COOL JOE, Chapter 8

Family saga

COOL JOE, Chapter 8

TOMMY

Two Weeks Later

 

I hate to tell you, but Robbie has not come home, nor have we heard a word from him. Pete is doing everything he can, without getting into trouble, to get information on the whereabouts of Robbie. He’s made phone calls to certain “people”, and has even paid one of the big guys a visit. We can’t get much information and its so awful for our whole family, especially Sylvia and Simone. I talk to Sylvia almost every day and she is in deep depression, thankfully taking some medicine for it. Simone is also taking medicines and still feels that her father is dead, what a horrible thought. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not negating that thought, but we’re trying to push it away. I promise my family that this will come to a conclusion soon.

 

I live in Brooklyn with my wife Angela and 5 kids, too many to name. Don’t get me wrong, their all-great kids, as far as kids go, you know. My wife is to die for, taller than me, short blonde hair (dyed of course) a turned-up nose (that’s not Italian) beautiful skin and shapely legs, who could ask for more. We’re the same age, but she looks so young even our family can’t believe it. Three of my kids look like her and the other two looks like me, poor things. Our row house is a little tight, so the kids have to double up on rooms, but they get along so it’s not so bad. We have a small backyard and a basketball hoop which the kids are crazy about, and they use it even in winter.

 

I own my own taxi, so my hours are flexible. Usually, I drive during the day when the kids are in school, at least some of them. It costs a chunk of money to get a cab license, but it’s paying me back cause I have a lot of customers and in New York, they tip well. There are many bosses in the taxi business so you still gotta watch out for yourself. They’re into everybody’s business especially in Brooklyn, but I can spot them like a hawk, so I just stay as clean as I can and out of their way.

 

One family hobby is to go fishing on one of the piers in Brooklyn. My oldest three spend Saturdays getting their poles ready and off we go to the pier. I’m lucky, cause I just drive my taxi right up to the parking area, no buses, subways, nothing. Sometimes we even catch fish! I let the boys go up to the hot dog stand and buy some lunch, which they enjoy. Angela hates fish, so even we catch some, we throw them back, or else I’m thrown out of the house. Don’t get me wrong, Angela is a great cook, and mostly she makes chicken, beef stew, or I can cook outdoors on our small grill, but she detests the smell of fish.

Phone rings.

“Hello, yo Pete, what’s going on?” I’m thinking the worst.

“Just checking in, how’s my bro?”

“That’s not why you’re calling Pete, come on, you got something to say, I know.”

“Well,” says Pete with a scratchy voice.

I’m starting to get some information on Robbie. Spoke to Johnnie and all he told me is that Robbie is alive. Don’t get too excited, we don’t know what condition he’s in, could be bad, but I’m still digging.”

 

“Hey Pete, yeah go on, tell me more.”  I feel very agitated.

“they’re still questioning him and I think he might have some injuries, but I’m not sure what.”

“Who told you he might have some injuries?”

“Johnnie told me but then he hung up”, says Pete with remorse in his voice.

“Geez, that’s awful Pete, now we’ll be biting our nails until we know something true right?”

“What should we tell Sylvia Pete?”

“If you want to call her, I would just say that Robbie is alive, period, end of report, even though she’ll ask a million questions.”

“You think it’s okay if I call her?”

“Of course,” says Pete, with some encouragement.

“Promise to call me the minute you know some more news okay?”

“I will do that for sure, bro, don’t worry, think positive even though it’s tough.”

“Okay Pete, thanks”, and I hang up, thinking about my next maneuver. I feel an obligation to call Sylvia, it’s the right thing to do, but I’ll be very vague and not lead her to think the worst, but first I’ll tell Angela.

 

My sweet Angela is in the kitchen cooking up a storm, smells like meatballs.

“How’s my beautiful wife doing? Smells like an Italian kitchen.” I take a ladle spoon and dip into the sauce, nice and thick with a bit of spice.

My hands are shaking but she can’t see them, thinking what to say to Angela. I hate to lie to my wife and she’s pretty good about keeping secrets, so I think I’ll tell her what Pete told me.

 

“Angela honey, I have something important to tell you, but lips sealed, you promise?”

“Of course, Tommy, you look so pale and shaky, what’s up?”

I pause for a few seconds getting up my courage to tell her, she’s kinda weak and I don’t want to scare her.

I clear my throat.

“Well, I heard from Pete earlier today when you were cooking.” I feel a bit nauseated.

“What, what? Tell me.”

“Well Pete got a call from boss Johnnie and Robbie is alive!!”

“Thank the Lord, says Angela with a wide smile on her face. “I’m so happy, can we call

 Sylvia? she’ll be ecstatic I know. Tell me more details.”

“Well, he’s alive, but with injuries and we don’t know what they are, according to Pete.”

“Oh, that’s horrible, scary, say Angela, with a fearsome look on her face. “What could they do to him?”

“Oh, many things, they’re so sickening I don’t even want to mention it.”

“Should we call Sylvia right away?”

“I guess we should go over there, because she will need support and so will Simone.”

“Well, it’s around 5pm now, maybe after we eat; we’ll leave he boys here. Billy is old enough to take care of the rest, I think?”

“Of course, he is, don’t be silly, he’s very responsible.”

“Really? I’m just kidding, he really is a good kid.”

 

We clean up the kitchen, make sure the kids aren’t fighting, and jump in the taxi to take off for Sylvia’s place, a short drive. My stomach is very jittery and don’t know what to expect from Sylvia. We park right in front of her row house and ring the bell. Simone opens the door, sort of shocked to see us but greets us with a half-smile”

“Hi uncle Tommy, what’s up?”

“Hello you pretty girl, where’s your mom?”

“In the kitchen cooking and drinking red wine, as usual.”

“How’s my sis-in-law doing today?”

“What are you doing here so suddenly? without calling, you’re scaring me. Hi Angela.”

“Simone, come in the kitchen please”, says Sylvia with a nervous sounding voice.

“Okay, I’m coming.”

We sit down at the kitchen table. I’m thinking how should I begin? A few seconds of silence.

 

“Sylvia and Simone, I have some good news for you.”

Sylvia jumps up from her chair and starts to hug me. Simone is quiet and listening.

“Wait, wait, wait, let me tell you what it is first. Pete got word from boss Johnnie that Robbie is alive, but nothing else, no details and hangs up.”

“Oh, but that’s wonderful news Tommy!” Sylvia starts crying for joy, Simone goes to hug Sylvia.

“See” Sylvia says while wiping her tears, “I told you Simone that dad was not dead, that you have to keep hoping all the time that he is still alive.” Simone weeps, then blows her nose.

“Do you know when they will release him?” Sylvia asks with a croaky voice.

“No word from Pete, my dear, but maybe more information tomorrow. Let’s all have a glass of wine to celebrate that Robbie is alive. Sylvia, will you do the honors? We’ll even give Simone a small glass.”

Simone has a quizzical look on her face, like she doesn’t believe a word I said. I’m thinking that she still thinks he ‘s dead and they are telling lies to keep us quiet. We toast to the good news, drink our wine and bid Sylvia goodbye until tomorrow.

 

On our way home, me and Angela talk about the discussion we had with Sylvia and Simone.

“So how do you think I handled myself?”

“I think you did a great job, Tommy, the only thing you left out is that they maimed Robbie in some way.”

“I know, that will have to come later.”

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Lorry]

Well now they know at least that he's alive, which would be a great relief, if only their heads would stop thinking they'll believe it when they see it.
Must feel like a lifetime ago they saw him, but a little hope can go a long way when it replaces hopelessness.
Don't think Simone feels the same and will no doubt have more to say about it, but even if not believing, the hope hearing anything but the worst will bring some relief.
Now all they have to do is wait it out and hope for the best, easy if you say it quick enough 😉

[Betty Hermelee]

Now you’re coming to some good parts...keep going, I’m working on Chapter 10
Than you, you’re a great fan!

[barleygirl]

You really nailed this chapter. I felt it was balanced between the introspective/explanatory beginning, & then action begins so the story gets more dynamic. You've developed a unique style of your own when it comes to "internal reflections" in italics, along with other ways of showing the internal & external lives of your characters. Your style works well. This was easy & interesting to read (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

PS -- didn't get to this yesterday cuz my electricity went off for a few hours . . .

[John the Baptist]

The story continues to manage the suspense well, while releasing some ominous details. Robbie is at last report still alive, but we begin to wonder about the extent of the injuries mentioned. I previously thought Tommy was one of the gang's street soldiers, but it appears now he is just on its fringes. The characterizations of all the principals continues to be strong. I did notice some grammatical errors in this chapter, so you might want a proofreader to go over it.

[Betty Hermelee]

thanks so much John for continuing to read my chapbook, appreciate it. I'll check the grammar but don't forget some of it is intentional!!
Best, Betty