Taming the Wind

By C. D. Roberts

The saga continues for Jesse Lee and Darrell Moore as they encounter more problems with Jesses half sister and her significant other. When Jesse and Darrell thought everything was right with the world, the dynamic duo proved them wrong. But all ends well with the birth of their twins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 28, 2010
• ISBN: 9781453580462

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

On a poorly lit street corner in the worst part of Chicago, three teenaged males stood beneath the only functioning street lamp in a three-block area. One of the young men, Jeff Tamouchi, an Italian American who stood about six feet two, was holding onto a pistol. The second youth, Jerrold Maroshi, although slightly shorter than Jeff, was looking on. Jeff handed a gun to Kelly Kimble, Jesse Moore’s nephew.

All you have to do is aim it at the next person to come around a corner, Jeff was saying. Just remember; in order to pass this portion of the test, you have to aim to kill. Then you’ll be a part of us forever, bro.

Just then, she appeared around the next corner down from where the three young men stood. Jesse slowly walked down the middle of the street as she made her way toward the trio. Tapping her forehead with her finger and looking Kelly straight in the eye she said, Right here, dude! One shot’s all it’s gonna take. Then you’ll be part of the gang that you cherish more than you obviously do me.

I can’t do that, Aunt Jesse, said Kelly. I love you too much to . . .

No, you don’t; not if it means more to you to join this gang than it does to call me and talk things out, she practically shouted, speaking louder than she intended.

Aunt Jesse, I can’t live there any more, he responded, almost whining as he said it.

By this time, Jesse was standing almost toe to toe with her nephew. The other two youths had taken a step or two backwards in order to avoid possibly getting punched by what they thought was an aunt who was walking around with a few sandwiches short of a full picnic.

Hand over the gun, dude, and we’ll walk away from this and discuss the home situation over a pizza, she said in a much softer tone. What do you think? Think we can manage to hash this out over a pepperoni pizza like we always do?

As Kelly started to hand over the pistol to his aunt, Jeff reached out to retrieve it before Jess could get it, but Jesse was faster at the draw.

Oh, wrong move, dude, she said as she grabbed hold of the pistol and wrenched it out of Kelly’s hand. You’re not going to get the chance to grab this baby and kill someone with it so you can pin the blame on my nephew.

Just then, three burly Chicago policemen came around the corner from behind the boys and, as they began to strep up to them, the boys heard them and started to run away. They weren’t fast enough; the police caught them before they could get very far and placed handcuffs on them.

The police sergeant, Gerald Baxter, stepped up to join Jesse and Kelly as had Jesse’s husband, Darrell. Sgt. Baxter was shaking his head as he stepped up to the threesome.

You look a bit perplexed, Sarge, said Jesse. What’s the matter?

It just amazes me that it seems you knew that Kelly wouldn’t shoot you, he answered. But how could you know that?

Well, you see, it’s like this, she began. Kelly and I have a special type of bond between us. It’s based a lot on our love and respect for each other; but it’s also based on our trust of each other.

You’re an amazing lady, I have to say, said Sgt. Baxter. You’re two lucky guys to have her in your lives.

You got that right, Sarge, Darrell said, grinning. I knew she was a lady the first time I met her.

And I was just plain born lucky to have her for an aunt, chimed in Kelly.

Well, now that you mention it, son, Darrell continued, We were both born lucky to have her, weren’t we?

Yeah! Kelly agreed.

It’s bum luck if you ask me, said Donald. Having an aunt who was in prison is no prize.

Kelly’s parents, Donald and Sarah Kimble, had stepped up to join the group as had Sarah’s parents, Jake and Rita Parker, and Jesse’s priest, Fr. Frank Davis.

When are you ever going to grow up, Donald? asked Darrell. You’re going to hold her prison stint over her head for the rest of her life? Need I remind you that she was completely exonerated of all charges? And need I also remind you that your sister, Beverly, is no saint?

Don’t get smart with me, Darrell, said Donald. I know what my family is like. I also know I don’t want my son spending time with an ex-con. He’s a very impressionable young man. He doesn’t need to learn that just because she was found innocent of all charges that it wipes the slate clean. She still did time.

Okay, enough, Fr. Davis chimed in. You’re wrong, Donald, in the fact that once a person has been forgiven of the charges for which he or she was accused, the matter is null and void. Jesse shouldn’t have had to spend on day in prison because of the evildoings of your other sister’s actions.

Fr. Davis, with all due respect, stay out of this, said Jake. I happen to agree with my son-in-law. My grandson doesn’t need to be influenced by Jesse.

You and your son-in-law need to get better oriented to what’s right and what’s wrong here, Sgt. Baxter intervened. If it weren’t for Jesse, Kelly would have joined the gang and, worse yet, would eventually have probably gone to prison for murder. Would you want that for Kelly? And furthermore he wasn’t going to join the gang because he was influenced by anything Mrs. Moore said or did; but there’s still a chance he would have gone to prison if he had gone through with the initiation. If you’re so concerned about Kelly’s welfare, it seems to me that it would behoove all of you to stop and think about what just happened here.

I don’t need to stop and think about what happened, Donald said as his voice became louder. I saw what happened. There’s no need to think about it any further.

Donald, please try to show some respect here, Fr. Davis interjected. This isn’t helping the situation by berating your sister in front of . . .

I know what I’m doing, Father, Donald said. As for her being my sister, I don’t know anyone who would want to admit to being related to a jailbird.

Now that was a real mature statement, said Darrell. As for her being her brother, you’re the one that’s no prize. And don’t even think about starting on me being a police office because you’re already looking at a possible lawsuit by your statements. Start on me and I’ll make sure a lawsuit ensues. Do you really want that?

How dare you threaten my son-in-law, said Jake. He’s here to protect my grandson.

He didn’t do the job too well if he allowed his son to get involved with a gang to the point that he was almost fully initiated, said Sgt. Baxter. It just so happens that Mrs. Moore was the one who contacted me to help her diffuse the situation. Where was Mr. Kimble then? Seems to me that he and his wife should have been the ones taking care of diffusing the situation before it got to this point.

I don’t need any sass from you, Sgt., said Donald. What kind of police force do we have in this country that allows . . .

Hold it right there, Mr. Hot Shot, said Jesse. If parents would instruct their children and spend quality time with them, things like this wouldn’t happen. Then the police wouldn’t have to become involved. This isn’t getting us anywhere. I don’t know about anyone else, but I refuse to stand here debating this in the middle of a deserted street in the middle of winter. Sgt. Baxter, are we through here for now?

Yes, we are, he answered. But I will need to get a statement from both you and Kelly at your earliest convenience.

My son won’t be coming to the police station where there’s all sorts of criminals and malcontents . . . Donald started.

Son, if you want the streets cleaned up of gangs, then Kelly will have to do his part of the process, said Fr. Davis. Besides this could also be quite an education for him. He’s an intelligent young man. I don’t think going to the police station will have as negative an effect on him as you think. After all, don’t you want your son to do his civic duty?

Okay, father, Sarah said. You’ve made your point. Sgt. Baxter, we’ll make certain our son is there tomorrow morning.

I want Aunt Jesse to take me, Mom, Kelly spoke up.

You’ll be going with us to the police station, Donald said. You’ve spent way too much time already with your aunt.

I don’t know what you’ve got against your sister and it’s none of my business, Sgt. Baxter chimed in. But I’m going to have to speak to her as well. So it would be best if you set aside your differences for now and let Mrs. Moore bring the young man in so they can both be interviewed at the same time.

You’re right about one thing; it isn’t any of your business, Sgt. We’ll be bringing our son in, answered Donald. My sister can come in on her own. We’ll see you tomorrow morning at 9:00 at the station.

Sgt., I’d appreciate it if you’d just call me Jesse. It makes me nervous when people call me ‘Mrs.’. In the meantime, I’d like to treat my nephew to a pepperoni pizza, said Jesse. I think he deserves it after what he’s been through this evening.

Not a chance, Donald started. He’s not going to . . .

Oh, lighten up, Donald, said Fr. Davis. It’s not going to hurt for Kelly to spend a few hours with his Aunt Jesse and Uncle Darrell. After all, I could use a bite to eat and pizza would hit the spot, if you don’t mind my inviting myself, Jesse.

Are you kidding? asked Jesse. It would be an honor and a pleasure to have such fine company. What do you think, Kelly? Suppose we can tolerate Fr. Davis?

Do you really have to ask? he responded laughingly.

We’ll return Kelly home as soon as we’ve finished eating, said Darrell. The foursome made their way to the Moore’s vehicle and headed to the pizza parlor.

CHAPTER TWO

The next morning, Jesse and Darrell arrived at the police station so that Jesse could give her statement. They were the first to arrive and chose to wait in the lobby for Kelly and his parents to sup up. Jesse wanted to see her nephew again before leaving Chicago.

When Kelly and his parents arrived, Donald and Sarah snubbed Jesse and Darrell and attempted to direct their son’s attention away from Jesse. Sgt. Baxter happened to stroll into the lobby when the Kimbles were entering the building. He stepped up to Kelly, placing his hand on Kelly’s shoulder, turning him away from his parents. The two walked towards Jesse and Darrell.

Hi, Kelly, he said as they were walking. I’m glad to see you. I know you’d like to talk to your Aunt Jesse; so how about if we just do that little number? What do you think?

I don’t want my son . . . started Donald.

With all due respect, sir, Sgt. Baxter interrupted, but you’re on MY turf now. What I say goes. And if you insist on making an issue out of this, I’ll place you under temporary restraining order. Understand?

You can’t do that, Donald retorted. That’s my son.

How unfortunate for Kelly, the sergeant responded. "Again, with all due respect which, at this point, there isn’t much respect due you, I CAN do that because, as I said, you’re on my turf now! Come on, Jesse and Kelly. Let’s go into a conference room and get things under way. The rest of you