Michael's Story

Chapter 30

The courts boomed with a lively basketball game. Travis and Julian were on the same team and taking the lead as usual. The sun was high, but the air was soothing and light.

Getting up off the bleachers, Trinity dusted the back of her shorts. She held her hand in the air, trying to catch Julian's attention while he was on the court. Finally noticing Trinity, Julian called for a time-out and then jogged over to her.

"I'm gonna go home," Trinity said to him.

"Okay, I'll meet you there when I'm done." Julian winked at her.

Julian leaned in, pecking Trinity on the lips as a smile broke out on her face, "Don't take too long." Trinity playfully shoved him away.

Julian walked backward as he admired Trinity. She sent a kiss his way and then began walking the border of the court while the game resumed.

The car door closed with the sound of a loud thunk. Drawing a gun from his waistband, Alejo stalked around the front of the vehicle. With another cigarette lodged between his lips, Gerardo squinted his eyes to see if he could spot their target.

Alejo made his way next to his brother. And then Gerardo pointed Julian out in the crowd. Alejo looked both ways, ensuring no one else was watching.

Alejo spotted a beautiful, brown-skinned girl just leaving the courts. Their eyes locked for a second. Alejo winked at her and followed up with a wave, but the girl nervously looked away. Alejo watched her, letting her walk further before aiming his sights at Julian.

Raising his gun, Alejo tried to steady it on Julian. But, due to Julian jogging, it was hard for Alejo to get a clear shot. Gerardo puffed on his cigarette, annoyed that his brother hadn't pulled the trigger yet.

"Every second you stand, there is another year in prison."

"Aren't you supposed to be helping?" Alejo said, keeping one eye closed to help him with his aim.

"I'm about to right now." Gerardo tucked his cigarette between his lips, snatched his gun, and cocked it back. Gerardo settled his aim on Julian and then fired but missed. As people ducked,

Gerardo kept gunning for Julian.

Following his brother's lead, Alejo fired too. People began scattering on the courts, escaping bullets as they heard more gunshots. Tossing his cigarette, Gerardo grunted, upset that they'd missed Julian. The two jumped back into the car and skirted off.

Chaos ensued, people, belting out screams and linking hands with each other as they ran to safety. Travis yanked Julian by the arm, leading him in the opposite direction of where the shots came from. The shooting had already stopped, and Julian tried to look behind them to see who was fleeing from the scene. But, unfortunately, he couldn't see anyone.

Julian and Travis sprinted the few blocks to Travis's house. Dropping down on the concrete step to catch his breath, Travis watched Julian pace back and forth with his hands on his hips. Julian kicked up gravel from the pavement.

"I don't know if that was for us or somebody else," Travis said between breaths.

"I think I got a good idea who it was for," Julian said, "And I left my phone! FUCK!" Julian thrust his hands.

"Sit down," Travis said to Julian.

Julian paced some more, agitated that someone had been coming for them. Digging deeper under his skin was the thought of Michael cutting him off. If Michael wanted nothing to do with Julian, did that mean he was no longer protected?

Enraging Julian even more, he thought about how Trinity could've gotten hurt. But then, Julian became a bundle of nerves, realizing that Trinity had barely reached the gates just before the shooting began.

"I can't. I need to check on Trinity. Come with me." Julian said.

Unable to object, Travis rose from the porch. Julian was still antsy. Travis took Julian under his arm and patted his chest. Julian tucked his chin, ashamed that he'd lost control of himself. He always tried to keep calm, but today tested Julian's patience.

"Calm down, man."

Julian kept silent, something g he did when he was taking in what Travis was saying to him. Then, they began walking down the street, heading the following two blocks over to Trinity's house.

*****

Gunshots echoed through Trinity's mind as she dialed Julian's number for the thousandth time. Then, tapping her foot anxiously, Trying typed up a text and sent it to Julian.

Julian and Trinity both agreed to take things slowly. Julian wanted to make sure Trinity was comfortable, and Trinity wanted to make sure Julian was all in. It felt good for Trinity to finally be on the same page as someone. Good things, though, seemed to avoid her.

A break was long overdue for Trinity. Her brain was overworked, and her body was drained.

Although Trinity was grateful to have a mother who would look after her son for a while, she would rather have him back home with her. She and her mother agreed that she'd allow Trinity time to herself after experiencing so much dysfunction with Eric. Their son needed a break from dysfunction, too.

Most days, Trinity felt like the worst parent on planet Earth. But, some days, the determination plowed deep inside her would spring up and remind her of everything she could do for her son. With Julian around, those days were becoming more often.

Trinity had never had anyone say as nice things to her as Julian did. She lacked the confidence to be as lovely to herself as Julian was to her. Each compliment Julian fed her made her see the potential in herself. She had a long way to go regarding self-esteem but suddenly felt like she could get there.

Trinity couldn't fathom experiencing someone as great as Julian and having him taken away from her so soon. Running out of options, Trinity sat down on the couch to brainstorm. And then, someone repeatedly rang the doorbell. Finally, yanking her door wide open, Trinity met face-to-face with Julian.

Trinity tackled him with a hug, "I thought something happened to you."

Julian hugged her, "I was worried about you, too."

Trinity let Julian and Travis in, locking the door behind them. Travis sat down while Julian stood authoritatively. Clasping her hands together, Trinity felt terrible for Julian.

"They were shooting at you?" She asked.

"Or Travis... or both," Julian replied.

Trinity remembered the two men standing on the curb watching the guys play basketball moments before the shooting started.

"I think I saw them," Trinity said in low confidence.

Julian's eyes flickered with interest, "You think, or you know?"

"I mean," Trinity glanced at Travis, who too was interested, and then back to Julian, "I saw two people just standing there right before I heard gunshots."

Travis and Julian peered at each other, piecing together who the shooters were. Alejo and Gerardo were the suspects, but Julian needed to confirm this to send this information back to Michael. Julian was sure their loyalty could have been destroyed by one argument.

Julian stepped closer, "How did they look?"

Trinity gestured with her hand, "One of them had a shortcut, and the other had hair just above his shoulders. They were white and tall. The one with the longer hair winked at me. I think he was flirting." Trinity told Julian.

"I knew it." Travis blurted out as he stood up, "We gotta call Michael." He waved for Julian to come with him.

Urgently, Julian moved over to Trinity and took her by the hands. He stared into her eyes. Then, Julian planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you. I'll be back later, okay?"

Trinity muttered an okay. Julian rushed out of the door. Pushing it back open, he popped his head in.

"Don't forget to lock the door." Julian reminded Trinity before he shut the door again.