COOL JOE, Chapter 27

FAMILY SAGA

COOL JOE

Chapter 27

PETE

 

I am pinching my cheeks today, because we are celebrating the success of our mission.

My only concerns, Eddie and the Boss bothering us with calls and threats, maybe somehow finding out that two of their employees are missing. but we’ll figure that one out at the right time.

God willing, I’ll get the loan paid someway.

“Hey Viv, how are things going in the kitchen, my love?”

“I’m making some potato salad and coleslaw, and pounding those hamburger patties.”

“Looks good Viv, and thanks for pitching in and hosting the family; I really appreciate you.”

“By the way, where are the boys?”

“They’re riding bikes in the neighborhood. Pete, I’m getting a little nervous about our loans.”

“I know Viv, but I promise to take care of it, so please don’t worry.”

“I’ll try not to, but I don’t want you to get on the wrong side of Eddie and the Boss.”

“I will talk to my immediate manager to try to get a raise and maybe a bonus Viv, I’m keeping my distance for a little while; but I have a plan to pay off these damn loans, praise to God. Frankie’s in the same position, and probably the rest of the family. So, please Viv let’s enjoy our celebration.”

“I plan to Pete.”

She kisses me on the cheek, and goes back to work making patties. I feel so lucky to have such an understanding wife; she accepts my explanations without too much questioning.

“Hello, oh hi Frankie, what’s up?”

“I just got another call from Eddie; the Boss is pressuring him.”

“Look Frankie, ignore it for today and let’s have the celebration we deserve. By the way, did someone invite Mark?”

“Yeah, I think Ted did, and he’s coming.”

“Alright then, we’ll toast to our success.”

“You got it man. See ya there, bye now.”

 

The family arrives between 5- 5:30PM. Viv and I make them drinks. There is much chatting going on and I let them continue until about 6; then I decide to make a toast. Just as I am about to raise my glass, I hear gun shots outside my house, or nearby. The family members’ faces turn white and there is dead silence. I try to calm their fears.

“Listen up all of you; I know you heard the gun shots, but let’s not panic immediately. I am going to check it out with my gun in my pants and I’ll be right back.”

 

I walk towards the front door very quietly, open it and stick my head out. In the corner of my eye, I see a black sedan racing down the street; it is going so fast I can’t make out who it is, or the license plate. I don’t want them to panic, but I think it’s either Eddie, the Boss or one of his henchmen. Before I go back inside, I think about what I want to tell them. I think I’ll just tell them that it is a bunch of kids setting off firecrackers, nothing to worry about.

 

I walk back inside and out to the back yard where we’re about to have our celebration.  There is still dead silence with the same white faces and wide-open eyes. Nobody has stirred; it’s like a ghost town. I’m sticking to my tale until I know more about what’s going on. Viv comes running when she see’s me and whispers in my ear something about the Boss. I whisper back not to worry; I’m going to explain to everyone.

 

“My dear family, you can relax now, I went to check outside and all I could see were a bunch of kids setting off firecrackers. So, there is no need to worry and I will continue with my toast.

“We all have been working very hard to get our revenge against the death or disappearance of members of our family (I cross myself). We all had to put up hard-earned money and some of us suffer financially because of this mission. But it is in our blood not to let these terrible events go unnoticed. We were successful in getting the job done, thanks to Ted and Mark. There could be consequences for doing this job, but right now we’re celebrating. So, let’s toast to happiness and our success.”

Everybody raises their glasses and we all say hoorah!

 

As you can probably imagine, my head is spinning at the thought of those gun shots. I’m not that surprised because in my heart I know there will be some consequences. By the end of the week, Eddie and the others will most likely realize their missing employees; and who will they suspect but me and probably Frankie, because he opened his big mouth and told Eddie off; and I still owe them for the mortgage; I paid off some by laundering some money, but I don’t know if I can keep doing that. I have people watching me from all sides. I wouldn’t be surprised if Frankie is laundering too. I sometimes see him carrying a weird bag of something, that looks like a cloth grocery bag, but I know what’s in it. So, he’s making some money to pay off his loans, maybe.

 

I return to the cook out and now everyone is chowing down and seemingly more relaxed at my lie. I walk over to Viv who is talking to Margaret and place a kiss on her cheek.

“What about me, don’t I get a kiss from my dear brother?”

“Of course, you do, and in fact I’ll kiss each cheek, an extra for good luck.”

“Gee, thanks bro; you gave a hell of a speech there; we all hope we’re safe now”, says Margaret.

“You will be, and besides, each family is going to have a bodyguard with gun outside the homes.”

“Yeah, but Sylvia’s bodyguard was killed; so how are we going to be protected?”

“You will be, trust me; these are sharp shooters and they have eyes in the backs of their heads. But, remember, they cost money; we’ll figure it out how to pay them.”

“Well, I think I can trust your intuition bro, but I’m more scared for you Pete, because the Boss may know who is up to this when they see missing men.”

“Not to worry sis, I’ll be fine, I have my tough wife to protect me, just kidding.”

 

Frankie comes over to me to congratulate me on my toast. He is looking a bit pale; I’m sure he’s had a few drinks. His kids come tagging behind him.

“Hey man, did you have enough to eat?”

“Yes, I’m stuffed and the honor goes to Viv who I know did all of this, not you, right?”

“Right, she’s a good cook and a superb hostess.”

Frankie tells his kids to go play.

“So, bro, where did those kids get the firecrackers from?”

“I don’t know, maybe across the state line, not sure.”

“Those were very loud crackers, more like gun shots Pete.”

“I know they were gun shots Frankie, but I didn’t want to scare the family.”

“Did you get to see the car?”

“Not really, it was dark and it literally screeched away.”

“Do you think it is the henchmen?”

“I really don’t know Frankie, but it could be anyone of the gang. It’s only been a few days since the knockoff, so maybe they haven’t missed them yet or maybe they have noticed.”

“Ah damn it, I think we’re in big trouble Pete, I mean big trouble. Did you get those well-trained bodyguards for us cause we’ll need those guys? should we train our wives how to shoot, just in case they bypass the body guard? And, should we tell our families, not the kids, but our wives?”

“Listen Frankie, I would keep them thinking firecrackers for the time being until l get some information, otherwise they’ll be frightened. Now, about the guns, I think it might be a good idea to train them, but not right now. The body guards will cost us, so we have to figure out how to make more money.”

“Are we really expecting a revenge blowout from the Boss?”

“I really don’t know what they’re up to and what they know, but missing employees from their businesses could be of some concern. I think we’ll be okay; remember Frankie nothing said to the family yet.”

“What if Ted calls, smelling something fishy, should we talk to him?”

“I would try to keep it loose, no details, which we really don’t have anyway, but nobody else.”

“Well, it was a great celebration for as long as it lasts”, says Frankie. I got to gather my kids cause they have school tomorrow. As soon as you find out anything Pete, let me know.”

“You’ll be the first one to know. Speak to you later, thanks for coming and bringing the kids.”

 

Some family member come up to me and ask whether it was really firecrackers that went off right before my toast. I tell each of them absolutely it was and I found a piece of evidence to show them. They all file out with a kiss and a wave goodbye. Viv has a strange look on her face.

“What’s the matter darling?”

“I have a funny feeling you’re not telling the truth about the loud bangs.”

“Viv, I didn’t see any car, didn’t smell gun smoke, and I know what that smells like.”

“Yeah, but you know there’s a potential problem lingering right?”

“Yes, I do, but I don’t want you to worry about this now. I’ll tell you when to worry okay?”

I hug my wife for comfort and think that another war is on the horizon and I must find out details from my sources. We can’t afford to lose any more family members.

We both decide a glass of sherry might be nice. We clink glasses and bow our heads in prayer.

Reviews

[Lorry]

I knew not to count chickens at the end of the last chapter and after a lengthy absence I was proven right, for once. You don't just go around whacking people in that line of business without them hitting back, but it's maybe for the best that they get on the front foot rather than watch, wait and see what unfolds.
Your closing paragraph is apt, pre-emption a war on the horizon that will leave us all wondering just who will be left at the end of what has been an excellent tale from those who walk on the other side of the tracks. I of course am on the good side, before you ask 😊

[Betty Hermelee]

Lorry, you are the best! Thanks for all of your accolades!! Out in Pacific NW now, with family, back soon to keep on trucking!😊

[John the Baptist]

It's Pete's time again, and we find him both hopeful and nervous, and rightfully so. It's been only a few days since the family's revenge was successfully taken, and Pete is unsure whether the Boss is yet aware of the hit. He's also concerned about how he will repay the loans with which he financed the job. Nevertheless, he and his wife Viv host a family get together to celebrate their success. During the event shots are heard outside, and Pete checks things out, only to see a dark car racing away. He convinces the family members it was just kids with firecrackers, all except Frankie, who privately corners him and is given the truth. The party adjourns, with the family's situation still up in the air. The story is moving along, keeping us eager for the next chapter.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks my dear friend for your loyalty to my efforts, you’re a true angel!
B.