Michael's Story

Chapter 36

Miami; Blistering ninety-degree weather, booming with foot traffic, and undeniably beautiful. Julian trudged along the beachside, staying incognito. At the same time, he surveyed Gerardo walking and talking with another man several paces ahead of him. While Julian kept to secrecy, he caught pieces of Gerardo's conversation about rebranding himself.

Had this been a year ago, Julian would be nervous about performing the task ahead. But instead, experience built on Julian's wisdom and loyalty to the Martinez family developed into a brotherhood. This was no longer just a job to him; this was life like it was for Antonio and Michael.

Gerardo and his unknown partner halted on the sandy beach but continued their conversation. Then, finally, it was time to hunker down. As Julian clutched his gun, he remembered the specific details Michael had given him "Right in the head. Gerardo and anyone with him."

Fixed on his target, Julian marched over with his chin high and his shoulders back. The closer he got to Gerardo, the more audible their voices were. That annoying chuckle from Gerardo angered Julian more; Gerardo thought he could generally live after trying to end Julian's and Michael's lives.

A conversational nod sent Gerardo's head bobbing off, and he caught a glimpse of the boy that worked for Michael. A warning set off inside Gerardo, and he quickly went for the pistol under his shirt. His new friend was confused. Reacting faster than Gerardo had ever expected, Julian's hand flew up. He shot Gerardo right between the eyes and then did the same to the other man.

*****

Flickering images of the flash of the gun startled Travis awake. Popping out of his sleep, he wiped away the sweat around his neck. Travis's heart banged against his rib cage as he tried to ease his ragged breathing. He licked his dry lips. The heat his body created made his throat feel like a desert.

Taking a deep breath, Travis got out of bed, heading straight to the kitchen for a cold glass of water. Within seconds Travis chugged the water and released a refreshed sigh as he stared at the empty glass. But, unfortunately, his aimless gaze at the cup brought on a recount of his first violent crime just a few days ago.

Travis could feel his hand tightening around the grip of the pistol Michael had given him. As if it were in real-time, he could hear Nico begging for forgiveness for whatever he'd done wrong. Travis didn't know what necessitated Nico's death. He only knew that he had a job to do.

Never before had Travis done something this cold. Taking another human life was a huge sin, and with his parents living by the Book of God, it was only natural for Travis to have the same faith in God as they did. It was now guaranteed that Travis would never get into Heaven.

Nico continued to plead, sobbing louder and louder when it became more apparent that he wasn't going back home. Travis tried to harden his soft outer shell, but his fear threatened to turn him to mush. Suppressing a shake of his head only made his hands shake uncontrollably. Travis's steady arm suddenly went limp.

"I-I can't." Travis released the knot of words in his throat.

Travis turned back to face Rico and Felix. Rico came over and gave Travis a reassuring pat on his shoulder to let Travis know that it was okay. Travis handed over his gun to Rico, and slowly he accepted it.

Allowing Travis to stand back and watch with Felix. Rico looked at Travis, not to intimidate him. The look in Rico's eyes was one of sincerity and understanding. Felix gave Travis's shoulder a brotherly squeeze.

"The safety was on anyways." Rico shrugged as he switched the safety off.

Snapping toward where Nico was tied to the chair, Rico wasted no time sending two bullets into Nico. Travis flinched, his mouth cracked open as he instantly saw the life leave Nico. Keeping still, Travis could only stare at Junie's dead brother.

Rico approached him, "How about you take a few days off? Get your head together." He suggested.

Settling back into real-time, Travis blinked his eyes away from the glass and set it into the sink. Wearing on his nerves was Junie's family going through another loss. Travis didn't know Junie well, only what Julian had told him about her. News was that Junie was Michael's girl and was to be protected at all costs.

Although Travis didn't pull the trigger, guilt was anchored in his heart. There had to be a way to make it right with God. Travis couldn't bring Nico back or take away from whatever Nico had done, but the least he could do was tell Junie if she didn't already know.

*****

Travis kept his back against the wall near the entrance door of the building. Then, with a foot resting on the wall and the one on the ground tapping impatiently, he kept an eye out for the next person to open the door so he could go in.

Finally, a heavy-set man came towards to door to exit the building. The man pushed to door open, barely paying Travis any attention. Travis scurried over to the door, catching the door before it shut.

Yanking the door back, Travis walked inside. Michael had only given Travis and Julian Junie's address for emergencies only, in case Michael was far away. The risk of misusing Junie's address and sharing something confidential with her was significant. But Travis had to ease his mind.

Making it to the third floor, Travis found the apartment. At first, he knocked quietly, held back by his uncertainty. Then, mustering the courage, he knocked appropriately and waited for someone to answer.

Travis shook his head at himself, realizing that Junie may not have even been home. Regret began to settle in, and he started to turn away until someone opened the door. Crazy enough, the person at the door was Junie.

"Aren't you..." Junie started.

"Yeah," Travis said quickly.

Scratching his head, he checked both sides of the empty hallway. It was too tough to look Junie in the eye, so he kept his eyes on the floor instead. The door creaked, making it apparent that

Junie opened it more comprehensively.

Junie saw Travis trembling and felt terrible, "Why don't you just come in?" She said sweetly.

Travis stepped inside, trying to peer at Junie unnoticeably while keeping his head down. Then, with his mouth twisted to the side, Travis bit down on the inside of his mouth. Junie folded her arms across her chest.

"Is this about Michael?" She asked.

Travis cleared his throat and lifted his head, "I heard about," his voice was weak and flat. Travis cleared his throat again and then put his shoulders back. Looking at Junie, Travis wanted to back out. But she needed to know the truth.

"I heard what happened to your brother." He asked her.

Junie's face grew forlorn, "Yeah..."

"Do you know who did it?" Travis asked.

Junie scoffed and then shook her head, "Not a clue."

The words he'd rehearsed escaped him, leaving him with yet another knot lodged in his throat. One thing Travis hadn't thought about was what Michael would say or do to him once Michael found out what Travis had done. Travis was bound by his loyalty towards Michael, whether he liked it or not. If he were to do anything considered less than loyal, the consequences would be devastating. Murdering was a significant step up from being a drug dealer and messenger. Still, it was inevitably a matter of the business.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what your family is going through."

Junie gave half a smile, "It's okay."

Travis hesitated to speak, "I came here to say... to say that, uh, — that Michael wants you to know he's going to handle it."

Junie blinked slowly, her heart dropping when she heard Michael's name, "I appreciate it." She said plainly.

Travis left in a hurry, returning home before the sun went down. Back in his bedroom, Travis dropped down on his bed. Travis wondered if Julian could complete the assigned task; He probably did and was dealing with it at a very different level than Travis. Travis would just have to find a way to redeem himself.