The Commuter

By Chanuga Rollins

 

Chad hated traffic, especially Monday morning traffic, sometimes, he wished he’d never left the city. It wasn’t that long ago that his one-hour-plus ride would have taken twenty-three minutes and that would have included a trip to Starbucks.

But on this lovely Monday morning, he was missing his riding companion, best friend, and wife Darlene. She always invented new ways to make the long commute fun and interesting.

The couple didn’t always live so far from their jobs, both were born and raised in the city of Trenton, NJ, the armpit of the world, as Chad liked to call it. 

Their decision to move out of the city came about eight months ago when the couple realized that the home values in the city were dropping dramatically. That and high taxes, out-of-control crime, and lack of a yard for their daughter made the couple look elsewhere.

On the advice of a friend, Darlene, and Chad looked further into Southern Jersey, settling on the town of Hammonton.

 With a population of just under 15,000 residents, Hammonton, NJ still had that small-town feel that the couple was looking for. But Hammonton also had several good restaurants, a great big park, and a very good school system. 

Chad and his family settled on a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home on almost two acres. In the city, the family lived in a two-story row home where you could hear the neighbor's toilet flush and no yard for their daughter to play in.

For the first couple of months, the couple commuted together to Trenton, Darlene was an attorney for the state of New Jersey and Chad was a plant manager for a pharmaceutical company in Ewing Township, just twenty minutes outside of the city. 

But one afternoon, a tornado-like storm swept through South Jersey and Hammonton was right in its path. The storm tore down power lines, damaged homes, and flooded many of the roads. Their daughter Mia, now 12 years old, was home alone when the storm hit. Thankfully, a next-door neighbor whom the couple became friends with came over and took Mia to her home, where they waited out the storm in her basement. Because of the flooding and detours, it took Darlene and Chad almost three hours to get home that day.

That storm changed things for Darlene. The couple decided that it would be better if one of them worked closer to home. Because Chad's income was significantly higher than Darlene’s, it fell on her to find something closer to home and give up her state job. 

She immediately began sending out resumes. But within a month, three different law firms were interested in hiring Darlene. The firm she chose was located right in the heart of Hammonton, a ten-minute drive from her home and just minutes from Mia’s school.

So, Chad was forced to make the long commute by himself, he still believed the move out of the city was a good decision. 

Chad was caught up in his thoughts when out of nowhere a 1959 two-tone brown Bentley with dark tinted windows cut right in front of him for no apparent reason. That driver caused Chad to slam on his brakes and almost lose control of his vehicle. 

Chad looked around, at this moment there were no other vehicles around, so he couldn’t imagine why this other driver would do such a thing. Unless that person was having a medical emergency, but he couldn’t tell because the Bentley’s windows were so dark.

After a few minutes, the shock of crashing his car in the middle of nowhere wore off and Chad was back with his thoughts. Maybe the poor bastard had a wedgy, Chad laughed.

Chad rolled around what he had today at work when he couldn’t help but notice that the two-toned Bentley was in front of him and slowing down almost coming to a complete stop. What the fuck is this guy doing, we’re out in the middle of nowhere, and for the moment we’re the only two cars on the highway.

 Then all of a sudden the Bentley took off like a bat out of hell. Ok, he thought, it must be that wedgy, they are a bitch, Chad laughed again. Then suddenly, and for the second time, the Bentley driver slammed on his brakes, causing Chad to almost rear-end the very expensive car.

Now Chad was pissed off, he didn’t need this kind of shit on a Monday, and he blew his horn repeatedly! The Bentley switched lanes and was now parallel with Chad’s car. This guy’s fucking with me he thought, but why. 

When Chad sped up, so did the Bentley driver, when Chad slowed down again so did the other driver, but he or she always stayed parallel to Chad’s car. Then once again and for no apparent reason the Bentley cut Chad off, almost hitting his car and causing him to almost go off the road. 

Chad now was furious, the Bentley however sped off. Oh, no, you fucker, Chad thought you aren’t getting away that easy, and went after the Bentley. On the three-lane highway, it was now Chat’s turn to play. He caught up to the Bentley and when both cars were once again parallel, and he was certain that the Bentley owner was looking at him Chad began giving the driver the middle finger. The driver of the Bentley sped off, how do you like that asshole, Chad hollered, you better run. 

As Chad got closer to the city, the traffic increased dramatically, at times bumper to bumper. But once out of the city the traffic got lighter, besides Chad liked taking Route 29. Route 29 ran parallel to the Delaware River with the city on one side and the river on the other the scenic views were to die for, Chad loved taking this road to work.

Chad just made it to the outskirts of the city when he looked into the rear-view mirror, behind him and coming up fast was the Bentley. Chad had to speed up just to keep the Bentley from crashing into him.

The Bentley was once again parallel with Chad's car, furious, Chad began to once again give the driver of the Bentley the middle finger! The driver of the Bentley kept swerving towards Chad's car each time missing it by inches. Then for some unknown reason, the two-toned Bentley turned off of Route 29 as Chad made his way to work, he didn’t see any more of the Bentley.

A few minutes later Chad was pulling into the parking lot of Bing Pharmaceutical, putting that morning’s drama out of his head. There were meetings to attend, people to see, and a hell of a lot of calls to make.  

Two hours into his day, there was a knock on his door, followed by the face of Biff Newhouse. Biff was a salesman for Bing, meeting in ten big guy, conference room 3. Biff has had his eyes on Chad's job for over a year now, he was hoping that Chad would fuck up.

But fat chance of that, Biff will never get Chad's job, unlike Biff, Chad is well-liked and respected. Where Biff is often laughed at behind his back, and of course, everyone knows that he’s an ass-kissing rat. Chad just waved Biff off by saying that he had to make a phone call, and Biff disappeared.

Darlene and Mia were both home in bed sick, so Chad just wanted to check on them real fast. Chad neglected to tell his wife about this morning’s highway melodrama because she would worry. When he was done making his call home, Chad grabbed whatever files he needed and headed for conference room 3.

The Monday morning meetings were always special, the long conference table was filled with all kinds of pastries, all different kinds of croissants, bagels, cream cheeses, and a vast selection of donuts and of course all kinds of coffee. 

This is where all the movers and shakers of Bing Pharmaceutical mingle, eat, and come up with new ideas to keep Bing successful. As Chad selected a bagel, he looked around the big conference room and couldn’t believe just how far he’d come up in the company.

Chad started at Bing Pharmaceutical as a material handler when he was seventeen years old. Slowly, he moved up the line to supervisor, then to foreman, and from there to the sales department. Ten years later he became plant manager, not bad for a community college grad. 

Actually, it was the owner, Owen Bing, fifteen years Chad's senior. Owen Bing saw something in Chad the day he hired him, at least that’s what Owen told Chad the day that he promoted him to plant manager. 

Chad has always looked up to Owen Bing, so it came as a surprise to Chad, that Owen was once homeless. While living on the street, a guy asked him if wanted to make some money… That guy worked for another guy who owned a very small factory that made plastic bottles for pills. 

Owen just like Chad learned everything he could about the company, a few years later the owner died suddenly. Owen Bing had no intentions of being homeless again, so he borrowed some money from a friend and the rest is, as they say, history.       

Chad was finishing up his bagel when something outside caught his eye, in the parking lot and just a few feet away from his car, was the two-toned brown Bentley. Standing next to the Bentley was a very well-dressed elderly man, wearing dark sunglasses, he was staring up at Chad.

Throwing the remainder of his bagel in the trash, Chad bolted out of the conference room and down the three flights of steps to the lobby. Coming out near the security desk he asked one of the security officers to accompany him to the parking lot. 

Both men ran to the lot with Chad giving him a brief explanation of what was going on. Unfortunately for Chad, the Bentley and the elderly man were gone by the time they got to the lot. Seconds later three other security officers joined them near Chad’s car.  

Chad and the three security officers walked back to the building, and they all reassured Chad that he had nothing to worry about. But I don’t understand how he knew where to find me. 

He probably followed you here, one of the security officers said. Another officer said, this old fart is just trying to scare you, if he comes back, we’ll take care of him. In the lobby, Chad thanked the security officers for their assistance and then went back to the conference room.    

When Chad walked into the conference room Owen Bing looked right at him and said “Christ Chad,” that must have been one hell of a crap! Everyone in the conference room laughed even Chad, but his insides were turning.

The rest of Chad’s Day passed without any more incidents. Because he no longer commuted with his wife, Chad’s workday has become a little longer, not that he minded it, it gave him a chance to get more work done at the office instead of him having to bring work home on the weekends. besides, by staying later, the traffic was lighter so in reality, his drive home took less time.

Glancing up at the clock, it was 7pm, Chad called it a day, shutting down his computer and turning the lights off in his office, he grabbed his briefcase and headed for the elevator.

In the lobby, he thought about asking one of the night security officers to accompany him but then thought better of it, he didn’t want to come off as a pussy. 

Making his way through the lobby, he walked outside, and to his relief, there were only two other cars out in the parking lot beside his, and none of them were a Bentley. 

Chad made his way to his car, once inside his vehicle, he felt much safer, Christ, I am a pussy he thought. He started his car and headed out of the parking lot.

A few minutes later, Chad was back on Route 29 heading home. Because of the hour, there were very few cars on the road. Chad took advantage of this by going ten miles over the legal speed limit.

He got a couple miles down the road when suddenly, his car began to shimmer and shake. What the hell is wrong with my car he thought, he knew he had to pull over, but he was hoping to get closer to Trenton and maybe find a station that was still open. 

But unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen, the shimmering and shaking were increasingly getting worse. Chad had to pull over, at this point the car was starting to sway all over the road. If Chad could make it, there was an old, abandoned strip mall not far down the road. 

When he pulled into the strip mall Chad thanked God that he made it safely. He got out of his car to see what the problem was, unfortunately, the old strip mall had no working outside

lights, nor did Chad have a flashlight. Squatting down near the driver’s rear tire, Chad immediately found the problem, someone removed the lug nuts on both of his rear tires.

He was furious, who the fuck would do such a thing… Chad was deep in thought, so he didn’t realize that another car pulled right behind him. With his back to both cars, Chad, using his cell phone tried to get help, it was then that Chad heard a car door open, and a woman asked if she could be of assistance. 

The woman was very well-dressed and elderly, strangely, she was wearing dark sunglasses even though it was dark out. But Chad thought fuck it, if she could help him he didn’t give a damn what she was wearing.

Even with the offer of help, Chad still tried his cell phone again, but he still didn’t have any service. A moment later the driver's side door opened, Chad couldn’t see at first, the high beams blinded him. But when his eyes adjusted Chad was horrified, it was the old man, the driver of the two-toned Bentley.

You crazy old bastard, you did this to my car, what do you want from me? Chad screamed! Although the old man stared at Chad with a slight smile, it was the old woman who had the gun. Without hesitation and not a word spoken, she fired two bullets into Chad’s chest. The old man got back into the Bentley, as Chad was sprawled out on the strip mall’s asphalt.

As Chad took his final last breaths of life he watched the elderly woman open the passenger door of the Bentley, before getting in, she made certain that Chad was looking at her as she gave him the middle finger!

The End

Copyright 2020

 Payback Italiano Style

 By Chanuga Rollings

 

 It was a dreary fall evening when two childhood friends took up their positions in a dimly lit alley across from a tavern called the “Cove.”

Mookie Johnson and Jesse Phillips needed to make some money for the upcoming weekend. Neither of them worked, nor were they interested in working, they preferred the ghetto lifestyle of drugs and crime. Which is why they were hanging out in this alley, they planned on robbing someone. Like most of the city’s lowlife criminal element, Mookie and Jesse knew when the state government (the city’s biggest employer) paid their employees.

The “Cove” was very popular with the state employees, the food and drink were reasonably cheap, and the Cove cashed the state employee's paychecks for a small fee. Twice a month, from lunch to early evening, state workers flocked to the Cove for a bite to eat, and cash their checks before heading to suburbia.

Across from the bar was an alley that adjoined a state-owned employee parking lot. The parking lot was protected by an eight-foot chain link fence but had a huge hole in it, state employees used the alley as a sort of shortcut instead of walking to the actual entrance half a block away.

The entrance to the parking lot was protected by security guards, the problem was state employees were lazy really lazy. Many risked their lives by using the shortcut in the alley, they opened their self’s up to animals like Mookie and Jesse. Many of these state workers were white, well-educated, and lived in the suburbs, many lacked street smarts or common sense for that matter.

Mookie and Jesse’s plan was simple, (neither one was a criminal mastermind) they would hide behind the dumpster that was in the alley. Just as their mark was about to go through the hole in the fence they’d pounce on him or her, most of their victims were white, and both of these idiots hated white people.

One night while acting alone Mookie fucked with the wrong white guy. As Mookie pulled his knife to rob him, the white guy laughed and pulled a gun, the white guy then robbed Mookie of what little money he had, then severely beat him. Mookie woke up in the hospital a day later, he never did another robbery on his own again.

Keeping an eye on the Cove, Mookie smiled as a white man approached the alley. The two morons were salivating as the white guy got closer. Fortunately, for the white guy, a police street crime unit pulled into the alley right behind him. Mookie and Jesse watched as their victim walked right past them and climbed through the hole in the fence.

The officer got out of his SUV with his hand on his gun, What are you two assholes doing in this alley? Nothing, Jesse replied. Well go do nothing somewhere else, get moving, the officer ordered, and stay the fuck out of this alley. The police officer didn’t bother to pat the two boys down because technically they weren’t doing anything wrong, although he knew that they were up to no good.

The boys walked out of the alley mad, that white motherfucking cop ain’t shit without that gun Mookie muttered to his friend.

Fifteen minutes later the pair were on a city bus heading across town, where are we going, Mook? Jesse asked. To a park where lots of white people be. The park was in the city’s Chambersburg section, a neighborhood made up of predominantly Italians. Mookie’s robbed there in the past.

Peter Maranzano or just “Pete” to his few remaining friends, liked staying active, but he also liked keeping to himself. Not much is known about Pete, even his close friends know very little about his past or personal life.

Peter Maranzano was born in Sicily (date uncertain) he was brought to America sometime around 1922 or thereabouts. Peter grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he went to public school. Peter Maranzano’s history ends there, at some point, and for unknown reasons, he moved to Trenton, NJ.

At ninety-plus years old, Pete’s pleasures in life were simple ones. He woke early every morning around 5am, made his breakfast had some coffee, and then watched the morning news, he loved being informed.

After eating and cleaning up (he refused to have a housekeeper) depending on the weather, he tended to his beloved garden. He loved the look on his neighbor’s faces when he gave them peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and of course his prize tomatoes.

About noon he fixed himself a light lunch and had a glass or two of his homemade red wine, then went out front of his home to sweep his porch and the sidewalk. He loved sitting on his front porch and taking in the silence of the day before the kids got home from school and his neighbors returned from work.

Between 2 and 3pm, he walked the two blocks (he gave up driving a car years ago, it was healthier to walk) to a private social club where he’s been a member for three decades.

The club was called Napoli Hall, there Pete depending on who was around would play pinochle, shoot pool, play bocce, or just hang out and watch soccer on the club’s big screen T.V. until dinner time.

Mookie and Jesse got off the bus about a half block from the park. Why are we here? Jesse asked. Look around motherfucker, do you see any junkies sleeping or shitting in the streets, do you see any garbage anywhere, this is where white people live, where the money is.

Standing at the entrance of the park, Mookie looked up at the park’s sign, “Welcome to Columbus Park” It might as well say “No niggers” allowed in here. What Mookie just said made no sense to anyone but Jesse Phillips, who was smiling and nodding his head like a retard.

After spending the afternoon at the club, Pete would walk down the block to Fran’s Café for dinner. Pete’s been having dinner every night at Fran’s for the past eight years, ever since his beloved wife passed away, tonight’s early bird special was meatloaf with mashed potatoes and peas, his favorite.

Mookie and Jesse picked a bench where they had a better chance of a fast escape. But on this cool autumn evening, potential victims were a little scarce. An hour had gone by, and Mookie was starting to get agitated, where be all the white motherfuckers tonight? Mookie asked more to himself. It was then that someone caught Mookie’s attention, do you still have that small video camera he asked Jesse.

Earlier that day Jesse stole one of those small cheap handheld disposable video cameras from a Walmart, Jesse was going to sell it for some pot. Yeah, I still got it, Jesse said smiling… Get it out, Mookie said, we’re going to have some fun!

After dinner, Pete always, (if the weather was good) walked over to Columbus Park just a short distance from Fran’s Cafe,  it was his last stop before turning in for the night.

Columbus Park was established sometime in the early 1900s in honor of the Italian immigrants who settled in this part of the city. Pete loved the park, especially in the fall, it’s where he met his Elizabeth seventy years ago almost to the day. Ever since losing her, Pete has been sort of lost, but coming to the park helps. The bench where he met her was long gone, but if he stood in the exact spot where the bench was and he closed his eyes he could still smell her perfume, hear her laugh, and see her wonderful smile. The couple never had children, so Elizabeth was his whole world.

Pete was almost where the bench was when he noticed two young black men walking towards him.

That camera on Mookie, asked? We rolling Jesse replied. As soon as he was parallel with the elderly white man, Mookie Johnson using the full force of his body punched the 90-something-year-old man right in the face knocking him to the ground unconscious.

The pair then circled the old man still filming and laughing, they planned on putting this assault on social media later. Mookie was about to go through the old guy’s pockets when he heard someone running towards them. A few other people in the park also witnessed the attack and ran toward Mookie and Jesse.

The two boys took off running as they were still laughing. In hot pursuit was an off-duty female Trenton police officer, she stopped just briefly to make sure the other witnesses stayed with the elderly man and called for an ambulance.

Dawn LaBarge a nine-year veteran of the force cornered Johnson and Phillips in an alley, about a block from the park. The two idiots were trying to break through a wood stockade fence, drawing her firearm she ordered them to the ground.

Both Mookie and Jesse were cowards, they preyed on the elderly, women, and the weak. Jesse Phillips with hands out got on the ground immediately, Mookie Johnson however became belligerent. This bitch ain’t going to shoot, Mookie said as he approached the officer, I’m a brother, why would you kill a brother over some old white dude.

Dawn LaBarge was the only black female in the graduating class of 2012, and the first member of her family to be a police officer.

Officer LaBarge got into the firing position please give me a reason to shoot your loser black ass, Mookie slowly got on the ground and put his arms out.

Just then a man came out onto his deck holding a shotgun, may I be of service officer. Yes, thank you, would you cover these two animals while I handcuff this asshole, LaBarge holstered her firearm, but she only had one pair of cuffs, so she used them on Mookie because he was the more aggressive one. One more favor LaBarge asked, can you call Trenton PD and tell them that an officer needs assistance, and thank you for your help. The man used his cell phone to call the police and then stayed out on his deck until help arrived.

Within minutes four police cars pulled up, good job LaBarge, one of the officers said. Thanks, sergeant, LaBarge said, I lost my cell phone chasing these two assholes! Go retrace your steps we got these two scumbags, the sergeant said. Officer LaBarge left the scene to look for her phone and returned to the crime scene.

First Jesse was handcuffed and put into a car, Mookie was next, hey man these handcuffs are too tight Mookie complained. Tough shit asshole they’re not made to be comfortable, one of the officers said.

Mookie was kept separate from Jesse, watch your head asshole, the officer deliberately slammed Mookie’s head on the door frame of the patrol car. You did that on purpose Mookie hollered, my bad, the officer said smiling, why don’t you call Black Lives Matter jerk off!

Both men were taken to police headquarters and charged with assault, possible attempted murder, and robbery. Officer Dawn LaBarge returned to the park to take statements and to see if she could be of further assistance.

Peter Maranzano was responding to the EMTs, a good sign as they loaded him onto the gurney. Sherry Slack a waitress who worked at Fran’s Café was cutting through the park on her way home and saw the commotion. Pete, she said out loud as they put him on the gurney, oh my God what happened?

Officer LaBarge walked over to Miss Slack, do you know this gentleman? Sure, that’s Peter Maranzano, I just served him dinner, may I ask what happened? He was assaulted, maybe it was a robbery attempt, we got the guys, LaBarge said. Damn animals, Sherry said, he has no one, his wife died years ago and he’s all alone, this poor guy’s in his 90s, why did they have to hurt him.

One of the witnesses an elderly black woman came up to Officer LaBarge, may I go to the hospital with him? Sure, that shouldn’t be a problem, LaBarge helped the old woman into the ambulance and smiled. Officer LaBarge like most police officers around the country rarely gets to witness the good in people.

Moments later Pete Maranzano was rushed off to the hospital and officer Dawn LaBarge was heading to headquarters to interrogate Mookie Johnson and Jesse Phillips.

At police headquarters Mookie and Jesse were put into different interrogation rooms. I want to question Jesse Phillips first, he’s the weaker of the two LaBarge told one of the other officers.

Alone with Officer Dawn LaBarge, Jesse admitted almost immediately that all he did was the filming, he blamed Mookie for the actual attack. Ok, hang tight, one of the detectives will be in to go over everything with you.

Dawn LaBarge went in to talk to Mookie, who was three doors down, it didn’t take long for Mookie to start hurling insults at her and acting up, most of what he said made very little sense. So much so that she thought that Mookie Johnson may be retarded, she wished that she could just shoot him and save the state a lot of money. As expected Johnson refused to cooperate, so Dawn got up to leave, a detective would be in shortly, and Mookie just glared at her.

Neither Johnson nor Phillips showed the least bit of remorse for what they did to that old man. Because there wasn’t a judge available to set bail, Johnson and Phillips were sent to the detention center.

A reporter for the Star, one of the state’s largest newspapers still operating, just happened to be in the ER when Peter Maranzano was brought in. What do you have here the reporter asked? He’s an assault victim, and he’s in his ninety’s, two assholes jumped him in a park.

The EMT pointed out the elderly woman who rode in with him and witnessed the attack. The reporter interviewed Doris Boone and then sent the story to his office.

The headline the next day was, Man in his ninety’s survives “Brutal attack in the park.”

The next morning still lounging in bed trying to decide whether to get up or not, Vincenzo “Vinny” Migliaccio received a call from one of his guys in the capital city. Did you hear about what happened in Trenton yesterday?

No, I’m just getting up now, what’s going on Vinny asked? The stories too long for the phone, when you go out, pick up the Star and call me later, his guy hung up.

After a shower, shave, and some breakfast, Vinny made his first stop of the day, it was to a newsstand on Eisenhower and Vine, where Vinny was collecting his weekly vig from the owner.

He had to wait a few minutes, the owner of the newsstand was helping out a customer. So, he grabbed a Star newspaper, looked at the headline, then read the story.

The owner of the newsstand waved Vinny over and handed him an envelope. Vinny took it and walked away without saying a word or paying for the newspaper. Fucking gangster, the owner of the stand muttered. Vinny didn’t hear the insult, (or he would have had to give the newsstand owner a beating) he climbed into his Cadillac Escalade and gave the owner a cold stare.

Finally, a judge set bail for Mookie Johnson at $50.000 cash bail, and Jesse Phillips his bail was set at $15.000 Both were taken back to the detention center because neither could come up with bail money.

At the detention center, the two boys were in line waiting to make their once-a-day phone call when Jesse sensed something amiss with Mookie. What’s up with you my man, Jesse asked. Mookie looked up with a tear in his eye, I don’t have anyone to call, you know that my parents abandoned my ass the last time I got locked up.

Francis and Otis Johnson were honest hard-working people that gave up on their eldest son. Mookie has been a menace to society and his own family since the age of five, something was obviously wrong with him. The family tried to help him, but the boy was just evil.

There was that time when Mookie tied a rope around his little sister's neck and tried to push her out of a second-story window, and the time when Mookie set fire to his little brother’s bed when he was sleeping in it, or the time when his grandmother awoke to find him standing over her in bed with a butcher knife.

At the age of ten Mookie was a lookout for drug dealers, a year later he himself was selling drugs and stealing cars. At age fourteen he was sent to a juvenile detention center for burning down a neighbor’s home while they slept just for fun. Seven days after being released, he mugged and beat an old woman and was sent back.

Out once again, Mookie managed to stay free for eight months before being sent to an adult prison, this time for possession of a stolen gun and narcotics. Mookie by now was eighteen years old, so while he was incarcerated his family decided that the best thing to do was cut their losses and move far away so that their eldest son could never find them, Mookie never saw or heard from his family ever again.

Jesse tried comforting his friend by telling him that he still had one family member left, me. For a moment Mookie smiled, now how in the fuck are we going to get out of this motherfucker? Mookie asked. What Mookie neglected to tell Jesse was that he didn’t really mind being locked up, three hots and a cot he always said.

When it was their turn to use the phone, Jesse only had one person to call and that was his mother.

After picking up his money from the newsstand Vinny drove over to Jersey City’s East Side to the “Sailors and Seamen’s Social Club,” on the door was a smaller sign that said “members only.”

Parking his SUV across the street from the club, Vinny acknowledged the guys hanging out front with a nod. Is the big guy in there? Vinny asked. Yeah, he’s in there, after shaking some hands Vinny entered the club.

The social club was just one big room with some tables, chairs, a large-screen TV, and a bar, a smaller room in the back was used as an office/conference room.

When Vinny entered the club he noticed that the fellow he came to see was busy at the moment, so he tried making small with his no-neck, 6’7, refrigerator-sized bodyguard. But it was like trying to have a conversation with a brick, thankfully Vinny didn’t have to wait too long before being waved over to the big guy’s table. Nice talk Bigfoot, Vinny said as he walked away from the bodyguard.

The guy that Vinny came to see was Augustine “Augie” Porfirio, he was the underboss of the New Jersey-based DeSimone crime family.

Augie waved Vinny over to his table where they hugged and kissed, sit down son, what’s on your mind? Vinny liked the fact that his boss always got right to the point, in Vinny’s mind time was money.

Vinny put the Star newspaper down on the table, before coming to the club he highlighted the Peter Maranzano story. Vinny sat patiently as his boss read the story, fucking animals, So, you know what has to be done here, Augie said to Vinny. Yes, sir I just wanted to get the go-ahead from you.

As Vinny got up from the table, Augie took hold of his arm, Vinny, make sure these black bastards regret being born. Vinny smiled.

Patrice Phillips was an honest, churchgoing, very hard-working, proud black woman, that held down two full-time jobs to keep a roof over her head and food on the table. She never could figure out what the hell went wrong with her only child. She thought that maybe growing up without a father affected Jesse.

A week away from his wife giving birth, Jesse Phillips Sr. went into a liquor store to buy cigarettes and lottery tickets. Unfortunately, instead, he walked right into an armed robbery and was shot in the head, he died at the scene.

Patrice never remarried and did her best to raise her only child to be a productive member of society. But she also had to make a living, so she had no choice but to leave the boy with friends and family.

Patrice worked a 9-5 for the state of New Jersey, then went on to her second job from 6pm to 11pm, cleaning offices for Everson Cleaning Services. Life was not easy for Mrs. Phillips.

One day her cousin Vonda was looking after Jesse, now eight years old, when she ran out of something and had to make a run to the store. So, she left little Jesse with her neighbor Francis Johnson. Mookie and Jesse became instant friends and have been getting into trouble together ever since.

Throughout his life whenever Jesse got into a jam he immediately called his mother. So, it was no surprise to Patrice Phillips when she received a call from corrections asking her if she’d accept a call from her son. Yes, I’ll accept the call, Patrice Phillips went ballistic on her only child, is he with you, his mother asked? Is who with me? Jesse asked. Mookie, you damn idiot, Patrice said furiously!

Patrice Phillips hated Mookie with a passion and often referred to him as that psychopath. Patrice did however love her son, so she made all the necessary arrangements with a bondsman to get both Jesse and Mookie out of jail by putting up her house as collateral.

It took a couple of more days for the boys to be freed, unlike Mookie, Jesse hated being locked up. He hated the food, the smells, and the dirty toilets, but most of all Jesse hated showering with other men, Jesse Phillips was a homophobe.

On the last morning of their incarceration, Mookie couldn’t help but brag to the other inmates about getting out. See, that’s what happens when you have people on the outside Mookie said. The other inmates just smirked, most people couldn’t stand Mookie Johnson, most thought that he was an asshole.

The day after he got the ok, Vinny headed to Trenton. Although originally from the capital city, he moved to Jersey City when he was bumped up to captain in the DeSimone family. Living in North Jersey put him closer to his construction interests in New York City, his Trenton guys handled his gambling and loan sharking interests in not only Trenton but Atlantic City also.

Vinny’s first stop was to see his mother, she refused to move to Jersey City. He used his key to get into his childhood home and hollered out for his mom.

When she didn’t respond Vinny immediately used his mother’s phone to call one of his guys. Hey, I’m home, can you do me a favor and round up the guys for a meeting tonight at Bob’s at around 6pm sharp, I’ll see you then.

Still holding his mother’s vintage phone, Vinny dialed another number that he hoped wasn’t disconnected. It rang, and rang, and rang, Vinny was just ready to hang up when someone answered, hello, the voice said, it’s me, don’t say my name, do you recognize my voice? Vinny asked. Yeah, hey man what’s up, the voice said.

Vinny skipped the small talk and got right to the point; I need a favor. Of course, man, anything for you the voice said. Good man, can you meet me tonight, Vinny asked. No problem brother, just text me when and where, the voice said.

As he put down the phone his mother walked in with groceries, Vinny helped with the bags and then hugged and kissed her.

Although Vinny talks to his mother several times a week, it's been a while since he’s seen her. She made Vinny some lunch, and afterward, he went up to his childhood bedroom to take a nap, mom can you wake me around five. 

A guard hollered Phillips, Johnson, let’s go you’re out of here, Mookie and Jesse were escorted down to the processing center. What the boys didn’t know was that the guard escorting them made a phone call informing someone else of their release.

While Mookie and Jesse waited for their paperwork to be finished, Mookie began mumbling about money. It was one of the few times that Jesse got mad at his friend. Man, we haven’t even gotten out of this motherfucker yet and you’re already talking about robbing people, Jesse exploded. For the first time, Jesse thought that maybe Mookie was fucking nuts like everyone kept saying he is.

Vinny’s mother woke him at exactly five o’clock, he quickly washed up and came downstairs, hugged his mom, and headed for the door. Vincenzo, what about dinner? I made a big pot of sauce, his mother said. I’ll be back soon mom, set the table for five, the boys will be coming back with me.

The same correction officer who made the phone call also escorted the boys out of the detention center. The officer held the gate open for Johnson and Phillips. Freedom Jesse hollered out loud. You two assholes better enjoy it while you can. What did you say, you old white motherfucker, Mookie screamed. The guard closed the gate smiling at Mookie, bye, bye, jerk off, the guard said.

Bob’s Café was just one of maybe thirty small neighborhood bars scattered around Chambersburg, a discreet neighborhood place where people minded their own business.

Vinny was the real owner of Bob’s, he kept an apartment over top of the café, for meetings and the occasional one-night stand.

By six o’clock his top guys were all in the apartment over the café, they hugged and kissed showing Vinny the proper respect. His crew consisted of his childhood friends, all of which grew up on the same block as Vinny, he trusted each and every one of them. Each one of these guys had men under them, but Vinny only communicated with these five.

They were:

Donald “Donny Goggles” Carbone his rap sheet included: Hijacking, extortion, gambling, labor racketeering, bank fraud, money laundering, and suspicion of murder.

Ronald “Ronnie the Weasel” Sullivan his rap sheet included: Drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, burglary, and suspicion of murder.

Victor “Vic” Sullivan his rap sheet included: Armed robbery, gun trafficking, sports betting, illegal possession of a firearm, and suspicion of murder.

Giuseppe “Joey the Hammer” Aragona his rap sheet included: Manslaughter, illegal possession of firearms, gambling, and suspicion of murder.

Raymond “Lip” Broconi his rap sheet included: Illegal possession of a firearm, arson, gambling, and suspicion of murder.

Vinny got right to the point and laid out exactly what he wanted them to do. When Vinny finished talking all the guys stood up to leave, were you all going? Vinny asked. I thought we were supposed to leave, Lip said. The apartment yeah, you guys all get your asses over to my mother’s house pronto, it’s dinner time, Vinny said.

The crew ate huge plates of pasta, sausage, and meatballs, then drank homemade wine, followed by pastries and espresso. They told stories of the past making Vinny’s mom very happy. It’s been a long time since all of these guys have been in her home at the same time.

When the guys were leaving, they all thanked, hugged, and kissed Mrs. Migliaccio bringing her to tears, she still saw them as kids playing around the house.

With the guys all gone, Vinny spent some quality time with his mother, when she went to bed Vinny slipped out of the house to meet the other guy that he called earlier.

His name was Dante Evens, he and Vinny met up near the Trenton Makes bridge underpass.

I want you to follow these two guys, it shouldn’t be hard they’re always together, Vinny gave Dante their police photos. Don’t let them know that you're following them until I say it’s ok, here’s a burner phone, use it to keep in contact with me. The job pays a grand, you in, Vinny asked.

Mookie and Jesse waited at the bus stop across the street from the detention center. How come your mom can’t come and pick us up, Mookie asked, I’m freezing my balls off. She has to go to work, she said for us to find our own way home. How come your mom hates my ass, Mookie asked. My mom doesn’t like anyone who doesn’t go to church, Jesse said.

Dante Evens, although half-white felt very comfortable moving around in the black community, he talked the talk, as they say. Dante met Vinny back in his high school days when Vinny used to pay Dante to throw basketball games. His relationship continued with Vinny right through college, but by then Dante was a full-blown druggie, heroin became his demon.

As others turned their backs on him, Vinny supported Dante financially and fed him easy work like burglaries, and other scams. So, Dante was happy to do this favor for a friend, besides he hated motherfuckers who victimized the weak. Dante had no problem fitting into Jesse’s mother's neighborhood, in fact, he had friends who lived there, so doing a little recon was easy.

When the boys finally made it to Jesse’s house his mother was still at her state job. So, Jesse and Mookie went upstairs to his room and played Xbox until she came home. When she got home from work she called upstairs, Jesse, bring your ass down here, alone, she could hear them playing video games in his room.

When Jesse came downstairs she grabbed him by his shirt collar and dragged him into the laundry room.

What the hell is wrong with you? Patrice screamed! You two pussies hit a ninety-something-year-old man, why? Because he was white! You both ain’t nothing but a couple of cowards, men in my day would of beat the shit out of you two sissies for what you did, you better hope that old man doesn’t have friends or die.

I have to go to my other job, here’s twenty bucks, you two assholes fend for yourselves for dinner. Before you go I have to ask you something, Jesse said. What, what the hell do you have to ask me? Patrice screamed. Can Mookie stay with us? Jesse asked meekly. Patrice just walked away.

Dante checked in with Vinny, no movement on the home front, but I’ll keep you posted.

Driving to work Patrice thought that Mookie staying with them might be a good thing, maybe living in her world would rub off on the two idiots.

For a few days, the boys didn’t really leave the house much, and if they did, it was just to hang out in front of Jesse’s house. The past few days Vinny’s guys have been hanging around the apartment over Bob’s, playing cards, watching TV, or hanging out in the bar downstairs, awaiting word from Dante.

By now Dante has made it a point of going by Jesse’s house and getting the boys high on their front porch. Where are you from Mookie asked Dante? Two blocks over, moved her about two years ago, Dante said, why? No reason Mookie said, this is some fine weed.

The next day Patrice Phillips took the day off from both of her jobs, something that she’d never done before. She decided to make the boys a good home-cooked meal, Southern style, with fried chicken, greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, and a homemade apple pie with ice cream. Patrice needed a few things from the store, so she called out for Jesse, I need you to run to the store for me. Jesse started to protest, we’re watching a movie right now can’t it wait? No, boy get your ass down here, Patrice hollered upstairs.

Surprisingly, it was Mookie who came to Patrice’s aid, come on man, Mookie said, that movie will wait, Jesse got the list from his mom and headed out the door.

Dante was across the street from Jesse’s house sitting in his car, he called Vinny on the burner, hey man they're on the move. Ok, just follow them for now Vinny said.

It was around noon when Mookie and Jesse headed for the Shoprite just three blocks down the road. Dante drove past the boys and parked about half a block away, he also called Vinny again. It’s a go Dante told Vinny, they’re away from their home. Taking three cars, Vinny and his boys were on the way.

Awe this motherfucker again, Mookie said when he saw Dante pop out from behind a tree, this guy’s a pain in the ass. What’s going on my brothers, handing Mookie a “Bob Marley-sized joint", spark that up Dante said smiling.

Where are you guys heading? Dante asked. Down to the Shoprite Jesse said, don’t answer him, Mookie butted in. You ask too many questions you cracker-looking motherfucker, get the fuck out of here, and you ain’t getting this big ass joint back Mookie said laughing. Dante put his hands up, ok man, I’m out of here, fuck it.

The second he walked away from Mookie and Jesse he called Vinny, they’re all yours, they’re heading for the ShopRite food store. Dante went home, his job was over.

Using a burner phone Vinny told his guys that right across the street from the food store was a small alley that leads to a few old, abandoned warehouses, it’s perfect for us. Donny Goggles was to act as a decoy, he had to make Jesse and Mookie follow him into that alley, it was Donny’s specialty, as he watched the boys go into the food store. He waited a few minutes before he followed them in.

Mookie and Jesse only needed a couple of things, when they got to the check-out line they couldn’t help but notice the only white guy in the store pay for a Snickers bar with a one hundred dollar bill, Mookie and Jesse’s eyes lit up. And this guy was a perfect mark, with big goofy glasses, and goofy clothes, plus he was short, Mookie hated short white guys they were easy marks.

Donny paid for his candy bar and slowly walked out of the store and across the street towards the alley, Mookie and Jesse followed him.

Yo, man, Mookie called out, but Donny paid no attention to him as he walked into the alley. Yo, man I know you hear me, you white motherfucker, still Donny paid him no mind. The alley was lined with old warehouses, and there was no place to run, seventy feet into the alley there was another alley that crisscrossed, that’s where it was going to happen.

Once Donny crossed the second alley he turned around to distract the two young men. What do you want nigger? Donny hollered out. We going to fuck you up… Mookie stopped in mid-sentence when someone threw an aluminum baseball bat at Donny, Mookie, and Jesse both turned around and four white guys also with aluminum baseball bats charged them.

Vinny took care of the cops, so his crew had a good fifteen minutes to do this piece of work. Mookie begged for his life as the first blow came down on his head. Vinny because of his rank, was acting as a lookout as his crew went to work on Jesse and Mookie, in two-man teams they beat the bloody shit out of the two young black men. With each swing of the aluminum bats, you could hear bones breaking.

Vinny looked at his watch, enough, times up, but not before Donny brought his bat down on Mookie’s head again. Vinny’s crew got in their cars and disappeared in different directions.

Thirty minutes later a young girl walking her dog in the alley discovered the bodies of Mookie Johnson and Jesse Phillips. A reporter who arrived on the scene right after the cops said it was one of the bloodiest crime scenes that he’d ever encountered.

A few weeks after being attacked Peter Maranzano was recovering nicely, the doctors were worried given his age, but so far Pete was coming along great. One of his doctors even kidded Pete about being able to take a punch, I hope I’m able to take a punch when I’m in my 90s.

Vinny and his guys all met back at the apartment over at Bob’s Café. There, they all took turns showering and changing their clothes, they’ll all be incinerated later along with their shoes and socks. The cars used in the attack were sold to a chop shop, then resold for scrape.

Great job gentlemen, Vinny handed each man an envelope with cash as they exited the apartment, enjoy your vacation guys see you when you get back.

Back at the crime scene, photos were taken, evidence was collected, and detectives were trying to piece together what happened in that alley. Aren’t these the guys who attacked that old man, one detective asked another. Yep, karma is a mother fucker, these assholes were professionally worked over by people who do this shit for a living, someone must have liked that old man.

Mookie Johnson died at the scene, an autopsy revealed that he died from massive internal injuries, more than half the bones in his body were broken, and his skull was crushed in.

Jesse Phillips was just barely alive, he also had most of the bones in his body broken, at the hospital Jesse Phillips slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness, he died six weeks later.

Four weeks after his business in Trenton Vinny was back at the Sailor’s and Seamen’s social club in Jersey City. When Vinny walked into the club it was his boss “Augie” who stood up and greeted him with a hug and kiss. Let’s take a walk as he led Vinny to the door.

Well done son, very well done Augie said, he held onto Vinny’s arm as they walked, and Augie’s refrigerator-sized bodyguard trailed behind them.

I’m very impressed with your crew Vinny, very professional Augie said. They’re a great bunch of guys Vinny said, let me ask you something boss, is Peter Maranzano really related to our founder. Yes, he is, Augie replied. I checked it to make sure, Peter Maranzano is a direct descendant of Salvatore Maranzano, the founding father of the Cosa Nostra here in America. That’s why it was necessary for you and your people to do what you did, it’s about our tradition, our honor, and it’s about respect something those two animals knew nothing about. Now let’s get back inside I’m freezing my balls off.

The aftermath:

Mookie Johnson’s mother claimed his remains, he was cremated a week after his death. He was 23.

Jesse Phillips never regained consciousness and passed away six weeks after the attack. Patrice Phillips spent every second that she could with her only child. Jesse Phillips was buried right next to his father, he was 22.

Twelve hours after the brutal attack on Johnson and Phillips, surveillance cameras at the Kings Fair Grounds Mall in Hamilton Township picked up a car parked in an isolated spot. When police investigated, they found the body of Dante Evens, he was shot three times in the head. He was 32.

Peter “Pete” Maranzano, in a couple of months, was back to normal and going about his daily routine, even going to Columbus Park most evenings. Doris Boone, the woman who rode with Pete to the hospital the night of the attack became best friends, they remained close right up until his death. Pete Maranzano died in his sleep, he was 99.

Two years after the attack on Johnson and Phillips, Vinny’s mother died, but Vinny never got to attend her funeral. Three days after his mother's death, Vincenzo “Vinny” Migliaccio was murdered in Brooklyn, NY. He was 46.

Giuseppe “Joey the Hammer” Aragona took over Vinny’s Trenton crew, and less than a year later he too was murdered. He was 43.

 The end

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