by Mike Gomes
“You gonna need this tonight.” Carlos said reaching down with his free hand and grabbing the right hand of Joaquim. The boy resisted slightly but the grip of Carlos just got harder and pulled the hand up to the handgun and placed it on it. Taking both his hands Carlos enveloped Joaquim’s hand holding the gun and squeezed them together. “Don’t lose this. Don’t drop it. Don’t do anything with it but get the job done.”
Joaquim nodded not breaking his eye contact with Carlos despite the fear that was filling him causing him to feel like he wanted to burst out of his skin.
“Over there.” said Carlos pointing down a side street to a door left open at a local pharmacy. The area was quiet and not lit with any street light. The only light came from within. “You go take down that store. Get all they have in the cash register and then walk out calmly. Don’t worry, he is not gonna chase you or cause you any problem. He will be too scared to remember anything. Now do it.”
Placing his hands on the teenager’s shoulders Carlos turned him and pushed him forward.
Placing the gun in the front of his pants as he walked, Joaquim untucked his shirt and flopped it over the top disguising the firearm. With each step a new flood of emotions overtook the boy. Fear, anger, hate, pride, and loss were all present fighting for a place at the top of his mind.
Mom is going to kill me!
Dad would be proud to see I can do this.
No. no he would be ashamed I took this way out.
I can run now and just stay away from them maybe go to the cops.
Be a man! Do what you need to.
Hitting the doorway an electronic Bing rang out in the air from the sensor that picked him up coming in the door.
“Son, we are closing soon so this will have to be quick. Just stuff on the shelves, no custom prescriptions.” said an older man with graying temples and a balding head. His weak attempt to comb over his hair simply made it look worse but he smiled nonetheless.
Joaquim nodded diverting his gaze from the man and rummaged through different items on the shelf trying to build his courage for the job at hand. Heart pounding the boy attempted to place a postcard back in its slot but the shaking of his hand made the job too difficult and it fell to the floor. Reaching down for the card his shoulder pushed against the display and screeched it across the floor causing a ripping sound throughout the store. The alcohol stopped the boy from regaining his balance and he placed his hand on the rack and pushed it further away trying to stand up.
‘What’s going on over there?” called the shopkeeper looking out from behind his cash register.
Joaquim snapped himself back up and reached for the gun through his shirt gripping it tight and pulling it out still wrapped in the shirt. He fumbled and used his other hand to gain control to the questioning eyes of the shopkeeper not knowing what he was seeing.
Pulling himself around the teenage boy pointed the gun at the shop keeper causing the man to unnerve and his jaw to drop. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph no!” he called out spreading his hands out wide.
“What the hell is all the commotion out here?” called a voice rapidly approaching from the back of the store whose entrance way sat nestled off to the side of the cash register station. Out from the dark, buckling his pants and holding a newspaper under his right arm was a young police officer questioning the shopkeeper. As his eyes contacted the man the police officer saw the panic in his eyes and looked out to the store seeing the boy with the gun in his hand.
Panic over came Joaquim and he shifted the gun in the direction of the police officer and fired three quick shots in his direction. The right shoulder of the officer lurched backwards, and he immediately reached for the shoulder being hit by one of the shots. Screams from the shopkeeper who moved to help the officer filled the boy’s ears. Eyes wide and stunned, Joaquim looked around the room feeling like everything was in slow motion. The yells of the shopkeeper were distant and muffled and all at once they all snapped back into real time. Joaquim broke through the door running and did not stop until he was far past the other boys.
Chapter 13
The news of the robbery and the police officer who had been shot spread like wildfire throughout Funchal. The old men and women in the cafes debated who was responsible for an act this bold. Fingers repeatedly pointed to the boys who had been strong arming their way around town with the other teenagers and families. The idea that they had somehow got a hold of a gun seemed unlikely for a few poor boys from the mountains, but there was no doubt that someone on the island had shot an officer and the boys were the ones making the most noise day to day.
The midday sun hit the courtyard hard and the weather was unmistakably warm for two days before the new year. The gang of boys had found a name in MB4 standing for Madeira Boys and the number for the total of them starting the gang. Candido disagreed with the name thinking it was too similar to MS 13 in the United States, but he was out voted on it and the name stuck. The boys clipped things from the popular gangs from signals to clothing, but more than anything, they were now brash with their new-found fame.
“Hey, you get over here.” called Joaquim watching two young girls looking at him from the far side of the courtyard. “Ya, that’s right. You two come on over here.”
The two girls approached slowly holding their arms folded in front of them and looking down like they had just been called to the principal’s office.
As the girls stopped just out of arm's length Joaquim started to speak “You in the blue skirt, what’s your name?”
“I am Luisa.” she said cracking a shy smile and looking out of the corner of her eye.
“How old are you?”
“Fifteen.”
“She is just right for you.” said Carlos slapping the back of Joaquim. “Maybe you girls would like to get to know this man better.”
“I can’t date him. My dad would kill me.”
“Now why would that be? I am a fine and upstanding young man.” said Joaquim getting up from the picnic table and straightening his shirt. He stepped behind the girl and leaned over her shoulder without contacting her. “But you would like to date me, wouldn’t you?”
The boy’s new-found confidence was being pushed by his new-found fame in the streets as the boy who shot the police officer. He never confirmed or denied the comments, but streets cleared for him and the other boys and often they were being referred to as “sir” rather than boy.
“Did you shoot that police officer?” asked the girl lifting her head slightly and pulling the hair from her eyes revealing deep brown eyes.
“Now why would you say something like that?” asked Joaquim attempting to sound seductive. “I tell people all the time I am a lover not a fighter.”
“But you have new shoes and new clothes. Nobody around here has that stuff.”
The girl was right. For his actions MB4 had reached into their pockets and fashioned a new outfit for their newest member. Brand new high-top basketball shoes. Black skinny jeans, plain white t-shirt and a black denim jacket. All of it was without a mark on it and Joaquim was watching it for the slightest stain.
“We just do odd jobs and save the money for our clothes.” said Candido from the far table.
“You see, baby. We are harmless.”
“Luisa come on. Daddy will be wondering where we are.” said the girl in the red dress with the frayed fringe and stained blue top.
“And who might you be?” asked Joaquim turning his attention to the other girl.
“I am none of your business and my sister is none of your business. I don’t care who you shot. You’re trash and I am not letting her be with the likes of you.”
“You’re not?” said Joaquim turning away from Luisa and putting his focus on her sister. “You’re going to tell her who she can and cannot date. I’m a good guy. Just ask around and everyone will tell you. Now go away so I can talk more with this pretty young thing.”
The girl in the red skirt was far less attractive than her sister and a year or
two older. The soft curves and flawless complexion on Luisa was nowhere to be found on her sister. She was more rugged and big boned. She held a roll of fat that hung slightly over her waist line and acne covered her face breaking up the oily overall complexion she had.
“She would never want to kiss a boy with a mouth like yours!” said the sister with her hands on her hips and pushing her way forward. “Those teeth could cut her tongue off.”
The boys at the tables fell silent as Joaquim stopped his flirtation with Luisa and straightened himself up. Making a slow turn to the right he looked down on the sister whose head came up to within a foot of him and looked at him ready for a fight.
“You want to shoot someone, shoot me.” she snipped at the tall boy.
Looking up into the air and rolling his neck Joaquim started to shake his head. “Forgive her Lord, she knows not what she is doing.”
“I know what...”
The girl’s words were cut off mid-stream by the hand of Joaquim covering her face like he was holding a basketball. Leaning in hard he pushed with all his force on the girl’s face driving her back onto the ground crashing on her backside in the dirt. The force of the push made her slide a few inches leaving stains from the dirt that would not come out of the dress just as the mutilation of being laughed and mocked at by the other surrounding boys would not leave her mind for years to come.
“No!” said Luisa moving to help her sister only to be stopped when Joaquim grabbed her by the arm.
Tears started to run down the cheeks of both girls and the older got up and ran for home. “Let me go. I’m done with this.”
“You’re done when we say you’re done.” said Carlos.
The girl froze in place seeing no smile on the face of Carlos. In an instant she realized that Joaquim and the boys had shot the police officer and now were getting used to the idea that they could just take what they wanted and now they wanted her.
“I should be going home.”
“You should be spending your time with us. You can be the first female to be part of this gang. It will make you a legend.” said Joaquim pulling Luisa in close.
The young girl pushed away but was unable to break away from the boy’s grip. “I am not going to be passed around between you boys.”
“You’re going to do what we tell you.” said Carlos. “If we want to pass you around, we are going to pass you around. You belong to us.”
“Here comes trouble.” said Candido drumming his hands off the table and looking behind him.
The sister was making her way across the courtyard with her father at her side. The older man in his forties was wearing long pants that looked to be from being a groundskeeper at one of the big hotels and a seamless t-shirt. He held a cricket bat in one hand and was overweight. In his rage he had all the spring in his step of a man half his age.
“Who is the pig that insulted my daughter by putting his hands on her?” he yelled form across the courtyard.
Joaquim lifted one hand and waved to the man and called out. “It was me and I did this.” grabbing the face of Luisa in his hand he shoved her to the ground needing decidedly less force to complete the job. Luisa fell back hard hitting her head of the ground causing her to let out a squeal.
The man pulled back on the bat handle and held it like a bear waiting to slash at his target. Without regard for any tactical approach the man passed the boys on the table and headed for Joaquim who stood motionless. As the bat started to move forward the man dropped to his knees receiving a punishing strike from the foot of Carlos to his kidneys. The man fell forward dropping the bat and smashing his face into the ground. A cracking sound of his nose being broken filled the air making José turn his head away.
Carlos moved quick and scooped up the cricket bat and circled around to the back of the man who was just lifting his face off the ground. His moustache and goatee were filled with blood rolling out of his nose.
“You think you can just come in here on our turf and attack us old man.” said Carlos spinning the bat in his hand. “No. No sir, that will not do. Roll on your back-fat boy.”
“You don’t tell me what to do.” said the man starting to pull his chest off the ground and looking back to Carlos.
“I don’t? How about now?” Carlos spun with the bat extended in his hand striking the bigger sister in the arm causing her to double over in pain and grab at her forearm. The swelling was increasing, and the arm fell at a different angle than it previously did.
“How about now?” said Carlos pulling back the bat up and over his hand and crashing it down on the same injured arm of the girl in the same place.
The girl dropped to her side yelling in pain. The eyes filled the surrounding windows watching but none come in out to help.
“Stop! Ok I will roll over.”
The man rolled to his back and spread out his arms.
“Here! Is this good for you? Happy?”
“No, I am not happy.” said Carlos moving up to above that man’s head. “This will make me happy.”
Pulling back hard with the bat Carlos swung with all he had. The father on the ground closed his eyes waiting for the punishing blow and howling as it rendered him unconscious. With his eyes closed he heard a cracking sound and the grunt of a female. His eyes popped open to see the boy above him finishing his swing and Luisa dropping to the ground unconscious. Her jaw had shifted, and teeth fell from her open mouth. The bat had landed squarely on her jaw and she was not anticipating it. She did not duck away or try to move causing the maximum damage possible.
She crumbled to the ground in a heap of blood and tears. Her chest rose and fell with her rapid breathing, but she was not moving.
Carlos sat down and considered the stunned man’s face. “You remember this old man. You tell your friends about this. If anyone in this town screws with us the same will happen to the people they love. Understand?”
The wide-eyed man shook his head in agreement unable to form words.
“Keep playing cricket. It’s a great game.” said Carlos letting the bat drop onto the man before he walked away.
Chapter 14
“Apollonia, are you telling me you’re afraid of your son?” asked Falau sitting in the fold out chair in front of the woman’s apartment. Across the courtyard the boys of the gang were keeping a close eye on the big man but not making any move on him.
“I am afraid of him. The look in his eyes has changed. He likes what he has been doing with those boys.” said Apollonia looking at the boys across the courtyard. “I don't know if Joaquim shot the police officer at the store or if it was one of the others. But I am sure that one of them did it. Their arrogance jumped up the next day.”
The big man reached into his pocket removing a pack of cigarettes and banged the box against the side of his hand. Flipping the top of the pack open with his thumb he shook his hand once up violently causing one of the cigarettes to extend higher than the others. Stretching out his arm he placed the box in front of Apolonia and she took the cigarette. The big man returned the pack to himself and removed a cigarette using his lips and placed the pack back in his pocket. His eyes stayed fixed on the boys as he lit his cigarette and handed the lighter to Apollonia.
“The longer he stays around those boys the less chance he has to turn himself around.” said Falau removing the cigarette from his mouth and letting the smoke drift out as he spoke.
Apollonia’s voice drew cold and hard. “It’s that Carlos. The oldest one. The boy with the toothpick all the time. He makes the whole thing go. Sees himself as the leader. Gets the other boys to do all the dirty work. He is manipulative and controlling. At some point it will be his downfall.”
“Until then he will be in charge and have control over the other boys, including Joaquim.”
“Joaquim lacks the courage to step away from the other boys. Ever since his father passed he has wanted to be accepted by the other boys and men. So, he could care less if it is for good or bad. He wants someone to tell
him he is a man and that he is strong. His father could not say no to the gang life either and he died for it. I had always hoped that Joaquim would stay far away from trouble knowing what happened to his father, but instead, it is like he wants to avenge his death by succeeding in what his father couldn’t do”
Apollonia raised the cigarette and drew in a long breath sparking the amber tip to come to life. Her eyes closed as if she slipped into a private meditation as she exhaled the smoke from her lungs.
“A lot of boys are like that. We all want to finish the job that our fathers didn’t. It’s a way we can keep them alive.” said Falau suspiciously void of emotion, “Well, look at that. The boys have a visitor.”
At the opening of the courtyard Officer Silva walked through the opening spinning his nightstick in his hand. His gait was slow and meandering like he did not have a care in the world. The boys in the center of the courtyard were unaware that he was approaching them from behind and their whooping and antics continued to the other passersby.
“A little loud boys don’t you think?’ said Officer Silva standing directly behind the boys with a wide and full smile crossing his face.
The boys’ heads all snapped around other than Carlos who took his time gaging the situation and what the officer was doing back in their area.
“Officer Silva. Nice to see you again.” said Carlos completing his turn to the policeman.
“You boys all look well. Very fit and in shape. Looks like you boys have been doing a lot of exercising.”
“Well, you know what they say, having a sound body helps you have a sound mind.” said Carlos lifting one of his arms and flexing his bicep.
“All of that are good things but I was hoping you boys could help me out with some of my police work.”
“We would do anything to help you, officer.” said Candido, drumming his hands in a rhythmic pattern and laying out in words like a rap.
