here at my place of employment? I’m already fucking so terrified of him, but now? Now I fear for my life—and Jack’s life too. All I can think is what the fuck? And how does he know I opened my mouth to Jack?

  “I didn’t like him, Alex. Like, I mean seriously, you should stay away from him.” It sounds almost like an order, and I give Rocco a sharp look. “And what about Jack? I thought you two were seeing each other.” Rocco looks me straight in the eyes, and fuck it, fuck me. He’s waiting for an explanation.

  “It’s not like that. I work for him. Please don’t tell Jack about him coming by. Please. It’ll just worry him,” I implore Rocco. Norris terrifies me. This monster has come to my safe place to intimidate me at the very least. I worry he’ll do something drastic like take Jack out. Like kill him. Oh my god. My heart’s going a mile a minute, and I can’t calm down.

  I try to shake my fear off and get back to work, but it’s sticky and drippy; I can’t shake this panic building inside. I feel sweat pouring from my pits. Holy shit, what could Norris want with me?

  Just then, my cell goes off and I pull it out of my purse. I l
ook at the text.

  Norris: Alex, where the fuck are you?

  Norris is texting me now? Holy fuck fuck fuck!

  I try to sit down. My legs begin to tremble, and I’m shaking from my head to my toes. I’m unsteady on my feet and wobble; my legs are shaking so badly and my hands drip with sweat. Panic is building inside. I know this is going to be bad. Norris has never come for me before.

  “Alex, whoa girl, sit. Here, let me get you some water.” Rocco helps me perch on a stool and I shake my head, so he pours me a shot of whiskey instead. I knock back the burning liquid. My throat’s on fire all the way down to my stomach. Like fire, it burns—as much as my fear burns like wildfire.

  “Look at me, girl. What’s going on? Come on, tell me,” Rocco demands. Suddenly, I want to tell him about my life. I don’t know what happens, but I find myself spilling my guts, telling him everything. I tell him how I ended up at TABOO and who Norris is. I don’t stop until I’ve told him all my secrets.

  I say, “This call, fuck! What do I do about this call? Since I started working at TABOO I’ve worried about Norris.” I crumble into Rocco’s arms. I’m freaking the fuck out. Rocco pushes the hair out of my face and gently cups my chin.

  “Honey, it’s gonna be okay. Answer his call. Right now.” Rocco tries to reassure me things will be all right. But how’s it going to be all right? I got myself into this bullshit, and I’m lost in murky darkness. I can’t even feel my fingertips. My brain freezes, and my body shakes so badly I can barely hold myself up on the barstool. My phone slips out of my sweaty hands and falls on top of the bar.

  “Don’t worry, Rocco. I have to go. Don’t be mad, please. I need to go.” I hope he lets it go. I hope he’ll sit back and let me walk out the door. I look into his eyes, pleading. My lips feel numb, but I have to get a grip!

  “I’m not mad, honey, I’m worried. Of course, you can go. You look like a fucking ghost.” Rocco’s a tough-as-nails man; I’ve never seen him scared of anything. I want to leave without dragging him any more into my fucked-up mess. I start to doubt my decision to tell him the story.

  “Dude, if Norris is coming by and texting, something’s going on. I don’t know if he’s pissed or what, but I have to go. Please, let it go. Just let me go, okay?” I plead my case. I love this old dude, but I worry that he wants to get involved. I know this whole spilling-the-beans thing was a bad idea, but I just can’t do this alone, not anymore. “We’ll talk more later, okay? Just let me go now,” I say. My lips freeze.

  I fucking need to leave now, before Norris gets pissed and does something stupid. My heart rapidly beats a frightening solo. He’s an impulsive fuck, and I hope Rocco is smart about this. I get the feeling he knows I’m up against some crazy bullshit, and no matter what I say he’s going to freak out with worry.

  But I need him to let me leave. I hope I haven’t taken too long to get back to Norris. I never know what kind of mood I’ll find him in, but I don’t want to push it. Dude is a horrible beast, and I’ve kept him at arm's length all these years.

  “Okay, go. But you need to let me know you’re all right.” It feels good to have Rocco at my back. Fuck, I probably should have told him sooner. Both Jack and Rocco have my back; I’m not alone, not anymore. My emotions flip flop as I go from freaked out scared to reassured.

  As I walk out the door, I text Norris back.

  Me: I’m here, what do you need?

  A text comes back immediately.

  Norris: Come to work NOW.

  Holy shit, what the hell is this all about? This has never happened before. I consider all my options. If I go to TABOO, I worry I won’t get out of there alive. But if I don’t go, Norris could kill me for ignoring his demand. I decide I only have one option.

  I rush out the door and urgently jump in a cab waiting by the curb. I give the driver the address and say, “Get me there fast, please. There’s an extra twenty in it for you,” I promise.

  “Yes ma’am,” he barks. I sit back and watch the streets buzz by. I’m thinking over what this could mean. The cab screeches to a stop in front of TABOO and I pay the cabbie, laying the extra $20 in the palm of his hand.

  Suddenly, I have a change of heart. I’m not going to just fall at Norris’s feet. Fuck him! I tell the cab driver to take me home. As I rattle off my address, we drive away from Taboo. Something’s telling me if I go in there, I won’t come back out alive. I run home like the little bitch I feel right now. Fuck Norris and whatever he wants.

  Today, I demand my freedom. Hell yeah, he can’t own my ass anymore

  “Forget you saw me, man.” I get out of the car as soon as he pulls up to my place. I ty to breathe while I run to the door and get inside quickly. I lock all three locks on my door, including the state-of-the-art dead bolt I just installed. Then I go around and check every single window to make sure they’re locked up tight.

  Finally, I pour myself a shot of vodka and sit down on my couch. I’m home where I feel safe. I remember to text Rocco.

  Me: I’m safe at home.

  I get a text back quickly.

  Rocco: Stay safe. Let me know if things change.

  Today is my Independence Day!

  Hell yeah. I’m not your slave bitch anymore, asshole.

  I’m taking back my power, and as of today, Norris, I’m saying I’m a free woman.

  I’m going to find my way to FREEDOM.

  Chapter Thirty

  Jack

  I go to the park to coach the team today. These kids are amazing, and I’m already attached to every single one of them. Tomas shows up, and he’s fitting right in.

  “Hey Tomas, you want to grab third base today?”

  Tomas grips his glove. “Yay, Mr. Jack, I love third base!” He runs straight out to the field. He’s a good little hitter, and the other kids have accepted him as part of the team. I see new friendships forming as they practice. It does my heart good.

  At the end of the day, I say, “You did great dude!” then add, “You’re joining us, right?”

  Tomas gives me another happy grin. “Yes, it’s great to get out, and I really want to play third base. Is that okay, Mr. Jack?” He gives me a bright, happy smile. He looks relaxed for the first time since I met him.

  Charles is so much fun to watch. He’s really freaking talented. I remind myself to connect with Derek to find out when the scouts are coming to see our star player. We work on his fast ball and I explain how the whole Triple-A thing works.

  “Really Jack? You think I’m good enough?” Charles is freaking excited.

  “Charles, you’re that good,” I reassure him with a chuckle.

  The team is made up of great players, and I laugh my guts out all afternoon. I text Alex.

  Me: Hey girl, what you up to?

  But I get nothing back.

  I think maybe she’s working, and then I get so busy I forget about it.

  By the time I get home, I still haven’t heard from her. She’s never ignored me before. Not like this. Not ever, really. I start getting worried. Maybe…naw, she wouldn’t just ignore me if she had time. She would have said something to my face instead of blowing me off if she changed her mind about us. But then maybe it’s something else, and I start thinking about our last deep conversation. I start to worry for my girl.

  What the fuck, right? It finally dawns on me when I shove away my freaking ego that something’s wrong. After her confession about everything she’s been going through, I’ve been worried about her. What the fuck’s going on? Is Norris behind this?

  I decide to text her again.

  Me: Where are you?

  But there’s nothing. Just nothing. I don’t know why she’s not texting back, but my concern grows. Something’s definitely wrong.

  I try to think rationally and decide to stop by her place to check on her. What if she’s sick? What if the Cribs have done something? Or that asshole, Norris? Fuck! I want to freak out, but I try to stay levelheaded.

  I don’t want to even think abou
t this powerful group of men or what they could do to her. I want to get her out of their grasp, but I still haven’t figured out what it’ll take to buy her freedom. For now, I need to focus on what might be wrong. I think back on the last time I saw her.

  “Jack, it’s fine. I don’t want you to worry. I’ve been doing this for years. I’m not going to get hurt or anything,” Alex tried to reassure me with a weak smile. But I wasn’t buying it. Her voice was calm, but I wasn’t feeling calm.

  “Baby, I worry about you. You have to lay low. Don’t attract any attention to yourself. You understand?” She nodded, and I felt confident I could protect her then.

  Maybe something happened to her. Maybe it’s as simple as that.

  “Well, I still worry about you getting involved with all this bullshit. I didn’t tell you so you’d get all crazy up in here. I know you could get hurt, honey. I don’t want that. You mean so much to me.” She slipped her arms around my neck and nuzzled in. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her tight up against me. This woman…holy hell, I feel like I’m falling deeper for her with every passing day.

  Fuck! What now? I know we are more now, more than fuck buddies, and I can’t leave her out in the wind. I’ve got to find out what’s going the fuck on!

  I finish my workday and run around getting ready to leave. I’m sticking away my notes for tomorrow when Marge walks in.

  “Jack, you got a minute?” she asks looking around furtively.

  “Sure, what’s up? You look nervous, what’s wrong?” I ask, not sure where this will take me.

  “I got a weird text. I don’t know what to think. But then...” I wonder what this is about.

  “Tell me what it said, Marge.” My heart starts thumping inside my chest. Oh my god, what’s this about? I mean, I want to get out of here, but if Marge is having a problem, I can’t just blow her off.

  “It says, Tell your boss: shit is going down. What the hell, Jack? What does that mean?” Marge looks as worried as I feel. What the fuck? I don’t even know what to think. Does this have something to do with Alex? Of course it does. Duh. Oh fuck! My mind begins to race full speed ahead, and I can’t control where it leads. I’m so fucking worried. Who is this fucker, and why is he sending me cryptic messages through my assistant?