Page 41 of Chubs

Les: Will do.

I watch the bank and surrounding area for hours. Not seeing anything suspicious, I follow the black Lexus when it leaves. Hanging back, I triple-check that neither of us are being followed. When I’m positive we’re not, I call my brother.

“Take a right at the next intersection.”

“I’m being tailed. Is that you?” Les asks.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

I direct Les to a small park near the waterfront. I park at the furthest end from his car, then make my way to a bench under a tree. I watch him walk toward me and the smile that grows on his face as he gets closer. I step forward and hug my brother for the first time in over a decade. When I finally step back, we both take a long look at each other. I’m not ashamed to admit that my eyes are wet, and my heart mends just a little bit.

“My God, it’s been so long, Drew,” Les states with a small wobble in his voice.

“Too long. Way too fucking long. You look great, brother.”

“You don’t look anything like yourself,” Les says with a laugh.

We take a seat on the bench, and I stay quiet while he searches my face for some resemblance to the brother he knew. He won’t find much. I’ve changed my appearance, but life has changed the rest of me.

“I don’t know if Aria would recognize you. Mom, neither.”

“Then I’ve done something right. It’s best I’m not recognized anytime soon,” I answer while running a hand over my short hair.

“Dad called today. He’s worried about Mom and Aria. He said he thinks it might be best if they did leave town now. Hide out for a while until things calm down,” Les informs me.

I think about it for a minute before slowly nodding my head.

“They’re tied up with their own problems right now, so they probably won’t even notice if the women leave at this point. I was worried about it before but not so much now. You should go with them. I know a place that would be safe.”

“I’m not leaving you here to fight alone. No sense in arguing. I won’t do it. Aria can take Mom and go. I’ll need to tell them why, though,” Les explains.

“You didn’t say anything to Dad about me?” I ask.

“No, of course not. I’m not sure what he’d do with that information, and I don’t want to find out. The women should know, though. They might refuse to leave otherwise. Do you want me to talk with them, or are you going to?”

“It’s going to freak them right the hell out, but I agree. They need to know. What’s the best way of doing that?” I ask, concerned.

“We need to keep them contained because there will be a lot of screaming, swearing, and crying. You may even get shot,” Les says with a grin. “Might be best for you to come to the house. Anywhere else, and someone might overhear.”

“Are you sure the house isn’t bugged? Even outside around the patio?” I question.

“Positive. I check daily. We can do it in the study, and I’ll go through it again before you show up.”

My brother and I figure out the details then chat for a short while before going our separate ways.

I continue with my surveillance of my mother’s house but only spot the federal agents a couple more times. I still haven’t figured out what they’re up to or why they only show occasionally, but I know I can slip past them if needed.

During the last few days, the crime spree has continued, and all without my help. The mob is killing each other off at an alarming rate, and with their heightened security, I’ve laid low, letting them do the dirty work. Having been raised in that life, I know the other crime families are smelling blood and will take advantage of the turmoil. Another reason for me to steer clear for the time being.

Tonight is the night I’m going to let my mom and sister know I’m still alive. I’m oddly excited and yet dreading it all at the same time. I can only imagine the pain they’ve endured these years. With Dad in prison and believing I would turn rat, and then being told I was killed in a car explosion while working with law enforcement. Their lives imploded around them through no fault of their own.

The other problem I’m facing is convincing Mom and Aria to leave town. Neither are going to want to, but my mom will listen to reason. According to Les, Aria may not. Of course, it’s easier for our mother to go along with the plan since she doesn’t have a career to worry about, but Aria does. Not only a career but a business too.

I park a few blocks from my old home, then text Les. When I get the all-clear from him, I weave my way through their neighbors’ lawns until I’m standing on the back patio. Standing in the blackness of night, I take a deep breath, then slip through the door. Emotion hits me hard, and my hands begin to shake. My brother is standing a few feet away, silently watching me, letting me battle for control.

The lighting is dim, but I can tell nothing’s changed. The scent, the feel of my childhood home is achingly familiar. The same lamp is sitting on the antique secretary’s desk my mom always used to write out her grocery lists. The same grandfather clock is standing next to the desk, waiting to announce the top of the hour. The kitchen is to my left, dark except for the light above the oven that Mom has always left on at night.

I can hear the women talking softly from the living room, and my heart squeezes tight. I look at Les, and he dips his head once, acknowledging my struggle. Reaching out, he grips my bicep in support. When I nod back, he releases me, holds up one finger, then disappears through the large double-sized doorway into the living room. I listen carefully to him speaking, but my eyes never stop soaking in the sights of my past.

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