27. Deck #2
I tossed the backpack to Amos and pulled the gun from Jayden’s quivering hand, giving that to Amos as well.
Amos quickly shoved the cash back into the drawer and went into the office to stash the Glock.
Cori pulled off Jayden’s beanie and gaiter and stuffed them in her purse, fluffing up his hair with her fingers.
That was when I saw the woman.
She must have been lying down in the other aisle.
Cori muttered, “Shit,” under her breath as she took in the same impeccable makeup and complicated updo I saw.
The woman was obviously young, in her mid-twenties at most, but she was dressed like someone’s wealthy grandma, wearing a pale purple suit dress and pearls, along with shiny heels and a matching purse.
Standing, she brushed off the front of her thighs.
“Please!” Cori pleaded as the sirens grew closer. “He’s a good kid. I promise. He deserves a chance.”
A police cruiser pulled into the parking lot.
I’d been hoping Emilio might be called to the scene, but no such luck.
The two officers inside the vehicle initially seemed to be assessing the situation through the windshield.
Amos and I started fake laughing like we’d just shared the most hilarious joke, and I slung my arm around a still-wooden Jayden.
Ding . The bored-looking officers came through the door.
“We heard there was a situation?” one officer said, more a question than a statement.
“Someone reported a robbery in progress,” the other officer spoke directly.
Amos’s forehead creased in an Oscar-worthy performance of confused corner store cashier . “Must have been someplace else. I’ve been on shift since eight this morning, and it’s been quiet all day.”
The first officer seemed ready to shrug and call it a day, but the second officer peered around suspiciously. His eyes landed on Jayden, who did not look up. “You okay, son?”
“Good,” Jayden mumbled.
“He’s fine,” I said, still squeezing his shoulders. “This is my little cousin. He’s pissed I caught him cutting. I was about to take him back to school, but we stopped off for a hot dog since he missed lunch period.”
Amos plucked a hot dog off the roller, putting it in a bun and handing it to me.
The officer continued looking around. “What about you?” he asked Cori. “Seen anything suspicious?”
“Nope. Just came in for some pretzels on my lunch break. I’m helping at the Center while Rosa takes care of some personal business.”
This sparked the interest of the first officer. “How’s Rosa doing these days?”
“She’s good,” Cori replied brightly.
“Well, tell her Officer Ripley says hello,” he said.
“Will do.”
“What about you, miss?” the second officer called to the young woman in the back. “Did you see anything happening in the store, or nearby maybe?”
The woman darted nervous eyes between Cori, Jayden, and the officers. “Oh…um…no, sir, officer, sir. I didn’t see anything. I just was minding my own business buying a Diet Coke.”
Damn. I wished the lady was a better actress, but at least she wasn’t giving Jayden up.
The second officer turned to Amos. “You got cameras?”
“C’mon, Dawson. Leave Amos alone,” Officer Ripley said. “Nothing happened here. I’m not trying to do extra paperwork because some guy got scared and confused a kid in a hoodie with an actual criminal.”
The second officer nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”
They shuffled out the door. Officer Ripley leaned back and mouthed, “ Clean it up, ” to Amos.
After the police car drove off, Amos flipped the sign on the door to CLOSED.
“Thanks, bróder ,” I said to him, grateful that even though we hadn’t had anything close to a heartfelt conversation since I’d gotten out, our neighborhood bonds still kicked in when it mattered. “Can you take care of the gun?”
Jayden spoke up. “I need to give that gun back.”
Amos breathed out roughly. “I’ll give it back for you, kid.
This is your lucky day. Your brother was my boy, and his crew owes me.
Imma give the gun back and tell them to leave you the fuck alone.
Your mom has been through enough. Why the fuck you tryna break her heart, acting like a little punk?
” He crossed his arms over his broad chest, shaking his head once.
“I know, okay! I know!” Jayden exploded. “But when Alejandro asked, I couldn’t say no.”
Amos and I exchanged glances. Alejandro wasn’t someone to be messed with. But I trusted that Amos meant what he said, that he could get Jayden out of whatever he was into. I didn’t need to know the details.
“Listen.” I put a hand on Jayden’s shoulder. “No one knows better than me and Amos how hard it is to say no. But you’re gonna fucking have to. From now on. We all just put our lives and reputations on the line for you… Me, Amos, Cori…and this nice lady in the purple dress—”
“Mia,” the woman offered.
“And Mia. We all covered for your dumb ass. And we didn’t do it so you could keep making the same stupid choices.”
Cori stepped in front of Jayden, forcing him to meet her eyes. “Amos was right when he said you got lucky. Someone was definitely looking out for you. And now it’s time for you to step up.”
Jayden squinted at her. “Don’t get me wrong, Miss Cori, I like you. It’s dope you’ve been helping out at the Center and all. But with respect, what the fuck does a rich lady like you know about what I need?”
Amos reached across the counter and tapped Jayden on the back of the head. “Shut your mouth, pendejo . You don’t talk to her like that.”
Cori gave Amos a little wink— a wink!— before speaking firmly to Jayden.
“I know more than you think, Jayden. I know that if you squeeze the handle on the red slushy machine just right, some of the blue slushy gets mixed in. I know Amos puts these little squares of aluminum foil out on the counter so the addicts don’t steal the full rolls.
And I know things around here have changed a lot, because ten years ago, the cops wouldn’t have shown up nearly as quick.
I grew up in this neighborhood, too, in that shitty trailer park three blocks from the high school.
” Jayden startled slightly, but Cori wasn’t done.
“The main thing I know is that no good can come from you being charged with robbery today. No good for you, anyway. But you need to look at this turn of events, this intervention, as a kind of miracle. Because ninety-nine times out of a hundred, you’d be on your way to jail right now, getting ready to spend your twenties behind bars.
But instead, all of us are going out on a limb for you. ”
Jayden tried to look down, but she didn’t allow it. Arching a brow, she said, “Tell me you understand.”
His eyes were thunderous, but he nodded.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” I said.
“You’re going to say thank you to Amos for dealing with Greg’s crew for you.
And then you never speak to them again. Especially Alejandro.
What’s more, you aren’t going to tell anybody about this, ever.
I doubt the assholes who peeled out of the parking lot will say anything.
You’re going to take this gift for what it is.
And that means respecting the code of silence. ”
“I’m definitely not going to say anything,” Mia interjected awkwardly. Amos smiled.
“Thanks,” I said to her.
“Are you going to tell my mom?” Jayden asked, the first hint of remorse in his tone.
I wordlessly communicated with Cori over Jayden’s shoulder. “No,” I replied. “She’s been hurt enough. But make no mistake. We are buying something from you with that agreement.”
“What do you mean?”
“He means you’re not getting off free and clear,” Cori said. “This was way too big of a misstep to shrug it off. We just helped you out of a felony.”
“So what happens?”
“You’re going to come to the Center,” Cori declared. “Every day. Where I can keep an eye on you. No fighting. No mouthing off. No leaving to hang out with Greg’s old crew.”
“And when I’m around, you’re going to help me with the building repairs,” I added. “It’ll do you some good to work with your hands.”
Jayden made a face but didn’t protest.
“This is day one, homie,” Amos said. “Deadass. There won’t be another chance.”
Looking at Amos with fresh eyes, I took in all three hundred pounds of him, tatted up from his hands to his neck to most of his shaved head.
I wondered how he appeared to Jayden. I saw only my old acquaintance—after this day, my true friend— but I guessed Jayden saw someone harder, someone whose word should be respected.
Nothing like two ex-cons to convince the young folks to just say no to a life of crime.
“You understand?” Cori asked Jayden.
“Yeah,” he responded grudgingly, but some of the tension left his shoulders.
“The Center’s closed on weekends, right?” Amos asked.
“Unfortunately. There’s no budget for regular programs, just sports leagues,” Cori answered.
“ Perfecto . Then, since Jayden won’t be there, he can come here. I could use a part-timer to help clean up and stock shelves, maybe even learn to work the register.”
“For real?” Jayden perked up.
“Yeah, kid. I gotta do my part for the neighborhood, too. I see my homeboy Deck out here hammering and sawing for the Center, plus Cori back in the hood making things right. You’re a little shit, but you can be my good deed.”
I laughed, and it felt okay. Even Jayden cracked a smile.
“Pardon me.” Mia inched closer. “The last thing I want to do is intrude, but if I may—” She looked directly at Jayden.
“I want to say that I’m going to keep my promise.
No one will hear about this from me.” She squared her shoulders.
“Obviously, I don’t know why you felt the need to pick up a gun and rob a store, but I do know how lucky you are to have people willing to step up for you like this, people who see your potential, who think you can be better tomorrow than you are today.
And I have a gut feeling their faith in you is justified. ”
None of us knew what to make of the demure young woman dressed like a congressman’s wife. But for whatever reason, it seemed to be her words that finally got through to Jayden.
“Thanks,” he said. “I know I got lucky.”
“That’s good to hear,” Mia said, tapping his shoulder briefly. She held up a Diet Coke and put five dollars down on the counter in front of Amos. The ding echoed as she walked out the door. Cori ran after her, I assumed to thank her again.
“None of what comes next will be easy,” I said to Jayden. “It’s why I want you to help me at the Center. Working with your hands is good for fixing things up here.” I pointed to my head.
“Definitely not easy,” Amos agreed. “But it’ll be better than prison.” He handed Jayden his empty backpack. “See you Saturday at noon for your first shift. Now get the fuck out of my store.”