Love and Guns

“Gerard! Take the money and run!” Mikey yelled as he tossed Gerard the dark brown leather wallet. He laughed at him as he reached into the wallet and pulled out the crisp wad of green cash, and stuffed it into his tight pocket, then tossed the wallet back onto the man lying on the floor of the alley. You see, the man had deserved the beating he had gotten from the Way brothers. Well, I guess he didn’t completely deserve it. He only really got the beating because he worked for Iero, the rival mob boss to their father. Gerard and Mikey sort of saw themselves as Mafia Vigilantes, you know? Protecting what’s theirs and what not.
The way boys turned, and ran as fast as they could down the dark streets of Jersey. They had only come into the city to get a few drinks, but once they saw the jacket the man was wearing, they knew they had to beat him. His jacket literally said ‘Iero and son’ on the back.
The boys jumped into the limo waiting for them a few streets over, and bursted into laughter, catching their breaths. “God, Mikes that was such a rush!” Gerard yelled, as the vehicle began moving to where, he was assuming, was his house.
“Did you see his face when I tossed you the wallet? Ugh it was pure gold! I’m telling you, Gee. Gold.” Mikey laughed and began making a face he considered to be ‘gold’ to demonstrate the man’s face.
The boys had finally pulled up to their house, and they hopped out of the stretched car, making their way toward the front door. They house could easily be called a mansion. It was four stories tall, and the walls were white, with a dark brown roof, and green vines going up the side. There was a long driveway that stretched on for miles, behind the house that was full of company cars that said ‘Way Co.’ on the side.
The boy’s father was well to do, to say the least. He was one of the most respected mob bosses in the country, and made more money than he knew what to do with, specializing in guns and coke. Coke was actually the main reason his feud with the Ieros had sparked up. He found out that they had the same quality goods, but were selling it for cheaper, so ‘Way Co.’ regulars were now buying from ‘Iero and Son’ and it pissed him off. He kept his workers and family as far from the Iero warehouse as he could, knowing it was just an overall better environment and business than he would liked to have admit.

Gerard and Mikey were still too young to work for their father. Gerard was 19, and Mikey was 16, so they were too interested in raising havoc, rather than sorting out gun deals with other fat dudes in suits. As far as they were concerned, they were happy, and the only rule they had was to stay away from the Iero business. That’s what led them to give the previous beating to the man they saw at the bar. They had to defend their father.
The boys were lying on the couch when their father appeared at the top balcony.
“Michael, I’d like to have a word with you, if you’d please.” He said, in his normal stony voice. Once he walked back to his office, Gerard turned to look at his younger brother.
“Ooh, Mikeys in trouble.” Gerard said, wiggling his eyebrows. Mikes replied with a typical eye roll, and a slap to the shoulder, then made his way to the elevator-yes elevator- and went to the top floor.
Gerard just engaged himself in the cartoon he was watching. Mikey had wanted to watch something more important, like the news, but Gerard just called him an old man, and continued to watch his colorful cartoon. Gerard had the mind of a young child, and he was proud of it. He found it to be one of his best qualities.
He smiled, as he heard the ding of the elevator door, and looked over to see Mikey walking toward him.
“So, what did that old fart want?” Gerard said as he giggled.
“He wants me to work for him when I turn 17 next week.” He said, not looking at Gerard.
Gerard’s eyes opened wide.
“Why would he ask you and not me?” He said, sounding weak.
“He said you’re too immature to understand any of it, but Gee that’s a good thing, y’know? Like you shouldn’t lose your mentality. Who cares if you act like you’re 5? You’re great.” Mikey always knew exactly what to say to Gerard to make him feel better about himself.
“So did you say ‘yeah’?” Gerard asked him, genuinely curious.
“Yeah, I did. I don’t know, maybe this could be good for me.” He said, with a tight smile. Gerard had a bad feeling in his gut, but he didn’t want to upset his best friend, so he just smiled and nodded, then returned his attention to the cartoon, completely forgetting about the conversation he just had with Mikey.
Gerard’s dad was right. Gerard wouldn't even know how to hold a gun, let alone sell one.
But Mikey.. now that’s a different story. Mikey could be a good addition to the business. He was twisted in all the right ways, and maybe, just maybe, he would run the business all by himself one day.

Notes