Game Recognize Game

19. Rock Em' To Sleep: Part 1

       "Why don't you lean back and relax man," Chuckee pointed to me,"You look as stressed as your dad," he laughed. However, my dad being stressed was not a funny situation. I looked over at Blondie for the first time and he locked eyes with me before nodding. My father was agitated and when he's agitated he's aggressive. "I'm going to go see papi," I barely got out before the music was cut off and you heard someone clearing their throat. "If y'all are done bullshitting, we can work on cleaning up this mess these kids have made," my fathers voice rung out from behind. "I would hardly call this a mess," my Uncle Santos chuckled, taking a swig of his vodka. "Of course you wouldn't. Everyone to the office, lets go. And, Nickolas. Go change into something suitable for a young man. This isn't the hood," my father seethed. I rolled my eyes and got up, walking past him without so much as a hand shake. I was four inches taller then my father who was the same height with my mother.

     "Party popper," My uncle Santos joked behind me. "Shut the fuck up Santos," my father snapped as they went upstairs. I walked into the guest room with my bags and mad a quick change into a grey button up shirt and navy blue designer slacks. I paired that with some grey loafers and went upstairs where my father was questioning Jovani about his coast. "It's all good, with the help of Ryan and Michigan it's been cool," he said making my eyes go wide and argument start. It was a very apparent rule we had to not have Michigan involved with the business. However, Jovani and Poochie thought otherwise.

      My father put a hand up, and the room fell silent. "You know the rules Jovani, don't let Mitchy's begging and whining get you replaced. She isn't to be involved in these affairs simple as that," my father explained. "But all she does is count and pick up money Uncle, I mean she has to make her own money," Poochie stuck his neck out for her. Jovani just sat back in his seat and watched. "Poochie she's my daughter! And when she's finished with college she can make her own legal money. She isn't trained like you boys are, and I've known a lot of comrades that have come up missing just from picking up and counting money," my father tried to explain as calmly as he could. "But," Poochie started, but Santos cut him off. "No buts Poochie, we make the rules for you all to abide by not to break! That's why you guys have people robbing you now," My uncle finished, drawing agreements from the old heads.

      "And did you know about this," my father turned to me, as usual, so I could hear the same 'you're in charge speech'. "No I didn't," I said through tight lips. Out the corner of my eye I could see Blondie shaking his head. "Well if you're running shit, don't you think you should know what's going on in your crew," he barked at me. "Papi, come on! He's all the way in California! Jovani handles shit well, I don't think I should have to babysit him or Poochie for that matter," I said throwing my hands up in annoyance. "I didn't tell you to babysit shit! That ain't your job estupido, I told you to keep your eyes and ears open, before turf wars start and people start getting killed unnecessarily! We tell you boys this shit to prevent problems not to have any in our own family!" When he was finished ranting he looked at me. "Por qué te preocupas por la empresa familia," (Do you even care about the family business?) my papi asked? "Of course," I sighed. "But it seems like every time something happens, you guys jump in! Don't get me wrong we appreciate your help, but if you guys are going to continue telling us how to deal with our problems how will we learn to fix them," I asked? 

     "By watching and listening," Chuckie joked. "So you guys are just going to play us like puppets while we do the hard work," Poochie mumbled, leaning back in his chair. "No we're going to direct you, so you work hard and get paid better. We've been through the same shit you have...," my papi started, but I interrupted him. "And Papa Bear, sent you out there to solve it! Grandpa never got involved once you took over, he let you be a man and fix any problems you caused, because that's part of the game," I finished making Jovani and Poochie dap each other off. The room got quiet as everyone mumbled and grumbled. I watched my father look at me with his hand under his chin. "So, you want to be a man? You're saying you want me to stand back, let you take full responsibility for this drug cartel, and stay out of your way? Because your a man right," he chuckled, getting up and walking towards me. I watched him out the corner of my eye as he walked behind me. His face was red, and I knew that meant trouble. I tried to push my chair back and stand up, only to have my neck grabbed, and my face pushed into the table.