Chapter 13.5
He ordered greasy eggs and not quite done bacon. These were not the specific words out of his mouth of course. This was simply the best or worst this hole could produce. Still Mario needed it. He needed to be “un fuzzy” for once to process what was happening. “How could she have done this? After all I have done for her!” he thought. He shook his head. How could she bring a baby in the house? Who was going to take care of it? Maria could not even take care of herself he mused. He had been like a father to her whole life. A bizarre father to be sure. Mario could not see how perverse his way of thinking was. He actually felt as if he was of benefit to his sister. He was actually a detriment, a leach that stayed afloat off people who were weaker than him. The problem with his victims is that they were too stoned to know that they were not lesser. Specifically, his commodities were leaches in their own right. They were in with Mario for the quick easy fixes. They loved the lifestyle so he easily held reign over them. He would occasionally have to give the appearance of a bad guy, but ultimately it was the threat of withholding drugs that won the day. He had lost the grip he had over Maria all of their lives. “Why did she have to be with those thugs anyway?” Maria had used the drug lord’s employment to escape Mario’s. He couldn’t see that it was an upgrade from her body being the product. Mario thought back to when his mother had left them both. She had met the man of her dreams and left them to fend for themselves. They were fortunate in that they did not really bounce from place to place. They made enough to eat off Maria’s loins. Even then, he thought he was looking out for her best interests. She endured things she should not have at any age. Grown men were willing to pay more than his peers. Suddenly, Mario thought he had a career. He never could handle the women he collected and his sister was beginning to rebel as well. So, he had to shoot her up with that bitch: Heroin. Heroin could keep a dinosaur under control. It was the best thing he could’ve done. She was loyal for years until that dope dealer intervened. He thoughtfully chewed the eggs, wishing he had ordered hash browns or grits. The dry as dry wall toast would have to do. He washed it down with coffee and got a refill from Lucille Ball. He felt a panic rise as he was lost in further thought. What if Maria decided to move out? “No.” he thought “she wouldn’t do that.” Would she? What if she decided she needed leave? In a strange twist of sudden common sense, he thought that the baby’s best chance might not be a drug infested abode. That quickly dissipated into selfishness. “She’s not leaving.” He said to himself scowling. She was his meal ticket and he viewed this as his opportunity to get her back. Briggs would have to kill him to get her back he thought. This time it wasn’t bravado so much as desperation. He was not going to be stuck with the girls he was barely getting by with. This was his chance to get back on top and he was not about to blow it.
Maria left the house with a song on her heart and a plan in her mind. She went to work thinking of asking to do a bid in the marijuana fields. There she could do as much work as needed and get paid a little extra. The fields were on the remote outskirts of the city. She had built up enough good equity to be able to get the gig. No one mistrusted her at this point. She had been under Briggs’ employ for about two years now. The weather had turned and the work consisted of the indoor type. They had what was called the “greenhouse” as the planting for the spring would be next year. So Briggs had the Greenhouse with ultraviolet light on the plants. This yielded less than the fields and Arturo made up for it by purchasing directly from Mexico, exchanging heroin and cocaine with locals. At this remote location, Maria could make a go of it. The only problem with this plan was that she would have to get her boss’ approval. Another problem was that there might not be enough work for her there. The tasks were not as bad during that time of year, but it paid better because you had to leave your family for an extended time. So this time of year, with no harvesting, the spots were considered premium. Therefore, she would have competition to get one. However, if she could pull it off, she could save enough money and on the trip back, catch a ride out of town. She couldn’t fly or take a train or bus because Briggs had tabs on all the transportation avenues. He kept a well trained eye on all his employees. You needed permission to leave this game. You were sworn in for life in most cases. Most times when you left this business, you did it in a body bag. So, she would have to make her escape to her dream. It sounded like a solid enough plan. She would go over the details as she did all last night. Maria was going to do whatever it took to make a life for this baby, a life she and Mario never had. She entered the crack spot looking for the boss. This time she was there sans the infamous black skirt. Seeing as how she couldn’t sleep last night, Maria managed to get her things ironed crisp and tight. She looked as if she had just been issued new garb. She entered the Vicki after the routine security check. After the second checkpoint, she entered the courtyard. She saw the base heads getting ready to smoke the toxic fumes of their drugs. She overlooked them seeing Cynthia at the top of the stairs looking serious. “yo maria! We got business baby.” Cynt said. Maria jaunted up the flight of stairs and followed intently, curious. “What’s up, Cynt?” She asked.
“I don’t know. But Arturo is here. Some shit ‘bout to go down.” Cynthia replied. Maria wondered what the man himself was doing here. Her heart began to pound in her chest. Why did he want to see her? Did he want know about the baby already? Maria suddenly felt the urge to vomit. It was a good thing she had been regularly taking the meds prescribed by Dr. Patel. They made their way to the fifth floor. They arrived to a door to what used to be a meeting room at the Vicki. Cynt shot a worried look at Maria before knocking. Maria swallowed hard. She had never seen Cynthia nervous, ever. Cynthia knocked with the force of a man. The packaging room boss opened the door. “C’mon in. Y’all just in time.” He said. Maria eyed his features. He seemed to have the same look on his face as Cynt. The reason soon filled Maria’s irises. She spotted three men besides the packaging boss in the room. One man was dark skinned with short dreadlocks. She had heard about him. He was Crow. He was a straight killer. No questions asked, the streets knew he was not to be trifled with. The second man she spotted was known as Harp. He was the street commander. He performed a third security check patting Maria down, while Crow would perform the same with Cynthia. One could never be too careful in this line of work. Harp was second in charge to Arturo himself, number two on this chain of command. The guy leaning back against the window was the man himself: Arturo Briggs. Maria didn’t think much of the man’s overall appearance. He had on a big oversized jacket that he was removing as she entered the room. Underneath, he had a leather harness that housed a gun. That was over what appeared to be an older blue and black fabric sweater. The sweater had seen better days. This was the legendary Arturo? She studied him carefully. She surmised that he was dressed that way so as to not attract attention. Arturo was about 6’4”. He was a little over 200 pounds, solidly so. He had his hair cut low with a neatly trimmed beard. He had a look of calm on his face, very much unlike everyone else in the room. There was an air of tension that was almost tangible. The packaging room boss broke the silence by introducing the two women. “Mr. Briggs, this is-“Arturo cut him off “Please, call me Arturo. ‘Mr. Briggs’ is for the associates outside of our family.” He said with a soft, yet firm tone. Maria felt an overwhelming presence like that of a Godfather. “Thank you, sir.” The packaging boss replied. “Here are the two you requested.” He said.
“Thank you Andre.” Arturo said. It was the first time that Maria had ever heard the packaging boss’ name. Arturo gently guided him to a chair at the long table. The table was newly added for this meeting. “Please.” Arturo said extending his arm which was an invitation for everyone to sit down. He was more congenial than what you would expect. He sat down last at the head of the table pulling his chair up. “We are waiting for one more to join us.” He said. Just then there was knock on the door. “Andre and Crow?” Arturo said. They understood instinctively the order for them to answer the door. They opened it to a man of slim stature. “Reagan!” Arturo called out. “Glad you could join us. We were just starting. Come. Have a seat.” The two had finished the mandatory pat down opening his briefcase away from the table. One never knew what a closed case might contain. They carefully returned the papers to their origin, handing the case back to the accountant. He was a sharp dressed pencil of a man. He was black and bespectacled. He looked to be straight from “nerds-are-us”. Arturo plucked the young man straight from college. Reagan was in charge of making the composite final count of the numbers. He was also integral to the planning and financial strategy of the business. Arturo was fond of him because he was strictly about business. He was analytical and did not mind offering a dissident opinion if it was in the best interest of the operation. Reagan was not a regular member of the family. He was more like its advisor. Arturo hoped to possibly bring him on someday soon. Reagan would help to smooth Arturo’s eventual retirement. In the meantime, at this improvised meeting, he would tell them of the financial state of this particular crack house. “Okay everyone. As you may or may not know, we lost a member of the family. The head of this base, Kenneth is no longer with us. The reason being is that as an organization, we frown upon fraternization. “Arturo stated. It complicates what we are doing. It complicates what we are trying to accomplish as a family, as a business.” He continued. Maria was pale. Her mind was putting “Kenneth” with the face of her boss. He had been missing for more than a few days, now. She wondered if he had been “fired” or if he was allowed to walk. He would have to get permission to be released. But he had been on the team for awhile. She was surprised at the concern she was showing for the father of her baby. If he had permission, then she actually hoped he was okay. Despite the abuse, essentially daily rape, she cared. She did not know where the hell that was coming from. Maybe the baby was making her soft already.
Arturo continued “As a result, we are making some organizational changes. Effective as of right now, the new head of the Vicki will be Cynthia.” At first, the room sat in stunned silence. No one could believe it. It’s not that she wasn’t capable, she was full well. It was just that Andre was considered second in command. It seemed to be more of a statement that women were just important in the family as men. “Come on! Give it up!” Arturo barked the first to stand and applaud. Everyone stood and followed suit. “Okay. We have decided to create a new position of Head of Security at each house. The Head of Security will be the eyes and ears and is the most important person at each house. He or she will report directly to the Head of House and then to Harp.” Arturo said. The Head of Security is you Andre.” He said pointing. It was still a number two, but he was still a member of the family. That could’ve been considered a surprise as Andre never reported Kenneth’s indiscretions as the de facto number two. It was a second chance of sorts and Andre appreciated it. Everyone applauded. “Okay. Let’s keep at it folks. There will be two more quick meetings with the new appointees and Reagan; I need to see you and Cynt. Everyone come back in ten minutes. I need a minute.” He said. Everyone proceeded to leave except for Harp. “Maria, can you stay for a moment?” Arturo asked. “Yes” she said weakly. She was more nervous than ever. The door was closed by Crow looking back before he departed. The door closed and Arturo sat back down. “So…Miss Maria. I understand that you were the victim of Kenneth?” he said
“I-I was...” before Maria could finish her sentence he countered
“You were not consenting, were you?” He led her nodding slowly.
“R-right, sir” Maria said. She did not consent. But she knew how bad she needed the job. As a result, she knew what she needed to do to keep the job. Therefore she was able fend off her parasitic brother.
Arturo was not interested in the story. He just wanted to make his point that those were in charge were responsible for those that were in their employ. They were not to be exploited or abused. Thus, Kenneth was no longer there.
“So Maria, now that we have an understanding with that. Tell me how do feel about Kenneth’s departure?” he asked
“Well. We never really had a relationship. He got on top and did what he did. So, I wasn’t in love with him or anything. And it’s not like he gave me anything. I mean, if you don’t count this baby. But ….” She hesitated
“Yes?” Arturo said
“You didn’t kill him did you?” she said, with obvious concern in her tone.
“I did not. And this is why you must never be with him. He may want revenge against us for losing his gig. But since you don’t love him or had no relationship, we don’t have to worry about that do we?” Arturo said.
“N-no sir” she managed to get out.
“Good. Do you plan on keeping the baby?” he asked
This was the million dollar question and Arturo kept his posture and same expression. This made it difficult to read him. But Maria knew she needed to honest. Despite his demure demeanor, Arturo could be ruthless. And he really did not need to be. He had the soldiers to carry out harsh justice.
“Yes sir” Maria answered.
“Good. You should keep your baby. But the baby can never know its father. If I see Kenneth anywhere near here looking for you. Or if I see you with him or having to do anything with him on ANY level, all parties involved will be dealt with. Am I understood?” Arturo said this all very matter-of-factly. Again, he did not change his posture or demeanor. But he was deadly serious. She also knew that he meant the baby as well.
“Yes sir. I understand.” She said with wide fearful eyes.
“Good.” He smiled while Harp seemed to be trying to find something out of the window.
“ok.” He sighed. “With that out of the way, let’s get down to other business.” He said.
“Other business?” Maria asked, curious.
“yes! I understand you have been here for two years now. It’s time to reward your loyalty.” Arturo said
Maria looked on stunned. The events were both startling and surprising.
Arturo laughed. “don’t be so surprised! We get the reports on you guys. It’s time to step you up. I want you to take Andre’s spot in the packaging room. With that will come a raise. You will report directly to Cynt and coordinate with Andre. They both will help to ease you into the position.” He said.
Maria was stunned. She did not know what to expect. She even let her mind wander to being taken to an empty room and being dealt with: permanently. She let her shoulders ease slightly with the thought of actually being able to take care of her baby.
Arturo interrupted her attempt at further daydreaming.
“So what do you think?” he said with a smile.
“I think it’s great, sir!! Thank you so much!” she said smiling
She jumped up giving him a hug.
“Ok ok!” he laughed. “Don’t get too happy. You have a lot to learn and it is a lot of hard work. But if you continue and grind with us, you go even farther.” He said.
“Thank you, sir.” She said
“You did it yourself. Now don’t stray too far. We’ve got a couple of meetings before I get out of here. After that, I’ll be back late this week or the first of next week to help y’all get acclimated.” He said.
“Ok sir.” She said.
Harp came to her chair with a silent smile and led her to the double doors. She walked to the packaging room to see Andre.
