Neighborhood Music

Cortez Shoes Pt 1

Cesar stood frozen in the yard outside of Ruby's house with Monse tucked into his left side, and a text from his brother in his right hand confirming his worse nightmare.

Oscar // 9:49

You're in deep shit Mano. Get your ass back here now.

Cesar knew he couldn't run the risk of Latrelle or one of the profit guys seeing Monse out walking home alone, but there was a chance one of his homies would see him and drag them both off to see Spooky. They needed to get out of the streets, fast.

"Monse, we have to move." He said, coming back to himself, his brain kicking into over drive.

She didn't seem to hear him, so Cesar jostled her a bit to get her attention. When their eyes met, he could see the unshed tears building up beneath her lashes.

"No, no, no, no Reina, don't cry. We have to go. We can't stand out on the side of the street like this. It's not safe." He whispered in her ear.

Monse said nothing, but Cesar felt her nod and took that as a sign that she was ready to leave. He took her hand and lead her away from Olivia and Ruby's family members, most of whom were still crying on the front lawn. Without saying goodbye, the pair quietly and quickly marched down the street, not pausing for anything until they were behind Monse's locked and bolted door.

"Is Ruby going to die?" She finally asked, once they were inside.

Cesar pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her tightly and rocking them back and forth a little.

"It's going to be ok cariña." He whispered.

Monse sniffled, "They are both going to be fine right?"

Cesar said nothing. He didn't know, he didn't have the answer, all he had were matching worries, and those weren't going to comfort her. Instead, he steered her towards her bedroom, and shut the door behind them. Drawing the curtains shut tight, he allowed his mind to drift for a moment to what waited for him just a few houses down.

'Not important," he thought to himself, 'it's about Monse right now.'

Silently, Monse had slipped out of her dress and was pulling on the pair of shorts she liked to sleep in. Cesar followed her, stripping off his jacked and shirt, and dropping his pants till he was left in nothing by his briefs. They climbed into bed, and Monse scooted close so that Cesar could hold her.

"I'm really worried." She whispered

Cesar began drawing little patterns on her shoulders to soothe her.

"It's going to be ok baby. Just try and get some sleep, with luck we can go see him first thing in the morning." Cesar said, unconvincingly.

"Is Oscar going to be mad?" She wondered.

Cesar knew if he told Monse about the text, she'd freak out, but after the night they'd had, it just doesn't seem right to lie.

"Probably." He sighed

"Are you scared?" She asked

Cesar could feel a lump forming in his throat. "Spooky won't hurt me Monse" he whispered.

As he drifted off to sleep that night, he hoped what he said was true.

**
When dawn came. Just before the sun started to peek through the curtains on Monse's windows, Cesar climbed out of bed slowly, doing his best not to wake his sleeping girlfriend. He stood at her bedside for a few moments to watch her sleep, trying to burn the memory of her peaceful face into his mind. Finally, when he knew there was no more avoiding it, Cesar went home.