Touched by the Music Read online

  “Lucio, that was Detective Wilson. He called to let us know they made an arrest in your dad’s case. He’s positive they have the right person, too. They found a gun on the boy, and they are only waiting to get the...the ballistics back to confirm what they already know.”

  After she finished giving me all the information, she wiped her cheeks, and for the first time since we lost my dad, she smiled. Not a full blown smile, but I’d take the partial upward curve of her lips any day over witnessing her daily tears and hearing the soft cries each night from her bedroom.

  I shook my head and focused back on my friend as he continued to talk. “The difference between the boy scouts and us is they can quit at any time and don’t have to worry about getting beat or worse. You know Trace isn’t going to let you just walk away quietly like it’s no big deal.”

  “It’s really not up to him,” I said and swung my legs off the bed and sat on the edge.

  “Fuck, Luca, I know you’ve been through a bad time with losing your pops and all, but I didn’t think it would make you lose your mind,” Davis said and ran his hand over his head.

  “No, I actually started using it.”

  “That’s nice, but I hope you aren’t used to it. ‘Cause you won’t be able to use your brain for long if Trace decides to put a bullet in it. Which is a good possibility.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Either way, I’m out, Davis. There’s no going back for me.”

  “Luca, you aren’t thinking straight. Give it sometime before you make that decision. I think you’re working with emotions.”

  I stood and looked down at my friend. “No, I’m not going to wait or put it off. For the first time in a while, I’ve got my eyes wide open, Davis.”

  “Eyes wide open to what, Luca? You’re making no sense.”

  “The cops caught and arrested the guy who shot my dad.”

  “Okay, that’s good news. But I still don’t understand what that has to do with you staying away from Trace’s place and talking about breaking ties to the gang,” Davis said as he held his hands out palms up and shrugged.

  I looked my closest friend in the eyes and said, “It was Louis.” I watched the shock cross Davis’ face the second the name registered.

  “What? Louis. As in Louis, the kiss ass and Trace’s lapdog?” I nodded, and he shook his head and continued. “Shit, he hasn’t been around for the last week, but no one has mentioned anything about him being arrested. At least not in front of me.” Davis ran his hand down his face, then looked back at me. “Come on, it has to be a mistake. The cops got the wrong guy. You know it happens. Besides, they’ve been after Trace for years even before we joined. Maybe it’s a plan to finally bust up the gang.”

  “Davis, they aren’t framing Louis or Trace for that matter. They don’t have the wrong guy. When they tracked Louis down, they found the gun that was used in his possession.”

  “That doesn’t mean he did it. They could have planted the gun after the fact. There has to be an explanation for it.”

  “There is. Louis wanted to move up the ladder, and he did a robbery to get Trace’s attention.” I shrugged. “Louis has never liked being the low man of the crew. He wanted to be Trace’s go-to man.”

  “Louis is only fifteen. Regardless of what he wanted, he had to know Trace wouldn’t move him up the chain and place him in the know. Trace has never included any of the younger members when he and his lieutenants, as he calls them, have sit-downs.”

  “Evidently, he thought he would be the first.” I shook my head. “Trace doesn’t worry about us younger guys. We’re expendable. He doesn’t care if we serve time in juvie or even jail. It’s about trust with him. Who he trusts, not if they trust him. Trace doesn’t want to serve jail time any more than the next guy. He definitely doesn’t want to go down because the cops put pressure on someone, and they flipped on him.”

  “You don’t think Trace singled your dad out, do you?”

  “Nah, I don’t think that. The detective said it was a robbery gone bad. My dad was handing over the cash he had in the cab. While he was doing it. The old lady he was waiting for walked out of the building. Right in the middle of it. They think it startled Louis, and he reacted by shooting my dad.”

  “Damn. This whole thing is a fucked up mess. But come on, Luca, it was an accident. Not as if Trace sent him to do it,” Davis said, then stood from the bed.

  “I can’t answer to what Louis thought or if he even knew my dad. But it doesn’t change how I feel. And I feel my association with Louis and the gang makes me just as responsible for what happened. I let my dad down, and he paid the price for my stupidity.”

  “Luca, you can’t believe that. It’s not like you knew Louis was going to rob someone and you offered up your dad. That’s crazy, man.”

  “It doesn’t matter how it happened, Davis. I’ve had days to think about it. My dad was disappointed in me for becoming part of Trace’s gang. He and my mom expected much better from me, and I let them both down. I can’t change what happened to my dad, but I can change what happens to me going forward. And if I’m lucky, maybe my mom can be proud of me again. I’ve done some crappy things in the last few years, and I can’t take them back, but I can damn well change the course I’m on. I just wish I’d been a month sooner with my revelation.” I placed a hand on Davis’ shoulder. “You’ve been a great friend, and I don’t expect you to follow me in my departure. Like you said, we don’t know what Trace will do, and it really doesn’t matter to me. I’m out whether he agrees to it or not. You shouldn’t have to take on my fight.”

  “Seriously? Do you think I won’t have your back in this? Haven’t I always had your back, Lucio? You’ve been my friend since the first day we met. I’ve only known the others for four years. I’ll always choose you over them.”

  Davis was and would always be the best friend I had. Him acknowledging that he felt the same about me was more than I deserved. I would forever believe that he wouldn’t have gotten tied up with Trace and his crew, if not for me.

  “You’ll never know how much I appreciate the support. I guess if you’re with me, there’s no time like the present to face what Trace decides to dish out,” I said as I slapped Davis’ shoulder.

  “Yeah. But hopefully, it’s an ass beating and not a bullet to the head. Definitely not feeling that today.”

  “I think I got something to keep that from happening.” I reached for an envelope on my nightstand and handed it to Davis. He raised the unsealed flap and pulled out the folded paper and began to read. When he finished, he gave both the envelope and sheet of paper back to me.

  “Shit, that list is of everything Trace had and is involved in for at least as long as we’ve been with the crew. Some of that stuff we were involved in, too. We could go down with the rest of them if the cops get their hands on the list.”

  “Not if he lets us walk. On the chance he doesn’t—we’ll probably be dead. So...” I shrugged my shoulders, then took the envelope and stuffed the paper inside. After I opened the door to my small closet, I reached on the shelf for an old box holding comic books from my younger days. I slipped the envelope between the pages of the one on top. Setting the box back on the shelf, I closed the closet door and turned to face my friend.

  “Awesome, but who’s going to find it if you hide the information?” Davis asked.

  “Use your head. Do you think the cops won’t go through everything in our houses if our bodies turn up?”

  “True. So... I guess I’m ready if you are,” Davis said, then sighed.

  I walked to my bedroom door with Davis following me. “Let’s get this done, and then we will come back, nurse our wounds and celebrate,” I said as I pulled the door open.

  “The first thing we toast to is to being able to breathe,” Davis said in a lower voice to probably keep my mom from overhearing.

  “A little obsessed with death, man?” I asked as we walked toward the front door.

  “Only when it is a good possibility,” Dav
is answered.

  As we passed the living room, I told my mom I was going out and the only response I received was the look of sadness that crossed her face before she turned her head away.

  Davis and I walked out the door, and as we headed in the direction of Trace’s place, my thoughts went to how damaged the relationship with my parents really was. I hoped after everything was said and done, I’d have time to repair it. At least where my mom was concerned.

  Chapter Three

  HEADS TURNED IN MINE and Davis’ direction as we approached Trace’s house. On the small porch, some of the guys sat. While the others either sat on the steps or in the yard.

  “Yo, look who decided to grace us with his presence,” Trace said from the doorway as we reached the sidewalk in front of his house.

  “Ya know, been a little busy with my dad’s death and all,” I said and stepped into the yard.

  Trace raised his hand and rubbed his cheeks and chin between his thumb and fingers before answering me. “Yeah, I was sorry to hear about that. Shouldn’t have kept you from checking in with me, though.”

  Standing there, looking around at the others and listening to Trace, I wondered how I ever thought belonging would be cool. Everyone, other than Trace’s lieutenants, were nothing but expendable bodies. The ones who ran his errands, delivered and sold his drugs, or even committed petty thefts to amuse him and prove their loyalty. To include me. In return, we received a little pocket change for our troubles.

  “Thanks. As for me checking in with you, I’d think that would go both ways. Since we’re supposed to have each other’s back and all.”

  Trace’s eyes narrowed at my tone. “Yeah, didn’t think your family would appreciate us there. Besides, Davis represented,” he said with a chin lift in Davis’ direction.

  “Huh, I think it had more to do with Louis being responsible for my dad’s death than you worried if my family accepted you.” At my words, a few of the guys stood and moved closer to Trace.

  Trace’s entire facial expression turned cold and mean. The look at one time would’ve had me taking a step back or apologizing for having stepped out of line. But not anymore. Once I walked away today, I would spend every minute of my future trying to atone for my poor judgment.

  “You forget who you’re talking to, boy?”

  “Nope. I know. It’s just I don’t care anymore. I’m out,” I said, and other than several snickers, no one said a word.

  Trace glanced around, then chuckled when he came back to me. “You think it’s that easy. You come to my house, then start telling me how things work,” he said to me, then shifted his eyes to Davis. “Don’t hear anything coming out of your mouth, Davis. You letting your boy speak for you now?”

  Even though Davis stood beside me, no way would I take my eyes off Trace and the others to look in his direction.

  After a brief pause, Davis answered, “I’m with Lucio.”

  “Ah, the little friends who joined together want to leave together. What makes either of you think I’d just let you walk? Nothing in life is easy or free. There are dues to pay.”

  “You’re right,” I agreed, and a smug look surfaced on Trace’s face, but as quickly as it formed, it was washed away when I continued. “But paying dues goes for everyone. I guess it comes down to what price you are willing to pay. There’s a list of everything you’ve done or thought of doing, waiting to be turned over to the cops. I figure since arresting Louis; they got a hard-on waiting for one break in the case to tie him to you and my dad’s robbery and death. Probably anything else they can tack on would be gravy for them.”

  “You don’t know shit about anything. And I had nothing to do with that dumbass shooting your dad.”

  “Maybe you did, maybe you didn’t. It’s written down, though. Ya think the cops are going to care what you say?”

  “You don’t have the balls, boy, and honestly, I don’t give a shit.”

  “Your call, man. Whatever you decide, the ending will be the same. Davis and I will be out.”

  “I’m tired of dealing with you,” Trace said, then waved his hand out toward Davis and me.

  His movement had the others jumping up and lunging at Davis and me. Punches were thrown, and kicks were landed, and I felt each one that connected with my body. Even with Davis and me fighting back, we were outnumbered. I knew the beat out would be worse than the beating I’d endured to be a part of Trace’s crew.

  I felt the blow to the back of my head, and when the pain began to radiate through, the darkness started to consume me. I glanced in Davis’ direction and saw him take a punch to the face while sirens rend the air. The last thing I heard as I lost consciousness was the sound of squealing tires followed by gunfire.

  I STRUGGLED WITH THE darkness and fighting the feeling of being lost. The effort used to push forward left me tired, but no sooner than a speck of light came into view, the darkness pulled me back.

  The next thing I saw was my dad as he smiled and handed me a drink before he sat down beside me. I knew it was a memory surfacing because I had been ten when he’d taken me to the Garden to watch a boxing match.

  “This should be a good match. Both men are equally built and within a couple of pounds of each other. Their skill levels are about the same, too. Do you think the champ is going to be able to hold onto the title, Lucio?”

  “No. I like the challenger. He’s quick with his delivery, and he’s a southpaw.”

  My dad patted my leg. “Just like you, huh?”

  “Yeah, but I’m going to be better. I want to be an MMA champ. Do you think I can start taking martial art lessons?” I asked, then took a drink of my soda.

  “I thought you wanted to be a boxer.”

  “Uh huh, until I watched an MMA match on television with Davis and his dad. You get to use more skills, and you get to throw your opponent to the mat.”

  My dad shook his head. “Yes, and you get much bloodier in MMA than in boxing.”

  “I know it’s freaking awesome.” My dad chuckled at the excitement in my voice.

  “I’m sure you will be good at whatever you choose to do in life, Lucio,” he said and smiled down at me.

  The softest of music reached my ears, and I turned my head to see where it was coming from. Instead of the ring and fans in the arena in front of me, there was darkness. I blinked, then glanced back to where my dad and my ten-year-old self was seated only to notice I now stood on the sidewalk in front of my house and though still dark, light filtered into the area from the streetlights.

  I scrunched my eyebrows together, not understanding what was going on around me. Through the partially closed curtains on the window, I saw my mom with her face buried in her hands. The scene was unfamiliar as memories went, leaving me struggling with what was happening to me.

  A hand landed on my shoulder and squeezed, and I cut my eyes to the side to find my dad standing beside me.

  “Dad?”

  “It’s time to go back, Lucio.”

  As I stared at him, I noticed the gray at his temples that hadn’t been there just a few minutes ago when we sat in the arena. This had to be the craziest dream.

  “Go back? To where? We were at the arena waiting for the boxing match to start,” I said, then once again glanced around at my surroundings.

  The only thing I’d ever taken part in was smoking a little weed. And even high, nothing weird happened to me. Maybe I’d gotten ahold of some laced shit. I was going to kick someone’s ass if I had. As I debated with myself, music began playing in the background. Besides my breathing, it was the only other sound. A strumming of some sort of stringed instrument. I concentrated and tried to guess what instrument, but instead of figuring it out, I found myself relaxing. It touched something inside me, and I worked to focus on what was real instead of what the weird dream state was showing.

  “Please wake up, Lucio. I can’t lose you, too.” My mother’s voice interrupted my musings, and I looked back toward the window, but she was no longer there. O
nly empty darkness where once my house had been. I glanced around for my dad and saw just the shadow of him in the distance.

  “Dad!” I yelled, and he stopped and looked over his shoulder. I figured out he was part of my dream and not real. How could he be? He was dead. As far as I knew, maybe I was, too.

  “You’re only responsible for your actions in life. Not others’ decisions. Make good choices, Lucio, and everything will be okay.”

  His image started to fade, and I lifted my arm and reached out as if I could grab him and stop him from disappearing. “Dad, wait!”

  “Love you, son. Now open your eyes, your mother’s waiting.”

  No sooner had my dad’s words hit my ears, he was gone, and I was left there alone in the darkness with only the music playing in the distance.

  I wasn’t sure how much time passed as I stood in that spot and continued to listen. I just know a huge weight lifted off me when the music ended.

  No longer feeling as though the darkness was swallowing me, I shoved against it.

  Chapter Four

  “OH MY GOD, TONY, HIS eyes are open!” I heard my mother yell and squinted my eyes against the brightness blinding me.

  “Thank God.” I recognized my uncle’s voice, though I had no clue as to where he was in the room.

  “Lucio? Talk to me, honey,” my mom spoke as I fought to bring her into focus.

  I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could get any words out, my mom moved out of view, and a nurse entered my sightline. With her appearance, everything that had happened before flooded through my mind, along with pain and the knowledge I was currently in a hospital bed.

  My mom and uncle stood by as I answered simple questions like my name and how old I was. My vitals were taken, and then I was poked and prodded by the doctor who entered my room while I was talking with the nurse.