COOL JOE, Chapter 26

Family Saga

COOL JOE

Chapter 26

 

FRANKIE

FOUR DAYS LATER

 

It’s hard to swallow, even $6700.00 bucks, because we still have a loan on our house, and I have rent on my apartment; remember I moved out from angry Anna several months ago and I’m paying her some child support; gees, can’t I get a break?  And then on top of all of this, I get a call from Eddie that the Boss wants his money!!! Of course, I’m in agreement with the family about knocking off Alex and Garcia, but to tell you the truth, I’m really scared to death (excuse the pun). I guess I shouldn’t complain, I mean after all I got great kids who like to visit with me at my place and a good job at the cement company; I could use a promotion and get some extra dough; come to think of it I may ask my boss (not the big Boss) about a raise. I would say nothing about our plan, just let him know I’m supporting two homes. I’m counting the days, even hours to hear from Mark or Lopez as to whether the job was a success. I’m stopping at church every morning now to pray before Jesus that my wish will come true.

Lately, I’ve been thinking of my family members who have passed or disappeared; I guess I’m nervous and anxious about Lopez’ ability to pull this off and it reminds me of death.

The phone is ringing.

“Hello, oh it’s you Eddie; listen I got the picture, the Boss wants his money, well tell him to shove it, cause at the moment I ain’t got it and he’ll have to keep his pants on>”

“Wo, wait a minute now, when the Boss speaks, we get moving, understand? Cause if I don’t bring it, I get s**t.”

“Well, I’m sorry for you Eddie and I didn’t mean those words, it’s just that I’m strapped right now with family obligations. Can I have another two weeks and I’ll scrape up some dough for you, okay?”

“Hello, hello?”

I guess Eddie hung up on me; boy, did I get rowdy! I’m in that kinda mood you know; you can’t be nice and a*s kiss all the time. Anyways, they don’t know nothing about our secretive plan; they can’t possibly know cause the Lopez gang has nothing to do with the Bellini Family.

Wait, I’m getting another call.

“Hello, oh Angela it’s you; now what do you want?”

“You’re late with your child support this month Frankie.”

“Okay Anna you’re right. But you also know that I had to lay out 6700 bucks for the plans, which you are aware of my dear.”

“Where did you get the money for that may I ask?”

“You are well aware that it’s my money stashed in my underwear drawer, safe from you and the kids, though I trust them at least. Next time they come to me, I’ll buy them some clothes at a consignment shop, cause I’m pretty broke now and I owe money on your house and mine.”

She hangs up on me. What are you going to do with a pesty ex-wife? Ah, I think I’ll have a drink after two aggravating phone calls. I hope we hear from Lopez sooner than later, cause I might drive myself crazy.  Ah this bourbon tastes really good. I’ll turn on the TV and watch a little baseball, maybe that will comfort my mind, along with the bourbon. No sooner do I sit down, than the phone rings again; I’m pretty popular today, nothing great so far, we’ll see what this one brings.

“Hello, oh Pete thank God it’s you!”

“Why?” says Pete with a questioning tone. Is everything okay?”

“Yea, I guess, except Eddie calls me a minute ago, demanding me to pay off my loans. I sort of told him to piss off, which probably angers him and that’s not good for me; I’ve been in a bad mood today, anxious about the killer job and Anna calls me for more money, damn her! Sorry for being so crabby.”

“I completely understand Frankie, we all are moody at times, and especially now that we’re waiting for the phone call which should come soon. So, no apologies. I called to tell you that I also got a call from Eddie; must be his day to collect the loan money; I suspect the Boss is after him to get the dough. Don’t you think it’s a bit weird for Eddie to call us this week, the one when Lopez is doing his work? It seems a little suspicious, don’t you think?”

“Yes, I think it’s a bit eerie, and I don’t quite get it, but maybe cause it’s the end of the month, who knows? How should we act when they’re at our throats like this?” asks Pete.

“Hey, I already spoke my mind to Eddie in a very direct way; now he may have me talk to the Boss; but I can’t help it; I am not expecting any calls now except from Mark, Mike or anyone in the family.”

“Do you want me to contact the Boss and try to calm him down until our plan is complete?” asks Pete.

“I wouldn’t touch that guy with a ten-foot pole right now, but he likes you Pete, better than me; If you feel comfortable, absolutely, give him a lie, anything to get him off our backs Pete.”

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do; remember if you hear from Mark call me or I’ll call you.”

“I certainly will, and please take care Pete, we know the Boss is not trustworthy to say the least; in fact, he’s cagey and mean and lies all the time, so go lie to him, he deserves it. Bye now.”

Whew, what a day so far! And I haven’t even got some work done. I have to check the cement to see if it’s good quality, or if they have to add something to make it good. I’m taking a short break now and thinking about this Eddie thing, all of a sudden out of the blue; he hasn’t been bothering us for months. I’m chewing that maybe Lopez would give me a loan, nah, probably not, but hey he’s making some dough with his big job. We’ll see after all is done.

“Hello, oh hi Ted, just the right person to call; I’m in a bad mood and I know you’ll lighten it up right?”

“Well Frankie I do have some good news; just got a call from Mark. He says all the background stuff has been done, so now it’s a question of the exact timing; that’s all he says to me. I tried to get more information, but it’s secretive, so nothing, just waiting. But he says it won’t be long now, so every body relax and let them do their job.”

“I get it Ted, thank you for keeping us informed; we’re all very nervous.”

“I can imagine” says Ted, but don’t be because I know this guy and he’s one of the best”

“Okay then, talk later, bye now”

 

TWO DAYS LATER

 

I’m sitting with my kids at breakfast, so glad it’s my turn for a visit. They really like coming here too. I make them eggs toast and juice, then pack up their lunches and off to school.

Then I gotta get myself ready for work. I go upstairs and look in the mirror to shave; oh boy have I aged in the last couple of months, more gray hair, a few more wrinkles; it’s been a tough time and I think we all took it hard. Uh oh, the phone’s ringing, “I’m comin whoever you are.”

“Hello Frankie, it’s Pete; guess what?

“You talked to the Boss?”

“No, much better than that!”

“OH YAY, the job is successful?”

“OH Yeah man, we did it!! Our revenge is complete. I just got word from Mark who got word from Lopez, so it’s real!”

“How do we know that? What proof do we have?”

“Frankie, remember all the discussions we had and Mark’s word that Lopez is a good guy, well that’s all the proof we’ll ever get; we won’t see their dead bodies, just like we never saw Robbie’s body; that’s how they do their jobs. “

 Yeah, you’re right, we have to trust him. Well, if that’s the case then let’s celebrate!”

“Absolutely, I’ll make some calls and we’ll celebrate at my house; how about tomorrow night, a barbecue!”

“Sounds great Pete, will you gather everyone?”

“Yes, of course, about 5PM, drinks on the house!”

“Okay Pete, thanks for all you do for the family. Sometimes we aren’t grateful enough to you,

But all of us should be. You’re our big brother and we really think you are our leader.”

            

I hang up the phone, finding it hard to believe that Alex and Garcia are gone. In a flash it’s all over, and so much planning goes into this, hours of talking and voting and giving up our hard-earned dough. But now it happened. I wish I could clear my mind of Eddie, the one person (or maybe two including the Boss) we don’t need pestering us now.

 

I’m a happier man at least for the moment. I look forward to the celebration and will hide my fear. We got what we wanted, damn that’s so great. I’m on my way home to tell my kids the good news. I might even call Anna, that is if she’ll speak to me.

 

“Hi kids, job is done!”

“What do you mean dad?”

“Remember when I told you a few days ago that we are gonna knock off two bad guys cause they hurt our family?”

“Oh yeah we remember!”

“Well, we accomplished that and we’re having a cookout at Pete’s house tomorrow night. How about that kids, we won!”

 

 

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

This installation it's Frankie's turn to narrate, and he gives a good example of how these people's minds work. He says that he is stopping by church every morning to pray to Jesus that their assassination plans are successful. Somewhere along the line, "Thou shalt not kill" was deleted from the family's genes. We also get an earful of the family's financial struggles in paying for this enterprise, but the big news is THE DEED IS DONE! Frankie is advised by Mark that Lopez has taken down both Alex and Garcia. This is a time to celebrate. Pete tells Frankie there will be a barbecue at his place in honor of the occasion. One gets the feeling, though, that this story is far from over.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks dear John for a very thorough review! Yes it’s far from over…mor to come
Best
read moreThanks dear John for a very thorough review! Yes it’s far from over…mor to come
Best
B.
Ps I will be on vacation for two weeks, so no more chapters til I return…. May write some poetry though

[Betty Hermelee]

Ps I’ll be on vacation for two weeks, so no more chapters, but I’ll still write some poems and critique

[Lorry]

Hmm, maybe shouldn't be counting their chickens too soon, but yay anyway, they finally have their comeuppance and should celebrate before the next few chapters unfold and show them it doesn't quite work like that and no doubt more trouble to come. The guy hanging up when asking about the money should be an interesting avenue, once they calm down and least expect any other bad luck. (yeah, right. That's bound to happen) 😊
Debts still due point to someone struggling, which will no doubt lead to someone taking a risk too many, but why am I telling you? Get writing lady 😊

[Betty Hermelee]

Aw. Thanks so much Lorry… your words are gold.. and I always appreciate feedback… stay tuned
read moreAw. Thanks so much Lorry… your words are gold.. and I always appreciate feedback… stay tuned
Best
B.
Ps I will be away in Seattle next two weeks so I’ll put up next couple of chapters, then but if hiatus so remember everything you read!!!!
Best again
B.