Jack of Hearts

9781620951675

Chapter 1

One-Eyed Jacks

Eleven o’clock Friday night and the moon, at its brightest, illuminated the evening skies, spreading light into the darkness, making it easy to spot the lone figure, in the distance, and recognize the bright red jacket with the familiar Comets written in bold black letters. An enemy has wandered into One Eyed Jacks territory- not a smart thing to do.

On Saturday morning the sun, already high towered, over the New York City buildings, and glared down through the open window, forcing Toby Cerino to turn away.  The damp sheet fastened itself to his naked, sweaty body, and after changing his position several times, he sat up, reached for his cigarettes beside the bed, and lit one.  His head still ached from the beer consumed with his buddies the evening before and he had no desire to leave the comfort of his bed.   Even the cheerful sounds of children playing in the streets brought pain to his foggy brain. However, tonight was important, and he needed to make certain all the Jacks knew about the meeting with the Comets. Toby wanted the elimination of the Comets, especially Red Flannery, who continued his pursuit of taking over the Jacks territory on Westchester Avenue, and believed Leo, a One Eyed Jack, stupid for stepping over the line with Red’s girl. Neither of them was worth the fight, but the other Jacks thought Leo worth protecting, and Toby had no choice but okay the meet.  At least the kids are cool, he thought glancing down into the street and hearing them laughing and squealing while running through the water from an opened fire hydrant.  It’s a sight cleaner, he thought, after most of the rubbish ran into the sewers.  He flipped his cigarette butt out the window, and stumbled past the narrow door into the kitchen.

His mother left him a few slices of cold toast and stale coffee in a metal pot sitting on the stove before she went to work at the diner.   The roaches had long since found the food earlier, so he poured himself a cup of java, and downed two aspirin to ease his headache.  The small railroad apartment, with its lack of windows, was unbearable and sweat dripped from his forehead burning his eyes.  As he wiped both eyes with the back of his hand, he saw the note propped up against the toaster. Working double shift- Make a sandwich-Lunch meat in the fridge.

He stepped into the shower.  The water was warm and did little to relieve the heat. A quick pat dry; a fast comb of his hair and he was finished.  He slipped on a pair of jeans and a black tee shirt, with One-Eyed Jacks printed in white on the back, and Toby in the upper left front

Although he was Italian, he didn’t resemble his mother’s dark skin tone, or his father, who abandoned them when he was four years of age.  His Mom insisted he resembled some distant relative and showed him pictures, but they were black and white and out of focus. Mom’s family lived in Queens and helped for a little while.  Mom moved them to the Bronx to be nearer her job when Toby was seven.  On his first day of school, a group of older boys, beat him and stole the $2.00 his mother gave him for lunch.  Since then he made certain he walked to and from school with someone.  Toby slammed the door, jumped down three flights of stairs, two at a time, into the dim hallway and out into the bright sunlight on his way to meeting Mike.

He passed a produce vendor, stopped at a red light, with a freshly filled truck and smiled when the driver ran behind it, cursing, and threatening the kids who were stealing his fruits.  As Toby walked by a deli, he caught the tempting smell of kosher pickles emanating from a wooden barrel outside the front door.  He flipped five cents on the inside counter, picked one, then crossed at the corner, walking and munching on the pickle.  The endless rows of stores and tall buildings blocked the torrid sun across the street, and Toby switched to the shady side.

Mike was not there when Toby arrived, so he lit a cigarette and waited.  Soon, his shirt stuck to his skin, wet with perspiration, and aggravation set in.  He wiped his sweaty forehead with his right forefinger and dried it on his pants. 

Then he spotted Mike’s lanky form.  Where the hell you been, Man?

Mike reached into his pocket, and pulled out a wad of crumpled bills.

I was on a roll. he smiled.  I couldn’t leave.  

Did you forget we got a meeting tonight with the Comets?  Toby said.  A strand of damp hair fell over his eye and he flipped it back.  The smile on Mike’s thin face vanished.  

Toby shot him a look.  Dam it Mike...You forgot?

The One Eyed Jacks and the Comets’ territory met at Westchester Avenue, with the Jacks staying on the East side, and the Comets on the West side.  The two groups were at it again.  This time because of what happened the previous night to the lone Comet in Jack’s territory,and a One Eyed Jack, dated Red Flannery’s girlfriend.

I know.  I’ll take care of it

Make sure everyone is here by 8:30.

Yup, I’ll see you tonight - Anything else?

Toby nodded no.

I’m going back to the game.  Hope I haven’t lost lady luck.

Chapter 2

Mila

On the return home, it seemed as if every fire hydrant was open and as he passed, he watched the police shut them down, and the kids open them again after they left.  Toby was tempted to step into the cool stream with them and stepped on the curb wishing he could jump in.  Suddenly, he was shoved forward and stumbled falling into a soft female body, driving her into the gushing water. 

Whoa Watch out babe", he called out.

Toby took a quick appraisal of the girl guessing her age at about seventeen, with bangs that almost reached her eyebrows; wet black hair, falling to her waist, and a water soaked blouse he could see thru.  When she raised her head to look at him, her dark eyes flashed in anger.

Why don’t you look where you’re going? she sputtered shaking her wet clothes

He stared, admiring the white lace bra and her firm breasts pushing through, and only when she protectively placed her hands across her chest did he realize how obvious he was.  Toby grinned, with playfulness. 

Sexy bra babe, he teased as she backed away from him. 

Mila considered herself an independent girl- a new generation, unlike both her parents who were born in Italy and very strict.  Her friends claimed she looked like Velma from one of Mickey Spillane’s novels, a compliment she accepted after reading all his books.  Something like this usually did not bother her, but there was something about this guy that did. 

Where did he come from?  She thought.  One minute she was alone and the next he was standing there, legs apart, hands on his hips, waiting for a reaction from her.  She stood before him, soaked, and embarrassed to see him gaping at her breasts.

He laughed and his eyes flashed a look of appreciation. 

Not only was she annoyed at having to dry off, she was furious by his cocky attitude and about to tell him so, when she read Toby on the front of his shirt, and One Eyed Jacks on the back.  She grabbed her baby sister and abruptly left.

Chapter 3

Comet’s Revenge

It rained between seven and eight p.m. and left the city streets damp and the horrible odors   gone with the rainfall.  Toby, the last to arrive, walked the narrow alley, hands in his pockets, making a mental note of which Jacks were there.  Satisfied, he relaxed.  Earlier, Toby changed his jeans for clean ones, and exchanged his sweaty shirt for the black jacket all the Jacks owned, to make certain everyone knew them from the Comets, who wore red.

Everybody here? he questioned, not expecting an answer.  All right, let’s go. 

Several blocks away, the Comets waited, the blood red of their jackets glowing under the setting sun.  Red assured them the Irish were smarter and quicker than the Italians were and they could take them.  The Comets, now pumped, were eager to show the One-eyed Jacks they deserved to win.

Red stepped out of the shadows into the street light.  His hair, red, and short cropped almost matched the bright red of his bomber jacket.  His hazel eyes bordered on green most of the time.  He stood not more than five feet tall, and at seventeen, ruled the Comets with brute force.  A scar on his right check, added to the appearance of his strength and it served as a reminder to the others of his triumph over the first leader of the Comets two years back.  He had no siblings, and lived in a small three-room apartment, behind the grocery his father owned.  His mother died of a drug overdose, but Red knew the truth even though his father claimed she had a terminal disease.  Flannery Senior was a tough Irishman who could hold his whiskey with the best of them.  He never remarried, although there were a few women over the years.  Red was a younger version of his dad, having the same flame colored hair, stocky body, and quick to anger.  

All here, he said.

Yeah

Let’s do it, he ordered.

A faint mist began as they marched, in a group, down the darkened and empty streets.  They turned into a dim alley, cutting through to a vacant lot on which had stood several condemned buildings, now gone, with only piles of rock remaining. 

Red stopped.  This is it.  They shuffled in behind him and waited.

With Toby leading, the One-eyed Jacks walked silently, screening both sides of the street for any hidden Comets.  The Comets were a larger group, and as added insurance, Mike gathered others who had problems with the Comets, to unite as one.  He stepped up beside Toby, and they continued in silence until their arrival at the meeting location.  The Comets were already there and waiting, twenty-five feet away.  Toby tried to find Red in the semi-darkness, but he remained hidden.

As the One Eyed Jacks approached, Red observed a larger number of One Eyed Jacks - more than he recalled, and he leaned over to Curly and whispered

What the hell.  Where did they all come from?  Are these all friggin Jacks? 

Some are from other gangs.  Curly answered.

The first time Red met him, he swore in no way would he ever call him Conrad, and gave him that nickname, and it stuck.

He bordered on the thin side with stringy brown hair that curled around his neck and always looked dirty; never had a girlfriend, and thought a rumble over any girl was dumb.

What?  Red roared.

They’re not all Jacks"

What the hell do you mean, not all Jacks?

Some of those guys are from other gangs.  See, they don’t have a Jacks shirt on.

Well screw that, Red said.  This was supposed to be Jacks and Comets only."

We can’t back out now, Curly said, We made the challenge.  It’ll look bad if we back out.

Toby Cerino planned this.  He wants us to back down"

Calm down, Red.  Curly said.  I got an idea that just might work,

It better be a good one.

Toby’s patience grew shorter waiting for the Comets to make the first move.  He could see Curly and Red, huddled together, from his place, their heads nodding, their hands waving.  Red glared at Toby, and he knew Red realized the Jacks added people.  Good, he thought.  Maybe they will back down and we can all go home. 

Curly and Red separated and Toby sighed and nodded to Mike to meet Curly in the center of the field.

We can settle this now without a rumble, Curly said.  Just give us Leo.

You guys trying to back out?  Toby shouted. 

We are not Red retorted.  Your other choice is I fight Leo; no weapons and the Jacks do not interfere.

Mike wanted a signal from Toby, but he did not move; instead, he fixed his eyes at the smoke from his cigarette circling his head.  Then he exhaled slowly and deliberately, until it blended into the atmosphere.  Mike marched back.

We can’t let Leo fight Red, he whispered.  Red will kill him.

Why not?  Toby shrugged Leo put us in this mess over a stupid girl.  So let him fix it. 

Mike argued insisting Red was the stronger of the two, but Toby persisted in his decision maintaining this is the best excuse to stop an all out fight, and they should take it.  

Okay Mike called out.  We agree Leo fights Red with no weapons, and no interference from either side.  And, if our guy wins, the Comets will back off trying to move into our territory.

Red thought, the chances of a win in this fight, with the added group the Jacks acquired, were slim, but he still wanted Westchester Avenue.

Then we get your side of Westchester Avenue, if I win he stated.

Toby sprang up, and flipped his cigarette.  Bullshit!  You get revenge, and that’s all the Jacks are giving you tonight, he shouted back. 

Red knew the Jacks would not give up their side of Westchester Avenue easily and they would have to take it by force, still he asked because they expected him to. 

The humid night air gave no relief to the sticky heat, and Toby, realized his decision, would disappoint the others, but confident the Jacks would agree to whatever choice he made. 

Go on.  Get out there, he said to Leo, and gave him a shove.

Toby Leo disputed.  Why are you doing this when I told you his girl picked me up at the movie?  Besides, this was supposed to be Jacks against Comets.

This is your problem Leo, not the rest of us.  You shouldn’t have gone with her.

Where is the: We stick together

What dumb ass would date Red Flannery’s girlfriend, Toby said, Knowing he was a Comet- our worst enemy.  Only you, so get the hell out there

Leo reluctantly stepped forward to face Red.  They stood about the same height, and Toby thought Leo had a small chance.  If he did win, maybe it would be the end of the Comets and Jacks fighting.

Red studied his opponent who tried to appear confident, and Red said to him, you better be afraid because I am going to kill you.  Then he lifted both arms to his chest and charged.  Leo raised his fists in defense and jumped to avoid the first blow.  Red’s right hand connected with his left side.  Leo swung back missing, and Red hit him again.  Red was faster, and each blow weakened Leo who tried to connect, without success.  He was desperate, and grabbed Red’s Legs pulling them both to the ground, and for the first time, Leo had the advantage.  Leo whacked at Red’s face, seeing his cheeks turned crimson with marks from his fists.  Red raised his hands to protect his face and Leo punched him in the stomach.  Leo swung again and Red grabbed both hands; flipped them over giving him the advantage.  Then he gripped Leo around the neck and squeezed.  Red’s strong fingers slowly closed around Leo’s windpipe until he gasped for air.  He pulled at Red’s fingers, without success.  Red reached in his pocket, pulled out a knife, and deliberately and slowly sliced Leo’s chest, cutting through the jacket he wore.  Leo clutched his chest, in horror and Red slashed his groin, then returned the knife back into his pocket and stood up.  The Jacks shocked and in disbelief, stood gaping at Leo as a patch of blood spread on his Jacket, and his jeans a shade of scarlet.  Red stepped back, turned to face Toby, and he grinned, enjoying the cheers of the Comets.  Toby did not intend to allow Red to get away with cheating, and motioned for the Jacks to strike, and as they ran, he shouted: Stop!  Stop! when he noticed a circle of blood oozing from the sleeve of Red’s jacket.  Leo was standing behind him, holding Red’s knife. 

Kill the bastard The Comets shouted when they saw their leader.  Kill him".

Red, bloody and enraged, swiftly turned and twisted the knife from Leo’s hands, and hacked at his body nonstop, cutting through his clothes like butter, and laughed as blood spurted from all his wounds.  Leo screamed in agony, and the One Eyed Jacks raced to his defense.  The Comets joined in and what was to be a two-man fight turned into a free for all, with each side tearing into the other, including Toby. 

Cut faces, bruised ribs, broken arms, and twisted legs, amid the colorful array of black, white, and red filled the empty city lot.  No one knew who was winning.  Nor did they care.

Both sides heard the sirens above the sounds of bats striking, iron pipes whacking, broken bottles cutting, and fists pounding, and knew someone had called them.

Red quickly put his knife back into his pocket, whistled for his Comets, and