new york

Chapter 4

The rest of the day was gloomy and quiet. No one tried to ask questions, knowing I wouldn't answer. They couldn't stop looking at me though. Even Johnny. Once it was 8:30, I left to go back to Bucks. When I got inside, no one was here. I was lucky it wasn't a party night. Buck was cleaning the bar and looked up to me.

"What you doing here so early Dallas?"

"Got a meeting. Sorry I didn't tell you about it... it was last minute."

"With who? Shephard?"

"No... some old friends of mine from New York."

He stopped cleaning and looked up at me surprised.

"New York? What the hell are they doing in Tulsa? How long thy staying?"

"I don't know. This meeting should clear some stuff up."

"Well, I'll be upstairs. You do what you need."

"On the house. You look like you need one," he said handing me a beer.

He went upstairs and I opened it. I sat at the bar for about 20 minutes, and then I heard a noise outside. I turned around, preparing myself for them to come in. Boston walked in first, and he gave a light smile, then Trevor and Parker. Ryder and Bryan were outside talking about something, and then the came in. They all sat down around the bar. It was silent, we all just looked at each other. I poured more beer down my throat and then spoke.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Starting it off personal huh?" said Trevor.

I ignored him, looking at Bryan.

"As I'm guessing Boston told you, things happened."

"Look, don't expect to just come here and be welcomed with open arms."

"Fuck no we didn't. Thought you'd be like your old self though. Guess we were wrong. Your buddy told us some things about this place, but we need a bigger picture."

"There's three sides to Tulsa. One where the Greasers rule, where the Soc's rule, and one where the Shephard's and other gangs rule. Before you ask, Soc's are the rich kids, Greasers are the poor, and the others are the hoods."

"Doesn't sound as good as New York," said Parker.

"It'll do," said Bryan.

I heard a car from outside, and I moved my hand to my pocket towards my switch. The door opened, and in walked Tim Shephard. Everyone stared at him and I watched towards him.

"What you doing here Tim?"

"Didn't know you had plans. Wanted to discuss Saturday. New info. We got an inside man. He says some Soc's are bringing heaters. Bob included."

"Crazy. What the fuck are they thinking?"

"Man says Bob's crazy. He isn't thinking straight. They're still listening to him. Assholes."

"What's the plan?"

"Right now, numbers. I got every man I got getting ready. You need weapons you know where to go. How many of yours are showing?"

"Don't know man. Especially now. With them bringing heaters..."

"Cops are sure to come. I know some of you can't afford that. I respect that. Cops pick you up again, man they hate you."

"I make sure they do by the time I leave."

Tim shook his head and looked back at everyone else.

"Who are they? Never seen em. And I've seen everyone."

"New in town."

"They going to fuck things up?"

Tim walked towards Bryan. Bryan stood up.

"Yeah. Starting with your face."

They both stared at each other until Tim broke into a smirk.

"I like this one. Think we'll be friends."

Tim walked away from him and stopped in front of me.

"Boys are getting restless. Saturday is going to be fun. See you then."

He turned around and walked out. He drove off, and I process over everything he said. Heaters, things just got interesting.

"Who was that?" asked Ryder.

"Tim Shepard. Leader of the Shepard gang."

"What's this about Saturday?" asked Trevor.

They're going to find out sooner or later about the rumble. But The Blades going to a rumble? Somebody is going to get killed.

"There's a rumble this Saturday. Greasers against Socs.

"A rumble huh? You and Shephard were talking about heaters like they were bad," said Bryan.

"Look, this isn't New York. The cops, they take in any greaser who does the littlest thing. You get caught with a gun and you're a greaser, you might as well be dead. The cops can't be bribed here."

"So you saying.." said Parker as he pulled out a gun, "I can't just go play friends with the cops?"

"You can't use your act with everyone Parker. Not everyone can listen to you."

"Shut your fucking mouth-"

"We'll listen to what Winston says."

Parker and I turn towards Bryan. He looks toward everyone.

"We're not going to crash these people's ways. Now, we've been here long enough. Let's go boys."

One by one they left, but Bryan stayed put.

"Guessing Ryder told you to play nice? Fun to see he has a leash on you."

"No one has a leash on me. It's only a matter of time until we rule this place. And no one, including you, is getting in the way. Right?"

I didn't answer.

"That's what I thought."

He slowly walked out, and the door closed shut. I sighed and trudged upstairs. I opened the door to my room. I collapsed on my bed, tired and wanting to get away. I fell asleep quickly.

I felt the pain all over my body. I whimpered, terrified of what was to come. He had said it was going to be amazing. But this feels like hell. I wished I was dead. Hell became the new normal.