The weathered two-story building has seen better days. Detached red bricks congregate in the corners, whispering about old secrets stored in their archives. Where the sun and shadow meets, I collect remnants of struggle and decay on the bottom of my shoes.
The permanent scent of testosterone and backwoods greeted me at the door.
“Hello Ray.”, I announced.
“Rita.” Ray refused to push excitement through the syllables and make my name dance like the smoke escaping his lips.
“You came early. I thought you were comin’ in a few days.”
“Change of plans.”, I responded. “I always fly, but next time I think I’ll drive. I want to stop in Chicago.”
Ray tilted his head. “What’s in Chicago?”
“Opportunities.”, I said with a smile.
Ray closed his eyes and blew a low insecure exhale, reminiscing about his last visit with Jerome. In the softness of his breath he could hear his chest crackle inside. They’ve been an inseparable pair since they were teens selling weed from their backpacks. It’s been five years since he died. He lost a best friend. I lost a husband.
“Before we start talking business, you mind if I have a drink? It’s been a long day.” I massage the plush leather chairs and take a seat.
He glanced at the two men standing on opposite sides of his office, checking for raised reactions. Without exposing disgust from his face, Ray went to the wet bar and poured two glasses of whiskey. He sat across from me and dismissed his young associates for privacy.
“The police are talking about that missing 19 year old from the northside. You heard about it?”, I asked.
“Oh that junkie bitch? Only what I’ve seen on the news.”, he says. “But she’s dead. Don’t need to see the body to know that. Why you askin’? You gotta soft spot… a soul in there somewhere?”
I scoffed. “I have my moments but don’t make it seem like I’m heartless. I care about people more than you know.”
“Rita, your heart is nothin’ more than a burnin’ piece of coal that hasn’t turned to ash yet. You weren’t born with a soul, you collect them.”, he says. Ray took a swig of his drink and waited for his insults to burn into my core. His comments sizzled and I choked every unholy word I would’ve cursed at him.
“Besides, her family didn’t give a damn about her no way. She was a regular and one of her cousins works for me.”, he explained. “She sampled our new dope sometimes but what she did with her life ain’t my problem.”
Ray went to refresh his drink while I stared at the silver clouds summoning the summer rain. I couldn’t move on from his statement because it opened a door of questions about problems I should and shouldn’t consider to be mine.
“Do you ever feel any remorse for what you do?”, I asked sincerely.
“Do you ever feel any remorse for what you do? If you’re feelin’ guilty about that junkie’s death, then pay your respects at the funeral and make sure to leave flowers.”, he coldly suggested.
I’m remorseful about a lot of things but a dead junkie isn’t one of them.
“I ran into your niece today.”, I happily mentioned.
“Victoria. What did she say?”
“Nothing more than a smile.”
Seeing Victoria at the airport in Detroit was unexpected but I knew we would cross paths again soon. “You were right. She did exactly what you said she’d do. But I saw her talking to a detective after we landed. I don’t know what they were discussing but hopefully it was nothing.”, I said.
Ray took a pull from his blunt, unbothered by what I observed. “Victoria ain’t no snitch. If she knows somethin, you can trust she ain’t sayin shit to the police.”, he reassured.
I like Victoria. She’s quiet. Unknown. Moldable.
“I think I’ll keep her. Besides, she took my money so she needs to pay me back. What do you want in exchange for your niece?”, I asked.
Ray threw his head back and hummed loudly. “I think it’s fair that I’m part owner of these businesses since Jerome recruited me first. More benefits and control of the contracts too.”, he demanded.
If I wore my good pearls, I’d be clutching them right now.
“Benefits and control.”, I said. Ray would be running this entire empire if I wasn’t involved.
“Have you ever wondered why Jerome made you a recruit and never a partner? Unlike Vincent, Victoria isn’t that valuable to me and giving up your niece for part ownership isn’t realistic. Can you take care of everyone like I can? Make the police and politicians work for you the way I do?”, I asked.
Ray pondered on his requests.
We always maintained our places with Jerome and endured the hardships with him. I stood on the side, existing as the obedient wife who watched her husband rise and fall to become a cocaine king.
“Your problem is you lack the ability to lead effectively in this league.”
“Please. You don’t know me like that.” Ray dismissed my scrutiny.
“Maybe not but tell me, where were you after the casino got raided? Where were you when your best friend died?”
“Bitch fuck you! You ain’t shit!”, he snapped. “If it wasn’t for him my ass would be dead or in prison right now. We looked out for each other.”
Ray was the laid back type and wasn’t afraid to lean forward when he needed to. “I’ve been holdin’ it down since day mothafuckin’ one! I know I deserve more.”
“If I were you I’d be grateful for what I have because prison can still be arranged. Or a grave. Don’t forget who keeps you alive and comfortable. I do.”, I reminded him.
He clinched his jaw and cut his attention towards the surveillance screens that cover the entrances and streets. I remembered the tool he keeps in the top left desk drawer. If today got messy, the only witnesses are his two associates and neither of them would say a word.
“How much are you willing to sacrifice? If you want to be more than just a high paid slave, then prove it.”
Share your thoughts.
How are you feeling about Rita and Ray?
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Stay tuned for part FIVE…
Check out the first three parts to the series.
·
March 9, 2025
“Flight 3756 to St. Louis will be boarding in 30 minutes.” the airline attendant announces.
Strangers in Costumes: The Loadmaster
·
November 5, 2025
I broil underneath the sun as the heat index climbed over 100 degrees on the flight line. Shade from the plane barely cools me off as sweat trails under my chin before landing on my camouflage top. I watch Oz round the crates one at a time, recording each one before we depart. He’s the only person I talk to when he needs wea…
Strangers in Costumes: The Detective
·
December 7, 2025
For an hour and a half, I drifted in and out of my stressful daydreams. The seatbelt symbol illuminates a soft glow and in unison, passengers rise to gather their belongings. I shake off peeled skin and chipped nails, stress that collected in my lap. As the passengers exit the plane, I catch glances from the woman who sat behind me. Her almo…
Thanks for reading my shit. I love you.
alex b.
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