Whispers in the wind: Part 2

Whispers in the Wind: Part 2

(The year was 1987, it was a hot sunny day in Compton.)

Matt: Ha! Look at that fatty! Run!

Jacob: Fat Boy! Fat boy!

(3 kids surrounded Fernando laughing and pointing at him. His clothes were covered in dirt and he had blood pouring down his nose, tears streamed down his face.)

Fernando: Come on guys, you are supposed to be my friends, why are you doing this?

Jacob: Why would we want you to be our friend fat boy?

Matty: Fat up fatty!

Jacob: Where is the rest of that lunch money?

Fernando: I gave it to you already.

Matt: Well we kinda spent it already, we need more (Shrugs.)

(Matt kicked Fernando in the stomach. Fernando squealed and fell on the floor.)

Fernando: Please! You guys I need to go home-

Matt: You crying for your mama?

Miquel: Ha! Next time you better bring more-

(Pedro and Jese appeared from the edge of the park. Pedro ran towards them dragging his baseball gear. He had just finished practice. His face was pale, he wore a look of distress. Jese struggled to keep up with him.)

Pedro: Hey! Hey! That's my brother! Leave him alone!

(He dived on the floor beside Fernando and held him. Pedro shook with rage.)

Pedro: Hey man! Why did you do this?

Matt: Shut up man, you don't ask questions here!

Miquel: Fat boy got your big brother? Awwww now he is gonna tell on us. Now not only are you a loser, but you a rat too.

Pedro: Say sorry! Just say sorry and promise you will never touch him again!

Matt: Why would I do that-

Fernando: (Splutters) Let's go home-

Matt- Aww he still wants his mama-

(In one swift movement Pedro got up and moved towards Matt and snuffed him in the face. Matt fell backwards in shock.)

Miquel: You think you are tough?

(Miquel moved towards Pedro. Pedro stamped on his foot and smacked him in his face. Matt pulled back Miquel and they both ran towards the exit. Pedro was shaking, he turned behind and Jese sat there with Fernando. He had his arm around him reassuringly, Jese wore a blank expression.)

Pedro: You ok?

Fernando: Yes, sorry, I shouldn't have been hanging around those guys. I though they were my friends.

Pedro: They are suckers.

Fernando: Oww! My nose hurts.

Pedro: We will get you home and mama will clean you up 

(He put his arm around Fernando and wiped his face.)

Pedro: I will always protect you brother.

Fernando: I love you big brother.

Pedro: ( Smiled) ewww, shut up, lets go home and clean you up.

(Jese stared at the boys as they ran out of the park. He stood up and picked up Pedro's baseball bat whilst he continued to wipe Fernando's face. He ran for the exit, he chased them down with the baseball bat. Pedro turned around and saw his bat and Jese were gone. He could see Jese perusing the bullies.)

Pedro: Jese! What are you doing?? COME BACK!!

(But it was too late. Jese swept Matt's leg and he stumbled on the floor. Jese swung the bat at his jaw. Blood poured out of his mouth immediately. Jacob and Miguel were shocked and confused. They called out "Please stop". They raised their hands up in protest. Jese raised the bat above his head. At the last moment Pedro jumped from behind and snatched the bat from him.)

Pedro: Are you crazy Jese!? Look what you done!

(Jese's face was still blank, he shrugged his shoulders and turned his back on Pedro.)

End Scene

Chapter 2

Long Island, 2001....

(Pedro sat opposite Fernando. He starred at his little brother with a stern look. Fernando could not bring himself to keep eye contact with Pedro, he looked around the room every few seconds, then he looked down on the floor. He had a cast on his arm. He had almost fully recovered but still moved gingerly.

Fernando: So umm, where is the angel? I miss her.

Pedro: She is with her grandma, but she is none of your concern now, I don't want her to see your stupid ass before you are fully better. She won't be ok with seeing you like this, I don't want her to be asking me questions I can't answer, because I'm not lying to my baby again. You look like shit. She doesn't need to know that her favourite uncle is a dumbass who doesn't know what he wants in his life.

Fernando: Brother, I know what I want, I just got caught up in-

Pedro: (Jumps up enraged.) Are you crazy? Do you not have your own voice? Do you not have your own mind? Why are you still following Jese? You waiting till you follow him to the jail house or the grave.

Fernando: Bro, its about the money!

Pedro: No! It's not. it never was! You forget I was knee deep in the streets. I had the money, I had all the dope. After a while, ego and jelousy gets into the business and it becomes about keeping up appearances. Repping your set, it's all stupid! Jese is feared in the streets, he has a reputation and he wants to keep that intact, that is what is important to him. 

Fernando: I can't get up and leave him-

Pedro: Why? People gonna call you a pussy?

(Fernando sighs and puts his hands in his head.)

Pedro: If you are a real jefe you would know when to walk away from something that isn't helping you. You shouldn't care about people's opinions, I know you know I'm making sense. Could you have a child or a marriage and still be in the streets? I put in work just like you but I lost too much, if I was wise enough I would have left much earlier than I did.

Fernando: I know you are right.

Pedro: There comes a time where a man has to choose between what is right or wrong. There is no half stepping. It is either you in or you out. I know you ain't no punk so it's not a cop out., it's about making the right decision.

Fernando- Pedro, Jese won't be happy amigo.

Pedro- Look just hang out here for a few weeks, just see how it is, you don't have to stay, you are your own boss but just see the difference and maybe you may change your mind.

Fernando: Ok, just a few weeks.

Pedro: Thank you brother! You won't regret this.

Fernando: I love you brother.

Pedro: You still a fruit pop huh? HAHAHA

Fernando: Ha!

End Scene

Chapter 3

(Almost a year had passed and Fernando was living in Long Island with Pedro. He lived with him and Eliza. Fernandos had did some short courses in business and construction. At first he hated it, but after a while he gradually got used to it. Pedro knew that Fernando was a whiz with numbers and encouraged him to put that skill in a productive way. A year ago Jese had Fernando managing his accounts which held his dirty money. Jese was still in contact with both of his brothers and had tried a few times to lure Fernando back to the streets.  At some points Fernando was close to dropping out and going back to Compton but Pedro had managed to convince him otherwise. Working on the site made Fernando lose a lot of weight. He had shifted at least 40 pounds. He was content with life in Long Island.

Pedro: That's it buddy, it's getting easy!

Fernando: Man!

(Fernando sat on the curb and wiped his brow.)

Fernando: I can't believe this weight loss has happened. All I did was make calls, drive around town and eat at the steak joints.

Pedro: Living reckless.

Fernando: Dr said my blood pressure has lowered so I'm happy. 

(They both sat and looked across the street. A few kids played hop scotch, some played soccer, whilst some just ran around. The ice cream van pulled up.)

Pedro: Remember you used to save 2 dollars just to get your double cone special?

Fernando: Man I was a fiend for those things!

Pedro: Mama would laugh at you because you were embarrassed but you always tainted your shirt or jeans. She would see the stains when she was doing the laundry.

Fernando: I know crazy right.

Pedro: I wonder what life would have been like for us if we lived out here when we were kids. I wonder where we would be right now in life.

Fernando: I know, living out here isn't so bad. Maybe you would be playing baseball in the major leagues.

Pedro: Getting that real money huh. I wonder if we lived out in this area mama would have received proper healthcare, maybe she would still be here today.

Fernando: It sucks.

Pedro: Look at those teenagers, they have peace of mind, not thinking about getting robbed or robbing people. But I can't complain. I wouldn't have Eliza today and I wouldn't have learnt the valuable lessons of life. 

Fernando: Yeah bro, I think I want to settle down and have kids as well bro.

Pedro: Really? 

Fernando: I've always wanted to be with somebody and settle but I was too focused on the money. And you are right, you can't raise a family in the hood.

(Pedro smiled at him and picked up his phone and dialed.)

Pedro: Hey Stacy!

Stacy: Hey baby!

Pedro: You want sangrias and tacos tonight?

Stacy: Haha...hmmm so where are we going?

Pedro: Na tonight you come over ma, and bring your sister Sara. Would be nice if she meets Fernando.

(Fernando shook his head violently, his throat dried up.)

 Pedro: You know my brother hasn't made a lot of friends and he makes some mean tacos.

Stacy: Well I hope he is a better chef than you.

Pedro: Wow! We got jokes huh? I taught him everything he knows.

Stacy: Ha! I'm just kidding. Ok sure we will come over. You want me to bring anything?

Pedro: Na, just bring your fine ass over ma.

Stacy: Pedro you are so crazy! I will be there at 7.

(Pedro put the phone down and winked at Fernando.)

Fernando: Pedro!

Pedro: Shut up, you need a lady in your life man. These ain't no hoochie mamas as well, these are good women out here bro, you have to level up.

Fernando: By cooking them tacos??

Pedro: Yes, you will wear Eliza's pink apron too.

Fernando: mannnnn! Alright, I will give her a chance.

Pedro: You don't have a choice.

Fernando: Is she hot?

Pedro: She's hot enough. Just focus on the ingredients.

End Scene.

Chapter 4

Sara: MMMMM. These taste so gooodddd.

Fernando: Ha! Thank you, this was a recipe from my grandma.

Sara: You will have to share your recipe with me one day.

Fernando: Sure thing ma'am.

(Sara was blonde just like her sister. she was a bit bigger, a bit chubby, she had a very pretty face and wore her hair in a bun. Her and Stacy had different styles. Stacy wore a maxi dress and sandals whilst Sara wore a baggy T-Shirt and ripped jeans with converses. She worked as a mechanic near the city.)

Fernando: So uh, what do you do you guys do for fun out here?

Sara: I play pool, sometimes basketball, sometimes gun range.

Stacy: Sara is crazy she does everything.

Sara: You mean you are boring.

Stacy: Whatever!

Pedro: Haha

Fernando: Basketball huh?

Sara: Yeah...

Fernando: Who is your team and before you answer, understand that whoever you tell me i will judge you.

Sara: I support the Bulls sucker! You?

Fernando: The Bulls SUCK! I'm with the Lakers b!

Sara: URGHHHHHH! Pedro you brother is a loser!

Fernando: You mean I'm a winner, the Lakers are the best!

Sara: You probably suck on the court too.

Fernando: Is that challenge?

Sara: Yeah punk, you ready to try me?

Stacy: (Covers her face.) You got her all fired up now.

(Pedro was swaying and giggling. He was tipsy, Fernando made some strong cocktails.)

Pedro: Mami got some fire in her belly, you gotta show her in actions rather than words my bro. You gonna take her to the edge?

Sara: He ain't got the guts!

Fernando: Ok, next week we gonna see for real. deal?

Sara: Deal...sucker.

(They shook hands.)

Fernando: So what type of cars you work on?

Sara: Everything, Ranges, jaguars, everything!

Fernando: Jaguars are sweet.

Sara: You had a jag?

(Fernando shuffled. He had 3 cars in his drug dealing days but he got rid of it when he made the move.)

Fernando: Yeah, I rented when out for the week-end.

Sara: Sweet engine. You should come over one day, you would love it there!

Fernando: You better believe it.

Sara: So I hear you guys are into construction? 

Fernando: Yeah, we are about to launch our business. Everything is in order, in a few weeks it will start. I'm excited for this actually, should be cool.

Sara: I admire anybody that is able to commit to starting a business its not easy at all. 

Fernando: I know but Pedro is pretty determined to start doing it. He's ambitious, usually the responsible brother but tonight-

(Pedro stumbled to the speakers and pressed play. Marvin's Gaye's lets get it on played. He pulled Stacy close to him and began swaying her from side to side. Stacy giggled like a school girl.)

Pedro: LETS GET IT ONNN!

Fernando: Haha!

Pedro: LETS GET IT ONNNNN BABBYYY!

Stacey: You are crazy Mr.

(Pedro held her close. He hardly drank so whenever he drank the liquor always touched him quickly. Fernando and Sara went outside to continue their conversation.)

Pedro: I love you mami.

Stacy: Shut up

Pedro: I do, I love you boo.

Stacy: You are playing, this is the alcohol talking so I'm not paying any attention.

Pedro: A drunk mans words are a sober mans thoughts.

Stacy: Hmmm.

Pedro: The truth is I haven't been with a woman properly since Eliza lost her mother. And the truth is I didn't anticipate or want to get close to you because that is how I've been, you don't stress me out and you motivate me to keep focused. 

Stacy: I don't know what to say...

Pedro: Just kiss me.

(They kissed slowly and softly.)

Stacy: I love you too.

End Scene 

Chapter 5

(6 months passed and Fernando's and Pedro's business was booming. It started off rocky but after taking some legal advice they steadied the shop. They were making more money than their target they had set. Pedro was eager for it to do well as he quit his job to do it. He wanted to prove his manager wrong.)

Eliza: Daddy I've finished!

Pedro: Show me then baby.

Eliza: Look!

(Pedro scanned over the homework. She was ridiculously bright, it was confusing to him. He wasn't that bright in school. Eliza was ridiculously intelligent. All her subject teachers told him this, at first he didn't believe it but she proved it almost daily at home. She was so assured with her work. He was proud.)

Pedro: All of them right baby! My A grade girl. Come here.

(He held her and kissed her on the cheek. He appreciated these moments so much. She was getting bigger too, at times he would think what it would be like when she grew up and moved out or went to college.)

Fernando: She can take care of our financial statements no problem. 

Pedro: Haha! Soon!

Eliza: Daddy can I play with the cars please?

Pedro: Of course!

( They all went to the garage and took out the remote control cars and played them on the street. She was going through a phase where she liked cars. A few months ago it was experiments. Putting random liquids together and mixing them and seeing what happens. She was a fascinating child to say the least. After a while they went back inside. They all watched a movie together. As usual Eliza crashed within 15 minutes falling asleep on Pedro.)

Fernando: You know Jese was like that. 

Pedro: How you remember?

Fernando: I have a good memory.

Pedro: This little lady ain't moving nowhere, last few nights she been sleeping in my room, I'm too soft I keep giving in, but I don't want it to be a habit. 

Fernando: Haha.

Pedro: Speaking of Jese have you heard from him. He was mean't to be here today but I was busy. So I didn't call him.

Fernando: Hmm, that's strange. I haven't heard from him for almost a week.

Pedro: Call him.

Fernando: Oh I'm expecting a call...

Pedro: From Sara? So you can't call him first?

Fernando: Well she's been having some trouble so I said I would speak to her.

Pedro: Nando you never fail to surprise me.

Fernando: Jese probably with two girls right now, he won't mind.

Pedro: Something doesn't smell right.

(Pedro calls him. No answer, he calls again and no answer, he texts him and waits.)

Fernando: Uh huh baby, man those dudes just don't understand what you are trying to do-

(Pedro rolled his eyes and smirked at Fernando, he was smitten with Sara totally. He was happy for him. Every 5 minutes he looked at his phone checking for replies. After 30 minutes his phone vibrated. It was Jese.)

Jese; Hello brother.

Pedro: Where were you today? 

Jese: I've been busy, I've had a lot of business. I'm just out of town now, making my way back to Compton. How's Eliza?

Pedro: She was asking about you, she is fine, when is she seeing you?

Jese: Friday I will come down. I got her something.

Pedro: Hmmm ok bro. Is everything ok out of town? No drama?

Jese: Nah no drama. We just putting in work. A few of the plugs got locked up so we have to get work out of town. But ayy I can't talk about this over the phone. We will talk on Friday.

Pedro: Friday.

(Phone cuts.)

End Scene

Chapter 6

Friday...

(On Fridays the school usually closed early, sometimes Stacy or Pedro's grandma would collect Eliza. But because Jese was coming to town Pedro decided to pick up Eliza who was excited to see him and Fernando. They drove down to the park where they usually met Jese. They waited 15 minutes, he hadn't turned up yet. 30 minutes had passed and he wasn't there.)

Eliza: Daddy where is Uncle Jese?

Pedro: Maybe he got stuck in traffic hunny. Don't worry maybe he will come later. He lifted her up and shot a stinging look at Fernando.

Fernando: Hey don't look at me.

 

(Eliza began to sob. "But he promiseddd"! He texted Jese "You are an asshole. You make me sick.")

(Later that evening Fernando and Pedro went to one of their steak joints in the town. Pedro wasn't in the mood because Jese was not there. The plan was to eat and hit one of the bars in town. He also planned to discuss the business with him so he may think about coming out there. He sat by Fernando, barely speaking. Fernando kept the conversation going, he mainly droned on about Sara which he didn't mind but tonight he wasn't in the mood.)

Fernando: I'm telling you man she is the one.

Pedro: That's good for you bro.

Fernando: Ha, I will give it a few years I might propose and we will get a little house in the country. You know the gringos that live near the sea.

Pedro: Do what makes you happy.

Fernando: This is the happiest I've been in years-

Pedro: Yeah-

Fernando: I guess that-

Pedro: Yeah, go for it?

Fernando: Huh? Are you listening to me-

Pedro: Phone him, phone that asshole.

Fernando: Man leave Jese man, it's cool. When he is ready he will come around. This is not the first time he has done that.

Pedro: I don't care-

(Pedro dialed his number three times with no reply.)

Pedro: Call him.

Fernando: If he didn't answer, why would i call again-

(Pedro called over the waiter to pay the bill. Her paid it and stormed out. They jumped in his car. Before he stuck his key in the ignition his phone rang. He picked up up and it was Jese calling.)

Pedro: You asshole!

(No reply...)

Pedro: Look you need to explain to my girl why you didn't show up.

(Heavy breathing on the other line.)

Pedro: Look-

(Fernando sat confused.)

Voice: Is that Pedro?

Pedro: Hello, who is this?

Voice: Listen, to me and listen to me carefully, your brother is fine...for now...he will live if you follow my instructions.

Pedrro: What are you doing with my brother? Where is he?

Voice: Listen

(Screams could be heard in the background

Pedro: Listen, don't hurt him, please, what do you want?

Voice: I want 50 stacks in cash. Come in 3 days if not your brother dies.

Pedro: 50 stacks? You son of a bitch, I will kill you!

Voice: Ha! You won't! I will text you the address and you will bring the money. I already know where you live so don't do anything stupid. We don't want this to get messy. Eliza has a bright future ahead of her.

Pedro: Coward, who is this?

(Phone cuts. Pedro yells and bangs his hand on the steering wheel. Fernando puts his head in his hands.)

Fernando: So what are we going to do?

Pedro: We have to go to Compton.

(End Scene)