Noah's Ark: Drugs, Murder, & Treason

By Larry Henry

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be one nation gone under." ~ Ronald Reagan

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Oranges and the mob got there first. Then cocaine built the Miami skyline in the late 70s and 80s. Miami became

• Language: English
• Publisher: McAnally Flats Press
• Release date: Nov 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9780981920955

Book preview

Chapter One: Sha Doobie

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Roger and Shannon

How do you do that?

You’re just a girl. You can’t learn nothin’.

That’s not fair. I’m gonna tell my mom.

You do and I’ll put a frog down your britches.

You keep your stinky old frogs away or I’ll tell my daddy.

I’m getting’ that frog right now!

Mommm!

Oh, shut up! I don’t even have a frog.

I’ll show you if you’ll teach me.

You will?

Yes, but you have to teach me first.

You said that last time, an’ you never did nothin’.

You teach me and I’ll show it to you, I promise.

No.

Oh, all right then. Come on. We’ll do it in the garage.

Shannon lifted her dress, pulling her panties down, then bent over so Roger could see her bottom. Shannon and her parents had moved in next door to Roger and his family eleven months earlier after Hurricane Donna laid waste to the Eastern Seaboard. The two had become playmates, but they argued over just about everything. Their parents joked that they behaved like two young married people, fighting over who wore the pants in the family. Shannon had a crush on Roger, but Roger was still at that awkward age where he thought girls were dumb. Nevertheless, Roger was beginning to notice little Shannon.

Can you see it?

Yeah. It looks like a biscuit or something.

Mama says that’s where babies come from.

I don’t believe it. How do they get in there?

Mama says daddy puts them there.

That’s crazy. It ain’t big enough.

Mama calls it my ‘Virginia.’ She says they grow in there.

How do you reckon he gets ‘em inside?

Maybe they have the doctor do it. Doctors take babies out, you know.

Does it hurt?

Mama said I came out easy as pie.

My mother never tells me anything.

Now you have to show me yours.

Roger undid his shorts and pulled down his Jockey underwear. He had never shown Shannon his penis before, but the two children where uninhibited and it didn’t embarrass Roger like it would most little boys, age eleven.

It looks like my finger.

Yeah, I write with it sometimes.

You do not. That’s where you pee.

Daddy says when I get big I’ll have one like his.

What’s his look like?

It’s bigger than mine.

Much bigger?

It’s as big around as the rake handle.

I see Mom’s all the time. She has hair on hers.

So does my daddy.

"You think we’ll get hair?’

Probably.

You said you would teach me.

All right, come on.

The children ran back outside onto the sidewalk in front of Shannon’s home. It was a perfect spring day. School was out for the summer. Traffic along the two lane street was light for the Turnberry neighborhood. Several kids were riding their bicycles or playing on skates. Mary Leibowitz waved from down the sidewalk. Mary was in the same grade with Shannon and Roger.

It’s like walking backwards. You just lift your knees and your heels while you slide your feet backwards.

Do it again so I can see how.

Roger turned his back and started down the sidewalk doing his backwards maneuver. Shannon turned her back and started in the same direction. Shannon hadn’t gone but a few steps when her heel caught in a crack and she fell over backwards, banging her head on the concrete. Roger rushed over, sliding his ball cap under the back of Shannon’s head.

Roger was experiencing strange emotions that confused him. He felt a compulsion to comfort his little neighbor with the pretty red hair and big brown eyes.

Are you okay?

Shannon sat up with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Do you want me to get your mother?

I hurt my neck. Will you rub it for me, please?

Sure.

Roger massaged Shannon’s neck tenderly where a piece of gravel had bruised her, causing a purple spot to appear. Shannon had on her mother’s perfume. Roger had never noticed before. She closed her eyes, leaning her head back against Roger’s shoulder.

Feel better?

Yes, Roger. Thank you. Let me try again, please.

Okay, watch now … raise your knees and slide those feet. Backwards, like this.

Roger Overstreet was in the same musical groove as a Cuban kid he had seen at school who called his strolling maneuver the Sha Doobie. Roger was quite the athlete. It was as though he could hear the music inside his head. He was a good Pop Warner player too. At four feet nine inches tall and seventy eight pounds, Roger excelled at the halfback position with his football team.

Mary had abandoned her bicycle to come and watch. So did Fred Roberts from across the street. They asked Roger to teach them the Sha Doobie like he was doing with Shannon. Roger led them over to his driveway where there were no cracks to trip over.

Watch now, it goes like this … raise your heels, and slide your feet.

Mary was getting the gist of it, but Shannon and Fred kept having difficulty. This went on for five minutes with Fred and Shannon losing their balance every few steps.

Shannon was frustrated. Why can’t I do it? she exclaimed.

Roger thought for a minute. I forgot something. he said. You have to say ‘Sha Doobie’ first.

Sha Doobie? Fred was the neighborhood skeptic. That’s silly.

Sha Doobie! said Shannon. She went scooting backwards down the driveway like a little professional.

Sha Doobie!

Fred began his backwards stroll. He tripped twice. Then he got the hang of it.

I love it! Shannon squealed, clapping her hands. Sha Doobie! Sha Doobie!

Roger’s mother came out on the front porch to see what all the excitement was about. Joyce Overstreet took a seat on the porch swing, marveling at the four children strolling backwards all over her driveway. What fun, she thought.

Joyce walked down the front steps to where the children were showing off their skills. May I try? she asked.

Fred Roberts grinned. Sure, but you gotta say ‘Sha Doobie’ first.

What does it mean? she asked.

Roger answered his mother. It’s magic, Mom.

Mrs. Overstreet responded. If I say the magic words can I Sha Doobie too?

Roger replied. Sha Doobie is when the Great Spirit grants you a wish.

Sha Doobie! Joyce Overstreet went gliding across the driveway pretty as a picture. This is fun, Roger. This really is fun.

Shannon and Roger stood side by side smiling at his mother. All the kids were impressed with Missus Overstreet and her first Sha Doobie experience. Half an hour later she had them all in her kitchen for milk and fudge brownies.

When Shannon’s father got word about the kids and their Sha Doobie activities, he decided to do something special for the neighborhood children. Being a trial attorney over in Hallandale, he took one of the firm’s letterheads and drew up a legal document using their finest parchment paper.

SHA DOOBIE

This august document represents a Platinum Membership in the Sha Doobie Tribe of Moon Walk Boulevard, Turnberry, Florida. We of the Sha Doobie Tribe do hereby pledge allegiance to our brothers and sisters, the Great Spirit, and his beautiful daughter Moon Walker. All who sign this document become members for life, promising loyalty and good fellowship to all Tribal Warriors until Happy Hunting Ground.

Tribal Council shall consist of Chief Moon Dog, Luna Treasurer, and First Warrior. Tribal Council shall be elected by secret ballot and majority vote. All remaining members shall hold the honorary title of Tribal Warrior.

Monthly fees of one dollar per Warrior shall be collected and held in escrow by Luna Treasurer for Tribal events. All who join the Sha Doobie Tribe shall sign the secret pledge, swearing Honor Bright on their Ancestor’s Bones. So stated before God and Country this Age of Aquarius, 1962.

Eleven children lived on the street and all eleven signed as Tribal Warriors. Barrister Parker made each child an original copy on the same parchment paper. He then had each document framed in tulip wood.

It was as though a miracle had taken place in the neighborhood. The children seldom fought or argued anymore. They had become the Sha Doobie Tribe. They played together, attended picture shows together, outings at the beach, and shared weenie roasts in their own backyards.

For his twelfth birthday all the members were gathered at Roger’s home for cherry ice cream and chocolate birthday cake. Roger asked Shannon if she would consent to becoming his Tribal Princess.

Shannon gave Roger a big smile. Yes! She answered.

Shannon hugged Roger and kissed him on the cheek. All the children hollered and clapped their hands.

The Parkers and the Overstreets were proud of their children. Shannon and Roger made a darling couple. They were the light of their parent’s eyes. The Sha Doobie Tribe had just acquired their first pair of Lovie Dovies.

Chapter Two: Young and Beautiful

Pastor McFarland was speaking.

Adam was an irresponsible husband. Noah was a drunk. Jacob deceived his father and tricked his brother out of his birthright. Moses was a murderer. King David was a murderer and an adulterer. Yet God called on each one of these men to serve as an inspiration for those who followed His teachings. God calls on unlikely people for the purposes of His Kingdom.

Shannon punched Roger with her elbow, whispering. There may be hope for you yet.

Roger whispered back, smiling. You’d love me if I was Blackbeard the Pirate.

I certainly would not. I’d turn you in to the Shore Patrol, and watch them hang you from the yardarm.

Yeah! And probably swing from my feet, you blimey wench.

Oh, but they’re such adorable feet. And pink little toes.

Pipe down, you two. Have a little respect in the Lord’s House.

Yes, ma’am.

Twenty minutes later the service let out and Roger walked Shannon home. The birds were singing and the butterflies were fluttering about the pretty flowers on the manicured lawns. Their parents were proud and thankful for the way their children were growing up. Roger and Shannon were in love. The two were going on fourteen and shared classes together in the eighth grade. Roger made good grades and excelled at Pop Warner football. Shannon was a straight A student, having made the cheerleading squad with the football team.

Roger had changed over the past twenty-four months, maturing into a fine young gentleman. Shannon had changed too, evolving into a beauty, a bit of a coquette but she worshiped her Roger. Shannon often changed clothing in front of Roger, proud of her shapely bottom and budding breasts.

She invited him to touch them, telling him, Someday we’ll be married and these will be for you.

Nothing Shannon did embarrassed Roger for he did love kissing her and fondling her pretty breasts. His erections were another matter. He wanted to wait until they were older. Shannon did too, but sometimes she unzipped Roger’s pants, taking him out and stroking his penis until he ejaculated. Roger, in turn, pushed Shannon’s panties down, gently using his fingers to arouse her to shuddering climaxes. This was becoming more and more of a ritual which concerned them both.

The big game between Roger’s Blue Emus of Turnberry, and their archrival the Blue Dolphins from Hallandale was scheduled for Friday evening at the Eleanor Roosevelt High School. This was for the Miami-Dade County championship. The winner would go on to the state finals. Excitement was in the night air. Many of the townsfolk were sports enthusiasts, and the prospect of one of their Pop Warner teams capturing the state title had the sports community all abuzz. The stadium was packed when the referee blew his whistle. Sixteen thousand cheering fans rose to their feet as the football tumbled through the air.

Shorty Dog with the Dolphins received the ball on his twelve and ran it back to the twenty-nine yard line. Next play, their fullback, Eric Taylor, ran the ball off right tackle for eight more yards. Then Goose Gunzburg, the Dolphin quarterback, lobbed one downfield to his left end, Too Tall McBride, for twenty-one additional yards. The Blue Emus had been thrown off balance by a coordinated running and aerial attack. By the end of the first quarter, the Dolphins were leading Roger’s Blue Emus by seven points against a big fat hen egg.

First play of the second quarter, the kickoff came to Roger on his own ten. Away he ran, cutting upfield with his Emus forming a blocking wedge which carried Roger to the twenty-three before Badass McCoy knocked him to the turf, stepping on his right hand. Badass had a reputation for dirty tricks seldom detected by the referees. Next play, Little Willie John faked right, going up the middle for five more yards before Badass tackled him, bloodying his nose with an elbow. The refs saw that one, which cost the Dolphins fifteen yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. The ball was on the forty-three with the Emus threatening downfield in Dolphin territory.

Three Sha Doobie Warriors played on the Emu team. Roger at left halfback, Little Willie John at right halfback, and Moose Jordan at right tackle. Four plays later, they were on the Dolphin thirty-one yard line. Quarterback Pretty Boy passed the ball to their right end, Snake Wilson, on the twenty-four with nine minutes left to play in the second quarter. Try as they may, they could not get the ball into the end zone. With no time-outs remaining, fourth down and four on the nine, Coach Caputo elected to go for three points. Pretty Boy kicked the field goal, and the score was seven to three.

A near riot erupted when Badass McCoy kicked an Emu player in the groin after he was down at the end of the Dolphin runback. Again, the referees failed to see the infraction. One of the Emu players punched Badass in the face, and was promptly ejected from the game. Badass just grinned. The Emu players objected vigorously, but to no avail. Linebacker Kyle Fulmer was helped from the field into the locker room where an ice pack was placed on his bruised ego. The half ended three plays later with neither team able to score. The rivalry remained seven to three.

In the locker room, Coach Caputo was informed about the cheating Badass was getting away with on the playing field.

Phillip Caputo was a Korean War veteran, and a member of the Old City Kiwanis who attended Miami Shores Presbyterian Church. He always tried to set a good example for his boys. But today they were about to learn something different. Coach Caputo bragged on his Emus, telling them they were the best team he had ever coached. He praised them for their heart and determination in the face of unsportsmanlike behavior. He spoke of their history, about how they had prepared all year for their physical and mental challenges on the gridiron. He explained that life was not always fair. Sometimes one had to improvise to overcome adversity. Then he outlined something they had learned running the fifteen-yard obstacle course through a parallel row of old automobile tires.

Franklin Badass McCoy was the only child of a middle-class family living in Hallandale. His father was a decorated police detective with the Miami Police Department. Daisy McCoy was a sweet lady who attended church every Wednesday evening and Sunday mornings, praying for their immortal souls and her husband’s safety on the Force. Badass had gotten his nickname in the sixth grade after whipping a school bully on the playground after class. Following his pugilistic success, it wasn’t long before Franklin himself began bullying his classmates.

His father was known for bending the rules, sometimes beating confessions out of felony suspects before taking them downtown for booking. It didn’t bother him that his son was acquiring a reputation similar to his own. He was proud of young Franklin, coddling and spoiling the boy.

Detective McCoy’s partner was a fearsome-looking character from the lowlands of the Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia. He was a former bootlegger, six feet six with muscular arms and broad, powerful shoulders. A knife scar down the side of his face just below his left eye gave him the appearance of something grotesque and sinister. Everyone called him Cottonmouth because of a white birthmark on his mouth and chin. Black people were afraid of him, saying he had the Mojo sign. People steered clear of Cottonmouth because he exhibited a persona of someone prone to violence. But he and Detective McCoy got along like brothers. They shared a camaraderie which accounted for more arrests than any other detective team with the Miami Police Department.

Third quarter was two-thirds in the record book with the players battling back and forth, but neither team could gain the advantage. Then disaster struck. With four minutes left in the third quarter, the Emu center snapped the football over the quarterback’s head on the twelve-yard line. Little Willie John went running back to save the football, but was tackled in the Emu end zone for a touchback. The quarter ended with the score nine to three. Coach Caputo addressed his players in front of the bench, praising their courage, and telling them there was still time for a victory. Roger Overstreet had his doubts.

Fourth quarter began with the kickoff coming to Roger on his fourteen. He ran the ball back eight yards before a wave of Dolphin tacklers plowed him under at the twenty-two. Next play, Little Willie John faked right, running a reverse for seven yards before Badass tackled him, jamming a finger in his eye. Little Willie John had to be led off the field with an ice pack over his injury. Something had to be done.

Coach Caputo called Time-Out.

Men, remember what I told you about those tires. Now is the time. Pretty Boy, you take the snap on two, fake a pass then give the ball to Roger. Moose, you and Catfish take down the guard and tackle in front of Badass. Tommy, you block the linebacker. The rest of you boys, block anybody you can downfield. Roger, you know what to do. What’s that magic word you boys use with your social club?

Sha Doobie, Mister Caputo.

Right on! Now get out there and Sha Doobie some Dolphin ass!

Wampus Kat centered the ball to Pretty Boy who faded back to pass, handing the ball off to Roger. Moose and Catfish leveled the two defensive players in front of McCoy. Wampus Kat slammed into the defensive center, driving him sideways to the left. Tommy knocked the linebacker flat on his back. The die was cast. Roger charged up the middle for five yards. From the right he saw Badass coming. Roger pivoted right pumping his knees high in the air just like Coach Caputo had trained them running through the automobile tires. With McCoy bent down low for the tackle Roger’s knee connected with Badass’s chin, and blood flew everywhere. McCoy fell to the ground. Roger ran over the top of him, and into the open field.

Downfield blocking was picture-perfect. Only one remaining Dolphin had a shot at the ball carrier. It looked like he was going to be tackled on the twenty-five, but Tommy caught up to Roger and cut the legs out from under the last defensive player between Roger and the end zone. Roger trotted in those last few yards, spiking the ball and throwing his arms to the heavens. The crowd went ballistic! Badass was carried off the gridiron, minus a front tooth. The Emus gathered around Roger, yelling and cheering as they returned to their side of the field. Out came the cheerleaders. Shannon was there, proud as a peacock, laughing and prancing and holding Roger’s hand. The extra point was good. Coach Caputo just grinned and winked at his boys. Then he set about getting his defensive unit ready for the kickoff.

The game lasted another twelve minutes, but with their star player out with a concussion, the fire dwindled and went out in the Dolphin players. McCoy had been the glue that held them all together. He was a fine athlete. Had he been a fair-minded individual, the Dolphins might have won, but like his father he broke the rules. The game ended with the Emus on top ten to nine.

Next day, Roger’s touchdown run was featured on the front page of The Miami Herald. A celebration got underway. His mother and father threw a barbecue out on the sidewalk for the whole neighborhood. All the neighbors came, and once again the news media was there. More pictures appeared in the paper with Shannon and Roger mugging for the camera. Coach Caputo and the Emu team were featured, and all the lovely cheerleaders.

Turnberry was extremely proud of their Pop Warner team. That autumn held special memories for the Sha Doobie Tribe, their families and friends, and the residents of Dade County, Florida.

But all was not well in the land of the Flower Children, with their bell-bottom jeans, their psychedelic music, and their multi-colored beads. Dark forces were afoot both in America, and in a distant land called Indochina. John Fitzgerald Kennedy had just defeated Richard Milhous Nixon in the closest presidential election in American history. No sooner had President Kennedy and wife Jackie settled in at the White House than John was confronted with the Bay of Pigs decision. President Eisenhower, in league with the Pentagon and the CIA, had orchestrated an invasion plan to overthrow Fidel Castro. JFK was intrigued with the thought of thwarting the communist regime in Cuba and gave the go-ahead. But Kennedy lost his nerve at the last minute, personally bungling the invasion. The Castro forces carried the day. A corrupt President Batista fled the island nation. Premier Khrushchev sensed weakness in the young American president and began shipping missiles to Cuba, tipped with nuclear warheads. An American U-2 spy plane discovered the threat, and the Kennedy Administration locked horns with the Soviet Premier.

For thirteen days in October 1962, the world held its breath as the two superpowers faced off at the brink of thermonuclear Armageddon. America was poised and ready at DEFCON 2. DEFCON 1 would mean war. Khrushchev had badly misjudged the resolve of the American president, who had matured and learned from his mistakes in the Solomon Islands, and his Bay of Pigs fiasco. Khrushchev finally realized his mistake before the mushroom clouds began rising over the Soviet Union. B-47 bombers, B-52s, missile silos, and nuclear submarines around the globe were waiting for the signal to strike the Soviet Empire. The Russian Premier ordered his nuclear missiles shipped home. The world was saved. Dallas, Texas, and Lee Harvey Oswald awaited the president’s arrival thirteen months down the crimson trail of history.

Mister Overstreet and Mister Parker were second lieutenants with the United States Army Reserves in Miami. Believing it their patriotic duty and a good opportunity for serving their country, the two had volunteered for military service soon after the Overstreets moved in next door to the Parkers. John’s law practice and Steve’s managerial experience with the Burdine Department Stores afforded them excellent leadership qualifications for the Army Reserves. Joyce Overstreet and Katherine Parker were proud of their husbands. They were successful businessmen, and they cut dashing figures in their military uniforms. Every other weekend, their husbands met at the Reserve Center for classes and close order drill. Two weeks each year, they flew away to various Army installations around the United States. There they went through simulated combat training, the rifle range, familiarizing themselves with tactics and weaponry, and more close order drill. It kept them sharp mentally, and afforded them good physical conditioning.

Rumors about a conflict in a place called Vietnam began filtering back to the United States, but nobody paid it much attention. Asia was on the other side of the world. Florida was the vacation capital for North America. Life was good for the majority of US citizens in the 1960s.

The assassination of John F Kennedy, November 22, 1963, broke Miss Liberty’s heart. The nation grieved as though struck a mortal blow, while allies and foes alike looked on in disbelief. Hearings were held to get to the bottom of the evil deed, but the Warren Commission withheld part of their findings, believing it more prudent to calm fears rather than stir up additional conspiracy theories. A poplar American president lay dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital in the blue bonnet State of Texas. President Kennedy wanted to end the Vietnam War if elected for a second term, and bring the boys home. That was a fading memory now. Vice President Johnson was administered the oath of office onboard Air Force One. Then the pilot took off from Dallas, Texas, for Washington, DC, with Jackie and the president’s body onboard. Nobody was thinking about Indochina. It was a time for mourning and saying goodbye.

The Beatles landed at the Miami International Airport, February