Michael's Story

Chapter 27

The worst of Junie's fears came true; she'd lost her father before she could make him proud. Shame was the dark cloud that hung over her head, pelting her with endless rain. For so long, Junie was stagnant, paralyzed by trauma. Negativity had become the new normal, and she thought therapy was the answer to all her issues. But Junie was taking baby steps longer than needed. What good was therapy if she applied only some lessons she learned to her life?

Junie had a poor appetite for human interaction, yet she couldn't get anyone to leave her alone. After her mother checked on her, Nico would come with follow-up questions; Junie ignored them. Even when her phone rang, she blocked out the noise. Whether it'd been her job calling about her being a no-show or Michael calling to keep stringing her along, she didn't care.

The sun came and went, and Junie never got out of bed. For the first time in a long time, her mind wasn't racing. Along with her heart her mind was empty. Junie felt disconnected, numb, and uninterested.

Another day slipped away, and Junie was still confined to her bed. This day was filled with fewer questions and more alone time. Junie's mood didn't change. She sank deeper into a dark space, still feeling immense nothingness. Insomnia kept her from sleeping correctly, yet, she dreaded getting out of bed. After her covert trips to the bathroom, she crawled right back under the sheets.

Day three was slightly different than the first two days. On day three, Junie could finally sleep for longer than an hour at a time. Junie's exhausted body emerged into the deepest sleep of her life.

Bursting through the darkness was a cloudy, white light. A hand outstretched toward Junie, and she reached out to it. Surfacing from the shining light was her father with a reassuring smile. Their hands connected, and Jay glided closer to her. Jay squeezed her into a hug. Junie relaxed into his arms, her cheek resting on his chest.

Junie wished their bodies would fuse that way; she'd never be apart from her dad. But, unfortunately, life was unbearable, and now she would have to navigate it without her father. Shutting her eyes tighter, Junie could feel her father grasping her arms to pull her back. Junie's mouth was sealed shut, and so was her dad's, but when she looked at him, the energy emanating from him converted into words that she could only hear in her head.

The words that rumbled through her body ensured her that her dad was okay and he had nothing else to worry about. Jay's face was glowing with relief and eternal happiness. Junie would never get to see her dad again but at least he wasn't suffering anymore.

Waking from the dream about her farewell to her father, Junie curled up as she laid on her side. It hurt to have to let her father go but life wasn't going to stop for her. She covered her wet eyes with the palm of her hand as she cried for her dad. Junie would always miss him, he was impossible to forget but she had to move on.

Wiping her tears away, Junie blew out a breath. And for the first time in three days, she got out of bed for a reason other than to use the bathroom. Coming into the hallway, the first person Junie ran into was her mother. They only stared at each other. Junie cracked the weakest smile at her mom and then walked away.

*****

Headlights rolled around in the dark of night. Gravel crackling under the car's tires made Gerardo look in that direction. Taking a hard drag of his cigarette, he squinted at the black car making its way in front of him.

The car pulled up to him. Gerardo flicked his cigarette and stepped over to the car. Staring ahead, he popped the door's handle and ducked into the car.

Alejo turned up his nose and waved away the scent of nicotine coming from his brother. Ignoring Alejo, Gerardo dug into the crotch of his pants to pull out a quarter sized bag of a white, semi solid substance. Holding it between his fingers, he popped his eyebrows up at Alejo.

"I got my habits you got yours." Gerardo tossed the bag into Alejo's lap.

"At least mine doesn't smell as bad as that stinky cigarette." Alejo responded, swiping the bag into his palm and the storing it into his pocket.

Jerking his head to the right, "Turn a few blocks. Berta's being nosy."

Alejo slightly nodded. Cruising down the street, Alejo relaxed in his seat, huffing out his frustration. Gerardo glared at him.

"What was that for?" Gerardo asked.

Both shaking his head and shrugging, Alejo stammered, "Nothing- just cause."

Gerardo tilted his head, "How did it go?"

Alejo scoffed, shaking his head again, "We knew who we were fucking with. We knew... that it was a risk."

"Vilda?" Gerardo narrowed his eyes at Alejo.

Alejo sucked in a breath. Instead of verbalizing what happened, Alejo ran his thumb across his neck. Gerardo's jaw dropped. Slamming his hand into the dash board, Gerardo groaned aloud.

"Careful!" Alejo warned Gerardo, "I have to take this back in the morning."

Gerardo slid his hands up through his hair and laced his fingers together as he rested his hands on top of his head. Gerardo aimlessly glowered ahead. Bringing his hands down, he flared his nostrils and clenched his jaw.

"We knew this was a possibility. He's a fucking Martinez."

Gerardo disapproved with a fervent shake of his head, "It was your fucking idea to send Vilda, not mine! If it were up to me..." Gerardo curled his fists up and then shook them angrily.

"If it were up to you, what? I wanna know. What would you would've done differently? Huh?" Alejo focused on the road.

"Me? I would've blew his brains out when he was sitting right in front of me. We had the opportunity to get rid of him." Gerardo argued.

"And you don't think they were ready for that? Gerardo, me and you wouldn't be here right now if we did things your way."

"So, we keep doing them your way? I'm letting you lead but so far, Alejo, we've had more losses than wins. You want me to take a step back and trust you but you're fucking everything up. We can't go back home."

"You don't think I know that?"

"Act like you know it!" Gerardo raised his voice, "Vilda was like family. And now he's gone. Once this Mexican brat spreads word about us, it's over. We can kiss all this shit goodbye." Gerardo plunged back into his seat.

"Plan B, Gerardo. This is what plan b is for! The kid," Alejo snapped his fingers as he tried to maintain focus on the road and remember the kids' name, "Julian, I think. Him." Alejo nodded.

"What about him?"

"He plays basketball. I remember exactly where. We can't get to Michael directly then we pick his crew off, starting with the kid." Alejo suggested.

Gerardo sat in his thoughts for a few seconds. Sinking his teeth into his bottom lip, Gerardo rested his elbow on the arm rest of the passenger door. Alejo glanced at his brother.

"Got something to say about that, too? How about you come up with something in that big head of yours?" Alejo said to Gerardo.

"No, no," Gerardo gazed out the window, "That's not a bad idea."

Gerardo continued to watch the scenery of the city. Thoughts of revenge on Michael ran deeper as Vilda crossed his mind. Grazing his thumb across his chin, a devious smirk grew on his face.