Late Shift

Prologue

... It was a late evening, when the engine sound of an old Cadillac fired up from the garage of the house where Jericho was waiting patiently, in the lounge with the luggage at his feet and next to the sofa where he was currently sat.

A brief moments later, his brother rich walked in to the lounge from the bedroom upstairs and walked towards Jericho. Rich was an ambitious, although hot-headed young man. Growing in a suburb mostly occupied by black people like themselves he took advantage of every small opportunity he had to stand out amongst his peers. The struggle was hard, and with a notice of eviction it was even harder to see his brother leave to work in a more accepting country such as England.

Jericho got up from the sofa and looked into his brother's eyes.

"Do you promise?" He asked his brother.

"Promise what?" Rich asked, looking pretty confused... or trying to.

"We are not 16 anymore, Richard. We can't do the shit we've been doing to piss out grandpa. You gotta swear on your damn life you won't get into any of those street races the mexicans fool around with."

"They pay well, and at the end of the day it ain't bad if we manage to pay out the rent. You won't start a business to save us from eviction anytime soon, Jericho. What are you thinkin'? You ain't going for gold digging in England. What will you do once you're there? Live on the streets?" His brother replied with a hint of anger in his voice. Although it wasn't obvious if it was because of his brother's departure or the situation they were struggling with.

"Maybe I will, fool. But until then, Penny has me all set up. I'll crash at her place once I'm there and maybe after a bit of time I can find a safe place to work and live and then I can afford to send you and gramps as much as I can to help you out with rent. Maybe I can find something for you too." Jericho said, although a bit concerned for his little brother. He tended to get a bit temperamental when challenged and he was sure that would be the death of him one day if he didn't manage to cope with his anger.

"I ain't leaving. I'm not like you, if I leave too, gramps is gonna die with no one to check on him." Rich said and it was now clear his temperamental behaviour got in the way of things.

"Listen here, punk---"

The discussion was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the main door opening.

"Are you boys ready? Jericho, watch the foul language." John, their grand father said.

"But I didn't... Nevermind. Are you ok? I can drive if you're getting heart aches again." Jericho offered to help.

John was suffering from health illness, one of the main reasons his elder grandson stopped racing.

"Stop messing around, boy. I'm good. Get your bags in the car and let's go."

Ten minutes later they struck the road. The airport was one hour away and Jericho's flight wouldn't depart until 20:15.

Richard, who was occupying the backseat was silent. It looked like he intended to remain grumpy through the whole ride.

"They won't kick us out until the 29th of may. Jericho, since your mother died it's been hard. I had to take care of you both, and as much as I regret you have to leave I know it's necessary. Don't get in trouble once you are there. Good quick money is always dirty money. Make some at your own pace but work honestly." John said to his nephew, a bit concerned about the ways his grandson intended to make money in England.

"Not one of us would think mom would leave us so soon. No need for anyone to blame themselves, but I won't risk getting caught and leaving you too. You need me." Jericho said as he looked in the mirror towards his brother.

"Look, Richard. I know the situation is tough. For all of us, but you gotta put your frustration away, you know this is the best course for all of us." John said to Rich.

Rich ignored both of them, looking to the side.

"It's hard to get him to talk. I think he does know but he's too proud to admit it." Jericho spoke to John, trying to change the subject. "Maybe in a year or two I'll be able to come back. Once things become more stable. Perhaps we'll get you a new car, gramps."

John chuckled slightly.

"I'm not giving up on Linda." He said. John was quite proud of his old Cadillac '57 DeVille. "Youths these days, you're all dreamin' of the latest BMW and Ferrari Enzo and Modena but let's be serious, it's all about iron and plastic, you never know when you're gonna lose the money you've spent, the car and your life."

...Later they were standing in front of the international departures gate. It was time for Jericho to leave the States behind and start a new life to sustain his family.

"I'm gonna take holidays when I can and see you." Jericho said. Rich remained behind, by the car.

John whistled and beckoned his grandson to come over and as he did Rich walked over to his brother who hugged him.

"Take care of gramps and yourself. Don't let me down, aight?" Jericho said to his little brother who nodded slowly.

"Aight. Take care." Rich replied.

He shook his grandfather's hand and walked away as the two waved.

20 minutes later after he checked in for the flight he walked past the security gates where he had to take his shoes and watch off. He stopped by a coffee machine. He inserted one dollar into the machine and chose a latte. Seconds after, strange sounds came from the machine, the coffee came out, but without a cup.

"Shit! Come on." He mumbled in frustration. He walked away from the machine and tried to get a coffee again from another machine. This time it worked.

He picked his bag from the floor and walked by the large window pannels watching over the track.

Jericho thought he saw his airplane getting cleaned. Five minutes later the boarding gates were open. He got to the queue and waited with his passport and boarding card in hand. As soon as he walked through the gate heading to the track he got into the bus which took the passengers to the airplane. A few minutes later he had put the bag in the space above his head and sat in the seat reserved for him, next to the window and by the wing. After the cabin crew finished displaying the instructions in case of emergency the plane took off. The sun was setting and with that the start of a new journey for Jericho and his family began.