The Sopranos: Caliper Story

EPISODE FIVE (Part One)

EPISODE FIVE (Part One)

A full blown fist fight had ensued and I watched in horror, glued to the floor as there was nothing I could do. I thought I was watching one of those riot shows in real life. I thought riot cops in full armor would come out of nowhere anytime.

     “Hey, what’s going on?!” My eyes move to the corner of the garage door. It was Ross, eyes as large as saucers, his hands were around a bag of popcorn, and when my eyes focused, I realized there was a girl on his arm.   

     Ryan comes up from behind him, his phone in his hand, chewing bubble gum as if it were just an ordinary day. “Whoa, whoa, hey!” 

     Both Ryan and Ross subdue them, pinning their arms behind their backs. Jay struggled to get out of Ross’ steel grip, but that was just not happening. Ross had the muscle strength that came from playing ball.

     Sal wasn’t fighting Ryan. He looked more as if he was out of it, like he was going to pass out once he was let go.

     I get in between them. Sal’s lip was bleeding, and there was a cut above his left eyebrow. Jay wasn’t so badly damaged, but his nose bled, and so did the bridge of it.

     I sat down on one of the car’s hoods when Jay had calmed down somewhat, but Ross couldn’t risk letting him go. Who knew if he was planning to lunge at Sal the first time he got?

     Jay finally stands straight, eyes no longer crazed. He jerks out of Ross’ grip and gives me a stern stare before turning around and exiting. Ross’ girlfriend made sure she gave way for Jay to leave, afraid to be near him as he entered his car and left.

     Ross takes a hold of his girlfriend and rubs at her shoulders to try to calm her down. She had her hands over her mouth, shocked.

     Ryan slowly removes his grip from Sal’s wrists as soon as he was out of sight. It looked like he was driving some sort of minivan. Sal almost falls onto the hood of one of the cars, he was able to stop himself. Ryan and I help him up to sit.

      Ryan gave me a nod then exited with Ross, giving us some time alone. They pulled down the garage door, and I turned on a couple of the overhead lights.

      I sat beside Sal in silence. Unable to express how ridiculously sorry I was. How would you apologize to a guy that was just beat up because of you? Hey, sorry you got punched in the face. I didn’t know that my psycho of a boyfriend was going to appear out of nowhere. Do you still want to date?

     Yeah, I didn’t think so!

     Sal places the heels of his palms on either side of him to support himself while I looked around for any form of bandage or cloth. There was a first aid kit in one of the drawers but they were empty.

     I looked down at what I was wearing and decided it could do. Taking a firm hold of the cloth, I tear off one sleeve of my black sweater/shirt and wet it by the sink.

     I could feel tears coming on as I twist the cloth, draining away the excess water. I clear my throat, making sure I didn’t look like I was going to lose it in front of Sal. He’s the one that has the right to lose it. 

     He wanted to get to know me but I sped it up, I’d kissed him that night at the movies and now Jay’s after him. Like so many of our predicaments, it was once again my fault.

     I sat down next to him and held out the folded damp sleeve. I held the other side of his face and began wiping away the blood at his lip. He flinches and his eyes close at the pain. His lip was beginning to swell up.

     I place the cloth on my lap and refold it, exposing the untouched areas and start cleaning up the cut above his brow. It hurt to see him so wounded when he’d done nothing wrong.

     I swallowed down the clump of tears that was gathering in my throat. I’d put down the cloth and crossed my legs. “So, do you, uh-“ My mind refused to form words. “Do you wanna go to the hospital, or-“ I croaked.

      He shook his head. 

      I stood up and rummaged through the mini fridge to get him a drink. All there was inside of it was a can of beer so I took that. “You don’t have to be with me, you know?” I tell him, my voice shaking as I handed over the can.

     He opens the lid and gulps down almost half of it, as if the alcohol drowned out the pain. And maybe, in some ways, it does. I sat back down next to him and rested my elbows on my knees, my chin in my hands. “I’m not worth it.” I say,

     Sal lets out a sigh after his last gulp, ducking his head low, the can in his hands, his eyes focused on the far wall. Even though he and Jay had fought, it seemed as if he’d recovered quickly. “It’s not your fault.” He murmurs.

     I shake my head. No matter how many people told me that, I still couldn’t accept it. They only tell you that to comfort you when obviously, it was truly your fault.

     I sigh as I stood. “Give me your keys, I’ll drive you home.” I say, holding out my hand.

     Sal looks up at me. I’d cleared up most of the blood off his face, and the drink washed away the blood on his teeth. He gave me a closed-lip smile, the corner of his mouth bulging a little.

     “I’ll only go if you stay with me for a while.” He says,

     “Fine,” I say, secretly churning inside. He still managed to be smooth despite his condition.