I'm walking out of the restaurant, looking around me at everybody's reaction to what just happened. I see that the patrons are just going on as usual, as if nobody's face was just beaten up.
The driver of Uncle Paul gets up and walks out with me. I follow Henry to the car parked in front of the restaurant. That's Uncle Paul's parking spot. No one parks there but Uncle Paul. Henry opens up the trunk, takes out a brown paper bag. He hands it to me and says;
"Here you go, kid"
He closes the trunk and heads back into the restaurant. I start to walk to Uncle Jimmy's. I know that the street to Uncle Jimmy is "owned" by some kids. They want you to pay them for using their street and Uncle Jimmy's shop is in the middle of the block. They like to think that they are a gang, but actually, they are a bunch of low-life losers that think they rule the streets.
I have to deliver the package which means I am going to have to go through them to get to Uncle Jimmy's and that is the only way.
As I walk, I look around me to see if I can see any of them but the street seems to be clear. Then I walk on and I peek down the alleys before crossing them. But then in one of the alleys, I see a few of them standing there and talking to one another. I decide to run quickly past the alley in the hope that they don't see me.
When I get to the next alley, a small group of the gang noticed me and walks closer. I want to try and avoid them by walking backward. But then I walk into something. As I turn and look what it is, it's one of the gang members. I'm now surrounded by them. He pushes me forward and the leader starts talking to me;
"Well, well...who do we have here? Are you lost?"
He gives me a push and then continues.
"So, who are you and what are you doing on my street?"
While he speaks, he starts walking in a circle around me;
"You know how it works? You pay us to walk here. And I don't see any money in my hands, so pay me bitch"
I just look at him and say;
"I have to deliver something to Uncle Jimmy."
"Okay, but I still need to get paid. What's in the bag?"
I try to hide the bag behind my back and say;
"I'm telling you, this bag needs to be delivered to Uncle Jimmy. If you want a payment...you piece of shit, go and ask Uncle Paul over at 6th Avenue for your payment."
The moment I said Uncle Paul's name, the gang got a scare and starts backing off. They seem uncertain of how to handle this situation. I walk up to the leader and then coming to a stop in front of him;
"So...tough guy, here's the problem you're faced with...I could be lying to you because I just don't want to pay or I am telling you the truth. But that's not the question that needs an answer. The real question that you need to ask yourself is, what if in not bluffing? Do you really want to take that chance?"
I start to walk and then say.
"Now get the fuck out of my face"
Everyone is backing off but the leader stands his ground and takes out a knife, saying;
"Oh, you're good...you almost had me. I've never seen you in these parts before. How do I know what you are saying is the truth or if you are lying?"
He tries to grab the paper bag and as he grabs it, I pull away to stop him from getting it. Then he says;
"So, what's in the bag?"
Suddenly it tears open as we fight who gets the bag and the contents fall out from the paper bag. Everyone around me gasps for air and starts running away. I look down and see that it's an ear in a plastic bag. I try not to look too shocked by the contents but fuck..it's someone's ear that I am delivering to Uncle Jimmy's...I swallow any fear that might be shown on my face and I pick it up.
I put it into the torn bag and continue walking to Uncle Jimmy. I walk into his shop. I stop and look at all the people around to see if I can't find him. As I take a few more steps into the shop and a guy stands up, asking;
"Who are you and what do you want?"
"I'm here to deliver something to Uncle Jimmy?"
He takes out his gun and says;
"Oh, is that so...What do you need to deliver to him?"
"Look man, it's from Uncle Paul and I have to give this to Uncle Jimmy. Only to him, okay."
He looks to the back to get approval for me to go in. Then he puts his gun away and he points in the direction I need to go. I nod and started walking in that direction. The light falls just enough for me to see a well-dressed man sitting with a cigar in his mouth. As I get closer, he looks at me and says;
"So, what are you doing here?"
"I have a special delivery from Uncle Paul, sir"
I put the bag on the table in front of him and back off. He takes it and starts to open it while saying;
"What happened to the bag?"
The gang of kids down the street tried to take it and it tore open.
"Did you see what's in the bag?"
"Yes sir, the ear fell out. So, I picked it up and put it back into the bag. Then I came here."
"You shouldn't have seen this...now I have to kill you"
He stands up and I feel fear filling my entire being. I do not want to see my own death so I turn and close my eyes, knowing this is my end. I stand there for what feels like hours before I suddenly hear laughter. I open my eyes and look at Uncle Jimmy. He puts his hands on my shoulder and says;
"You did good, kid. Tell Uncle Paul I say thank you for taking care of my problem"
He hands me a hundred dollar bill and says;
"If those kids ever give you problems again, you let me know. I'll take care of them. Now, get out of here and spend it wisely"
I start making my way to Uncle Paul's. As I get down the street, a car pulls up next to me. The window starts to roll down. I see that it's the Gigantello brothers. Tony asks;
"So, did you deliver the message as Uncle Paul asked you to do?"
"Yes sir, it's done"
"Any problems?"
"No nothing sir"
"Get in"
I get in and we start to drive off. Everybody knows Paul's car because you can't miss it. So, what do I do? I decided to let my window down during the drive back to the restaurant. Just to send my own message. What's the message? If you cross me, you're fucking with Uncle Paul. I sit back and enjoy the ride to Uncle Paul's.
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