The Bad Boy and His Lessons

The Choices

I walked into Brock's office and sat in the chair in front of his desk. He sat in his chair and said: "Would you like to work for me and my crew?" I sighed and I looked at the picture above the fireplace behind him. I said with confidence "Yes sir, I would love to work for you. Um, isn't the work you guys do illegal though?" Brock nodded he seemed proud that his work was illegal. Brock handed me a pocket knife and a blank piece of paper. I stood up as he spun around towards the fireplace. I grabbed the knife and the paper and stood up. I walked over to him and said: "You want me to make a promise to stick by your all's side?" Brock nodded without saying anything he pointed to the fireplace. I nodded and sliced the palm of my hand. Brock took the paper out of my hand and grabbed the lighter off his desk. He started a fire in the fireplace and grabbed my arm. The blood was dripping from my hand into the fire he had started.

Brock's partner, my mother, Brenda Romel, wrapped my hand up. My brother, Eric Romel, walked in and said "The police are in the living room. They are asking about the killing of a mafia man." I looked at my father and said nervously "Let me handle this." Brock nodded and said "If you feel as if you are up to it." I nodded and started towards the livingroom. The two officers sat on the couch. I sat in the chair across from them and said "I hear you have some questions?" The male officer said "Yes we do. Your father is in the mafia right?" I nodded and said "He is in the mafia but he had nothing to do with the murder." They both nodded and the female officer said "We will find out if you are lying." They got up off the couch and walked out of the house. I sighed as Brock and Eric walked into the living room. Eric looked at me as if he had seen a ghost. Brock said "You just lied to the cops son." I nodded as I put my hands to my face.

I sighed and stood up while saying "Did that prove my dedication?" Brenda nodded and said "Honey you didn't have to lie. Your father can protect himself." I shrugged and said "I think he could too but I wanted to reinvent myself. That is exactly what I am doing." Eric walked up to me and smiled while handing me a file. Eric could tell I was confused so he said "Just look inside it and let me know if you are willing to do that." I nodded while being unsure about looking inside the file. I already broke the law by lying to the cops. I know I am definitely reinventing myself it is just a matter of time before that turns into a bad idea. Brock walks up to me and puts his hands on my shoulder with a smile. He says in a freakishly calm voice "Welcome to the family business." I sighed an nodded while looking at Brenda. She smiled at me and said "This business stays between us." I nodded and smiled while hugging him.

Brock and I left the house the very next morning. We got into his white car and drove to a house. He pulled out his 9mm and told me to keep watch. I was scared and was thinking "What if we get caught?" I nodded and said "Alright." He got out of the car and went up to the house. He put the 9mm in the back of his pants and knocked on the door. A man answered the door and they were talking. The next thing I know is my father shooting that man in the head. I gasp and look away. I knew I had to back out of my father's dirty work. I just didn't know how considering the fact that I did the promise tradition. I sighed with guilt and waited for Brock to get in the car. As he sat down and shut the door he looked at me. I sighed and said "I don't think I should be in the mafia. I have my whole life ahead of me. I am only nineteen years old." He sighed and looked at me while starting the engine. Brock sighed and chuckled and said "I was twenty when I started this business. I have been doing this job for twenty years. You will get used to it."

I knew there was more that he had to say. We were driving toward to house when he said "You can't back out now kid. You are stuck in this business and that is final." I shook my head while looking out the window. I sighed and said "Why the hell should I even help you?" He was getting mad now. He was stepping down on the gas and making the car go faster. He said "Scott you knew what you were getting into so suck it up and do your duties as a mafia member." I shook my head and sat in silence. As we met with the rest of the group at an abandoned building. There was a woman around my age staring at me. She was beautiful as can be. I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I walked up to her and said "So how come a beautiful girl like you is in the mafia?" She smiled and said "Because of the money and you must be the boss's son." I nodded and said "I am Scott and what is your name?" She rolled up her sleeve to show me her tattoo. I read out loud "Marie." She smiled and said "I think you and I will get along just fine if you are just like your father."