Remembering Raimondo (Complete)

Here Was Home

I allowed for him to beat me with a lecture. I knew he was right and I was wrong. It's not like I was really paying attention to anything he was saying. I was more focused on his hands, clenching and unclenching, banging against the steering wheel and flying all over the place.

A few minutes later I interupted him, "I know I'm wrong! Okay! I know... but what do I d-"

Interrupting me, his phone rang making us both freeze. We stared at each other for a second and then our gaze simultaneously darted towards his phone sitting between us near the stickshift.

The screen lit off and on again. 'JEFF'.

Holy shit.

I began to panic and quickly reached for the handle. Austin stopped me. "Calm down,"

He picked up the phone, "yeah?" He answered casually. "And bro, how the hell were you planning to record the service without the clipboard?"

Austin's "I know what I'm doing" look dropped as soon as Jeff replied.

"Audrie Hawthorne?" He asked like he didn't know me.

I strained my neck to try to hear what Jeff was saying on the other end of the line.

"Yeah sure no problem. But can I ask why?"

Pause.

"Oh... you know it'll save you the trouble if you just give it to me and I'll deliver.."

Pause.

"Okay. No problem." Austin gave me a look but quickly looked away so I wouldnt pick up on the hint of worry that glistened in his eyes.

I was getting so ansty I couldnt even sit right.

As soon as he hung up I bombarded him with questions. "So? What did he want? What did he ask you to do? What are you delivering? Austin??"

"Calm down. He says he wants me to tell him if I see you in school tomorrow because he has something he wants to give you."

Yeah, a bullet with my name on it.

I bit my lip.

"Will you?"

"No... Never." He sighed. "I know my brother. And I warned you Audrie. I warned you."

He clenched his fist around the steering wheel again. Without another word he started the car and drove towards the highway.

He sped as if he knew his destination.

"Where are we going?" I eyed him suspiciously.

"I want to show you the height of the situation you're in... since you don't take my words seriously."

His face turned red. I can tell by his expression and his tone that Jeff was someone a wig and cover-up wont protect me from. I should have concluded this a long time ago. When he was picking the lock. Or when he pulled out the gun. Or his agressive behavior. Or the fact that he was messing with Raimondo's yellow papers.

I need a plan.

I need to talk to Eddie.

And I need to get out of the apartment.

But first, I need to see what Austin has to show me. One more piece of information about Jeff and I'm gone... taking Raimondo with me.

We arrived at a stretch of land occupied by vacant buildings. Running through the territory was a train track. Austin drove along the track until he reached a house much smaller in size than it's neighboring houses. The area looked like a massive secret partying area hid away from the governed society. Beer bottle were scattered all over the grounds. Placks of wood, tires, dirty spread uot linen, and glass lay around and over houses. It looked like a shanty-town out of the great depression of FDR's presidential period.

"What is this place?"

Austin didn't answer immediately, but when he did, it was just above a whisper. "This was a home."

He put the car in park and hopped out. He took the stairs two steps at a time. They were in a damaged state. Austin stood on the balcony behind the railing waiting for me to follow.

I climbed out of the car.

"Here give me your hand." He extended his hand from over the railing.

"Why can't I just take the stairs," I asked walking towards the steps.

"Audrie." He warned.

I sighed and made my way over the uncut grass and weed that stood tall and proud on either side of the steps. Grabbing his hand, I rooted my left foot on the brick. He pulled me up with ease. I stepped over the wooden rails as he opened the storm door.

"Be careful, the house is very old and damaged." he warned before entering.

I shadowed his movement. Dodging the trash scattered on the floor, stepping where he stepped, and entered the house.