Michael's Story

Chapter 35

Since the altercation with Michael, Julian hadn't spoken to Michael. Updates from Julian were sent to Michael through Travis because Julian wasn't sure if Michael wanted anything to do with him. But, a visit from Rico assured Julian that Michael viewed Julian as family and that family was forever.

Knowing how ruthless Michael could be, Julian was still a little uneasy. He wondered if Michael could be so cold-hearted that he would have Julian murdered. Julian's heart sank as Jorge rolled up near the curb. The only way to find out if Michael had set his feelings aside was to face him.

Julian got in the car, exhaling aloud as he relaxed in the seat. Both men awkwardly sat next to each other, their pride being the most audible thing around. Michael looked ahead, catching a glimpse of Jorge peering at him through the rearview mirror. Jorge suggestively perked his eyebrows up at him.

Michael averted his eyes, "I'm sorry." He said uncomfortably.

Julian twisted his mouth, "Me too. I understand what's at risk. I would never intentionally jeopardize our safety."

"I could have been a little less intense. A lot is happening now, and we can't afford to lose anybody. If you still want to work with us, you can have your job back. But I might need you and Travis to do something bigger this time."

Julian looked at Michael, understanding just what the favor might be. Just as Julian was about to respond, someone knocked on the passenger door's window. Julian checked to see who it was, and it was Nico. Walking backward, Nico threw his hands up at Julian. Remembering what Nico asked him, Julian nodded.

"Who is that?" Michael asked.

"Nico. Junie's brother."

Michael recollected what he'd learned about Nico. Then, checking Nico from head to toe, Michael only stared at him as he turned away and continued down the street.

"He said he's looking for work but... he a little off," Julian told him.

Michael tried to refrain from narrowing his eyes at Nico. A light bulb went off in Michael's head. Playing it cool, he looked back at Julian.

"Jorge, pull up on him," Michael said.

Michael and Junie may not have been on speaking terms but, the feelings he harvested for her didn't just wash away. Nico was the abuser of Junie, one of the main reasons why Junie felt unworthy. He was a poor excuse for a man and an even worse brother. Michael would be the consequence that Nico never saw coming.

*****

All alone in the house, Junie kept to her mother's room. Junie stayed home while her mother walked with her brother and sister. More important than anything, Junie wanted to spend a little time by herself. She finally had time to process everything with no interruptions.

Perched on her father's side of her parent's bed, she looked around the room. Feeling the pain of grief from the loss of Jay trickling down to her chest, Junie's breath skipped. Then, suddenly, she found the religious bracelet on the nightstand, one her father never wore but kept close to him.

Adjusting it to the size of her wrist, Junie held on to her wrist while feeling the texture of the leather bracelet. Thinking back to her dream of her dad, she had to remember that this was the end of his pain. Jay was gone forever, but it wasn't the end of everything.

Easing the nightstand drawer open, she found an empty liquor bottle. It was time for Junie to continue her quest. Collecting every liquor bottle in her parent's room felt different than the first time she cleared Jay's stashes. This time, Junie felt like all the suffering was over. And then she settled into her relief.

Throwing out liquor bottles turned into organizing her father's belongings. She made a pile of things for herself, and the rest was kept neatly in her mother's room. Finally, Junie carried some of her father's possessions to her bedroom.

In the hallway, Junie could hear knocking at the apartment door. Quickly setting what she was carrying on the floor in her bedroom, she rushed back to the living room to answer the door. But, expecting her mother, Junie was startled to find the police on the other side of the door.

The burly man and dark-haired woman stood together with stale faces. The woman was the one in front, obviously the one in charge. Offering a lame smile, the officer

"Hi," Junie said unenthusiastically.

"I'm looking for Reta Rogers." The woman said.

"Uh, she's not here," Junie answered.

"Are you her daughter?" She asked.

"Yes," Junie nodded.

The woman cop and her partner glanced at each other, "we tried your mother's number a few times but got no answer. We have some news for your family. Mind if we come in?"

Instead of verbally responding, Junie stepped aside and opened the door wider. The cops came in, and Julie walked them over to the sofa, where she sat. Mentally, Junie braced herself for what she assumed was terrible news.

The woman sat next to Junie, "I'm sorry for what I'm about to tell you, but this morning we found a man who we identified as Dinico Rogers."

Junie breathed out sharply, "What?"

The woman nodded leisurely, "He was shot twice in the head."

Junie was riddled with confusion, "What?" She asked again.

The cop put her hand on Junie's knee, "I'm sorry. We will be looking night and day for the person that did this. Are you or your mother aware of anyone who had issues with Dinico? Anything would be helpful to us. The more we know about this person, the quicker we can get them off the streets."

Junie shook her head, visibly startled, "He got into many things. Fights with random people, stealing, it could be anybody. I don't know." She shrugged.

"Okay. Do you know when your mother will be home?"

"Soon. She's not far."

"Well, tell her to call us if she finds out anything. Same for you. We're sorry for your loss." She said as she stood up.

Junie escorted the officers out. A mix of feelings took over her; hurt, grief, anger, confusion. Nico was her brother and abuser, and she wasn't sure if it was okay for her to mourn him. But she knew that no matter how she felt, it would seriously affect her mother.