The Redemption of Crestwood Heights

© 2010 Elliot Graves. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 8/23/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4259-3250-3 (sc)

ISBN 978-1-4678-2366-1 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Contents

all’s well that is well

something in the shadows

an enemy revealed

spoils of war

that was then, this is now

our world in a nutshell

a plot, a scheme, and a plan

the shadow of death

close to home

signs of life

the showdown

the redemption of crestwood heights

About the Author

Hell is yourself and the only redemption is when the person puts himself aside to feel deeply for another person.

-Tennessee Williams

If there’s someone out there somewhere, in some city, some town, with a gun in their hand, on the verge of making a very important decision in their life…this is dedicated to you.

I

all’s well that is well

Curtis walked through the front door of his home just after ten that night carrying a handful of envelopes with his leather jacket slung over one arm. He went for the closet nearest the front door and hung up the jacket, giving both of his hands a lot more leverage as he flipped through his mail. He hardly gave an upward glance as he moved through his home guided mostly by memory on his way toward the living room.

Upon reaching his destination he found reading the information on the outside of the envelopes increasingly difficult due to the fact that there weren’t any lights on in the room. It wasn’t entirely pitch black. The flames that flickered away in the fireplace to the left of the room provided some illumination though it was barely adequate for reading. The fire was, however, bright enough for him to see Jasmine curled up in a chair across the room from the amber glow.

Something wrong with the lights? Curtis asked her. He watched the glass of cognac she held slowly move up to her lips and back down to where she rested it beside her knee.

No, she replied softly.

Then why aren’t they on?

I like it better this way. Matches my mood.

Curtis moved closer to the fireplace, tipping the envelopes at an angle in an effort to get a better look at the text on the outside of them. Should I be happy about that or not?

I couldn’t care less.

"And that would be a not, he said, still sifting through his mail. Where’s Matthew?"

Where do you think? Her voice remained soft as if she were speaking to someone standing right next to her. Curtis lowered the envelopes and looked across the room at her. He’s asleep, she said, raising her glass again.

He walked across the room in her direction, gently slapping her on the shoulder with the mail he held as he moved past the chair she was in. I’m gonna go check on him. Don’t stay up too late.

Curtis moved through the door behind her knowing, given her current location in the house, that Matthew couldn’t have been too far away. Most likely in the room made up especially for him and his needs on the ground floor of the three story home that was one of several. He was able to alleviate himself of the concern he felt for Jasmine’s disposition no sooner than he had stepped out of the same room she was in. Having grown accustomed to her increasing despondency, it was easy for him to dismiss her aggravation with the same level of callousness that he would give to her stubbing a toe. It would pass, same as always. His problem was the difficult time he always had fathoming the cause of these spells she would constantly slip into. As if somehow the expanse of her home, make and model of her mode of transport, and overflowing bank accounts among other things, weren’t enough to warrant a bit more mirth when he saw her. Curtis switched on the light as he entered the baby’s room. Matthew was asleep but Curtis knew that even if he hadn’t been the chances were good that this thirteen month old would be in considerably better cheer than his mother.

Curtis walked through the front entrance of the Wilshire Deli. The place should have been catering to the customers that, at this hour, surely would have been gladly offering up their patronage had it not been for the gunshots that had been fired off inside the establishment earlier that day. Walking into one of the back rooms, he found James Everest inside kicking around some of the rubble that littered the floor. Someone had really trashed the place and Curtis had a good idea about who that someone was.

What is this, the third hit in two weeks? Curtis said, gazing in amazement at the horrible mess all around him. The only answer he received from James came in the form of a grin. I can’t believe this is happening.

Maybe you should think about beefing up security around here, James said with laughter in his voice.

Just tell me it wasn’t who I think it was.

The joy in his voice was still apparent when he responded with, Wish I could. He cleaned out the dope too. About a key and a half. James watched Curtis move around the room and over toward the window, taking into account the amount of frustration he saw in his friend’s body language. He pulled the cord that lifted up the blinds. Hey, man, I understand that you’re pissed but there was hardly enough shit here for you to be so worked up.

It’s not that.

Then I take it this is a Jasmine issue we’re talking about?

Curtis let the cord go and turned toward him. Yeah. She was giving me shit last night. I’m starting to get the impression that she’d prefer me home at a more decent hour sometimes, he said with an air of sarcasm that brought more laughter out of James.

Who would’ve thought that life with a pusher like you could be so stressful.

What about casualties? Curtis asked, reverting the topic back to something more work related. Anybody get shot?

James thought back. Guy took one in the arm. That’s about it. What do you want to do?

Well, if I ever see Felix again I’ll take care of this shit myself. Curtis soaked up the damage done to the room with his wandering eyes once more. But for now, he sighed, I’ll just let Phillip know what happened. See what he thinks.

Curtis was in the manager‘s office staring out of the window that overlooked the continuously surmounting girth of partygoers that made up the crowd on the ground floor of Club Ray. Felix Hale, huh? Curtis released the blind panel that he had bent down to get a better view of the sea of people and turned around at the sound of Phillip’s voice. He had his glasses off, cleaning the lenses with a cloth that he brought out of his pants pocket, a grin beaming across his face as he sat in the chair behind the manager’s desk. James wore a similar set of lips where he sat on the other side of the maple structure.

Getting on my nerves, Curtis said through clenched teeth and a forced smile that brought laughter to the room.

So I hear, Phillip said when his chuckles fades. It’s all good though. I got a line on a guy. Says he can arrange a sit down with our good friend Mr. Hale. I’ll talk to him. See if we can’t…resolve this little misunderstanding.

Well, well. Phillip. The man with all the answers. Curtis walked past James and moved toward the office door. You do what you gotta do. I’m gonna go find Paulie. Tell him you’re sitting in his favorite chair.

He stepped out of the office and abandoned the room that was currently filled with an over abundance of cheer for the solace of the hallway outside. Curtis! a voice called out to him. Solace might have been an understatement. He stopped and turned to face the quickly approaching image of Alex. Curtis had almost forgotten he’d left her out there.

Alex. Damn. You still here?

She slowed her pace at his acknowledgement of her presence, eventually coming to a stop right in front of him. You said you’d only be inside for a minute. So I waited.

I also remember telling you that you had the rest of the night off.

True, she said, letting her eyes drop to the area of wood planked floor between them. But since you said you wouldn’t be long…I just thought I’d wait.

Her eyes were with his again and after giving the stunning image of this young woman an up and down once over, Curtis turned around and continued down the hall. Come on, he said through his smile. Let’s get you something to drink.

Alex gave chase and soon accompanied him at the bar downstairs. Curtis reveled in her company and the drinks they shared together until he noticed his friends James Everest and Phillip Conrad make their way into the festivities occurring on the ground floor of Club Ray. The place was packed. It was a pretty decent crowd for a Friday night, but Curtis still managed to make out their silhouettes despite the flashing multicolored strobes. Alex received a peck on the cheek and a reminder that she was off the clock before Curtis left the bar and made his way to the table that Phillip and James were settling into at the back of the club. The trio was soon confronted by a waitress who, pen and pad ready, asked for their drink orders. A round of dictation later and she was off.

Felix Hale, Curtis grumbled, staring out at the joyous crowd and cursing the man that belonged to the moniker he’d just uttered for preventing him from partaking in their elation at this particular moment. Who the hell does he think…

Hey, a very nearby voice said, interrupting his train of thought. Curtis turned his head and caught sight of the four women that were closing in on their table. He might have noticed their approach earlier had he not been so preoccupied with thoughts of his aggravating situation with Felix Hale. You boys looked lonely over here, the one out in front said. We were thinking you could use some company.

Curtis glanced around the table for a collective reaction from his comrades. He made sure to pay extra special attention to Phillip’s demeanor, in some manner expecting his lack of attentiveness to be apparent on his friend’s face. They had just been blindsided by four strangers and even though there were security details all around, Curtis still felt a lingering pressure to perform. His duty called for it.

I think we can make room, James said to them.

More chairs were retrieved and the girls squeezed in all around them. The others didn’t appear to mind the intrusion so Curtis relaxed and resumed his enjoyment of the evening. The waitress returning with their drinks made it that much easier to do. She left after taking down the orders of their new companions and Curtis lost all thought of the transgression he’d allotted to himself. He reminded himself, just the same as he’d done with Alex earlier, that the clock had been officially punched and they were off duty. The both of them.

I heard someone say that you guys own this place, one of the girls said gleefully.

Please, James quickly retorted. He tasted his drink. Who the hell would be stupid enough to sink any money into this shithole? The laughter that followed confused their new guest and exposed the ire of one member of the circle.

Obviously not someone too short-sighted to take advantage of a good investment opportunity when they have the chance.

Phillips comment only brought more vocalized amusement to James.

What about you? the young lady sitting to Curtis’ left asked him with a quick turn of her head. Are you in the club business?

He watched her eyes scan him up and down. No. I mainly work out of my home, Curtis finally said to her. Phasing out the responsive chuckles of his colleagues, he gingerly awaited her response.

Well, maybe when you’re done here we can go back to your place and you can show me exactly what it is that you do.

More audible cheer.

Curtis tasted his Hennessey. I’d love to, he said, looking down into his glass. He brought his eyes up and turned them toward the honey brown vixen sitting next to him. But I think my co-worker might be a little more than upset about that. He took another drink. But what I can do…is see to it that your drinks are on the house tonight.

And how do you plan on doing that? Phillip interjected, apparently disturbed by this turn of events.

Curtis stood up from the table. Just put it on my tab, he said with a grin.

You haven’t paid your tab in over two months.

Backing away into the crowd, Curtis brought his glass up to the pleased display shown on his lips and turned around.

He bumped into various bodies as he made his way across the dance floor, trying desperately not to spill his drink, until he made it to the other side, clumsily stumbling into Jasmine who was currently forcing her way in the opposite direction. Wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight, he said after collecting himself.

Her steely stare wasn’t hard to make out even in this level of dimness. It perked his curiosity, but failed to jar him beyond that. Funny. I was almost positive you’d be here.

Ignoring her jeer, Curtis wrapped an arm around her lower back and pulled her in close to him. His mood continued to maintain a significant amount of cheer and he was eager to share in its spoils. Something you need that I should know about? he said to her.

Jasmine’s palm planted down firmly on his chest and her eyes did the same. The spite that she contained and reserved specifically for him weaned the instant she laid sight on him. Maybe he wouldn’t notice. She was certainly willing to do her part as long as it was within the realm of her capabilities. She brought her eyes up to his again, hoping to retain a certain level of defiance. No, she answered him. I just wanted to see you, so I figured I’d drop by the club. Imagine my luck, she said sarcastically.

Her pretentiousness was shrugged off by Curtis. Then tell me why looking at you puts me under the distinct impression that I should be worried about something. Jasmine averted her glance. Curtis lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his finger across her cheek.

She brushed it away. Fuck you. Her reluctance didn’t seem to have any effect on him. It didn’t matter. She was dieing to share, just as he’d known she was. I talked to my momma today, she caved and admitted.

Oh yeah? How’d that go?

Fine, she answered. Just fine. Except for the fact that I found out that Monica’s grounded.

Again? Curtis said, his shock truly genuine as he raised his glass to his lips again.

She got caught sneaking back into the apartment the other night after sneaking out to go to a party that some of her friends were having after momma had already said she couldn’t go.

She is a senior now, Curtis offered up in defense of her rebellion. Guess it’s only natural that she’s starting to act like she’s grown already. He turned his mind back to Jasmine. Did you want to stay for a while or do you need me to take you home?

That’s alright. Jasmine relieved him of the glass he held and hit him hard against his shoulder with her own as she walked past him. Curtis saw her finish off the contents of his glass and continue forward into crowd until her shape vanished from his eyesight. Averting his admiration, he moved off in the opposite direction.

Curtis pulled his car into the Crestwood Heights apartment complexes at around noon the next day. Immediately locating the building he used to reside in so many years ago, he pulled his car into the parking lot and brought it to a stop in front of the dwelling. Floor number six was his destination. Once he made it up he found Monica Fisher alone in her apartment. Curtis had closed the door behind him and moved into the living room. Where’s Jackie? he asked her. Monica was currently splayed across the couch in front of the television.

She’s at the grocery store, the brown skinned youthful delinquent answered him.

Curtis moved behind the couch, eventually leaning forward over the back cushion and tracing his eyes over the length of her stretched out form. Been to any good parties lately?

Monica looked up and into his piercing eyes as he poised himself up over the back of the couch, looking down at her with utter contempt. She turned her gaze back towards the television. Does Jasmine have to tell you everything? He didn’t have to say anything more for Monica to figure out the motivation behind his visit. Her sister had obviously been well informed of the recent indiscretion that had landed her in some reasonably hot water with her mother. Her older sibling’s unwarranted distress, as it had been expressed in her own home, had, no doubt, managed to trickle down to Curtis, prompting this visit. He was overreacting. They were all overreacting, as far as Monica was concerned, but she felt Curtis’ presence there now was mainly a result of the heat he’d been forced to endure due to Jasmine’s disappointment rather than anything involving her own behavior.

Well, she’d have less to tell me if you would start acting like you had some sense.

Curtis walked around to the front of the couch. When he slapped Monica on the legs she pulled her knees up toward her chest, giving him room to sit down on the couch. You came all the way over here just to lecture me? she said, changing the channel on the television with the remote she held. She dropped it to the carpet after finding a program she felt comfortable with.

No, Curtis answered her. I came over here to make you a deal. She moved her eyes away from the screen and down towards the end of the couch he occupied, fixating her gaze on him. "Your sister has been in one of her