3 Short Stories: Flea Market; Children of the Sea; Dead Men Do Talk

By Joseph E. Kaufmann

Here are three of my book directed to middle ages. The reason they are short is because My De Hero told me about a book count movie 90 to 125 pg book 3604 hundred pg that is why I started writing short stories like my 4 book black witch judge, and hack man over 400 pg with 2000 more pg written to use.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524502850

Joseph E. Kaufmann

Dr. E. Dale sat with me at the yale club in NY City telling me to get everything out then worry about spelling. Now after I wrote 147 books I’m getting tired.

Book preview

Chapter # 1

The guard open’s the cell gate. Him and what looks like a Priest, walk down the row of cells and stop at number 7. The guard open’s the cell door, letting the Priest in with out saying a word. He locks it once again and walk’s back to his post, sitting at his desk. Over his head reads a sign DEATH ROW. In the cell sits a boy no older the 15 or 16.

Jay, I’m father John, would you mind if I sit?

For what?

Just to have a talk

Talk, for what?

Nothing really, it’s up to you if you want someone to be with you.

No.

No what?

No thanks, I don’t want anyone to talk too.

O.K. Then I’ll just sit here, you don’t have to talk.

Who the fuck do you think you are? Jay asked getting pissed.

I’m the prison Chaplin. Like I said before, my name is Father John.

So what the fuck does that have to do with me?

Nothing, its part of my job, that’s all.

Your job? What the fuck does that mean?"

Nothing really, Lets just say, if you want to talk, I’m here.

Get real ass hole.

Oh and why do you say that?

Nothing, just leave.

I’m sorry, I can’t do that.

"Say what? Jay said with a puzzled look.

You heard me, I can’t do that.

In a pig’s ass you can’t, get the fuck out of my face. Guard, get this ass hole the fuck out of my face.

He can’t. The father said.

He can’t what? Jay asked with a looked.

He can’t make me go. You can’t, I’m the only one that can say I leave.

What the fuck is this? I don’t want you in my face. I don’t want to talk to you, and I don’t have to put up with this shit. Guard, get you’re fucking ass in here.

I’m sorry you feel that way my son.

My son, who the fuck said you are my Father?

No one my Son. It’s just a saying I use. Some find it comforting.

Comforting shit, I killed my father ass hole, or didn’t you know?

I know all about you Son.

Don’t make me laugh, you know nothing about me.

Jay, God forgives.

Oh shit here we go. Look ass hole, I don’t want to hear about this guy, God.

You don’t believe in him? The father asked.

Now I know you’re sick. Look ass hole, I don’t need some ass hole telling me a story.

Story? Is that what you think of God?

Look, story or what ever, I don’t want you here. Do I make myself clear?

No, not really, the father said.

Then maybe this will,

Jay said jumping up from his bunk, going after the father.

The father was quick and stopped Jay from hitting him with a quick grab of Jay’s hand.

Look son, it isn’t going to do you any good to be mad at me. I didn’t do anything to you.

You’re in my face ass hole and I didn’t ask you to be.

O.K. Jay let’s start all over again. You don’t want me here, and I told you I’m the only one that can say if I come or go.

Bull shit.

No, trust me, I don’t lie.

Get the fuck out of here. Jay said sitting back down knowing the father was something other then a Priest. Jay was no fool, even thou he was only 16. He knew when someone was stronger then he was. Call it what ever you want. Jay knew when to Back down and when to Get even. "He wasn’t stupid in that sense.

O.K. so you don’t want to talk, that’s okay, I’ll just sit here.

You do that. Jay said and turned his head to look at the wall.

The father took the chair that he brought with him and sat. He then opened his book and started to read to himself, but you could hear him."

Hold on, what the fuck you doing? Jay yelled.

Nothing. The father said.

Nothing? You’re making a lot of noise doing nothing.

Oh sorry, The father said. You must forgive me; it’s a habit of mine.

Forgive you? What the fuck is wrong with you?

Nothing my son.

Shout the fuck up. Jay said getting ready to come at the father again.

Please Jay, don’t do that.

Do what? Jay asked standing.

I know what you want to do, I can relate to that.

Oh? And what is it you are Relating to ass hole?

Your anger.

Anger, what the fuck does that mean? What do you know about my Anger?

A lot my son, you see I’ve been there.

That got Jay started again. Jay went after him again. This time he almost got a swing in. Almost. The father again stopped him with his hand. He took Jay’s fist and held it so Jay couldn’t use it for what he wanted to do with it.

Son don’t, was all the father said holding on. It isn’t going to do you any good."

I’m not your Son. Stop calling me that.

The father knowing the word son Was the course of Jay getting up set. I’m sorry, it’s my fault. Please forgive me I won’t call you that any more. Please sit.

Jay once again knew that he was no match for the Father. Something wasn’t right about him. The man was strong and quick. He wasn’t what a Priest was supposed to be. So like Jay did all his life, he backed down. Not that he was afraid of him. Hell no, Jay wasn’t afraid of anyone. Not that he know what Fear Was. Jay never knew Fear From anyone, anyone except for his father that is. Jay feared his father at one time in his life.

Look Jay, let’s get one thing straight. I’m here not for you. I’m here because I want to be. I’m here for myself.

And what the fuck does that mean?

Simple, I have a job to do, and right now my job is being here, whether you like it or not.

Says who? Jay asked not really knowing what the hell the Priest was talking about.

Let me say it in another way, I am a Priest, I am a servant of God.

No shit ass hole, what else is new?

Please let me finish. If what I say doesn’t make sense, I’ll leave.

Leave, Jay said. What ever you have to say doesn’t, so don’t waste your breath, you can leave."

No, I haven’t finished. As I was saying, I’m a priest, and being one, I found most people that are here, find talking to someone help’s.

Most. Jay said. I’m not most.

Maybe you are, and again maybe you aren’t. That isn’t up to you to decide. Like I said before I’m the one to decide, not you. So either you hear me out or we play your game. What will it be?

Jay didn’t say a word he took his set again and looked at the wall.

Good, Father John said sitting back down. Now as I was saying most people that come here want to talk, whether it’s to me or God, or who ever. Stop, he said holding up his hand to stop Jay from getting up again. Your not letting me finish?

Jay stopped himself and sat back.

Look, I have all the time in the world; I can play your game for as long as you have. So it’s up to you. You want me out of here, and I don’t want to go. I’m giving you the chance to get me out of here. Now either you listen and behave your self, or we do this till your time is up. What will it be?

Again Jay didn’t say anything; he sat and looked at the wall.

Okay, the father said, let me put it to you in another way. I don’t care what you want. I’m here for me, not you.

You said that, Jay said. So big fucking deal, you get paid for what you do?"

Paid! Yes, you could say that. I get paid for being here.

So, what the fuck does that mean to me? I don’t give a shit.

I do, the father said. My pay isn’t the kind of pay you’re thinking. There are more kinds of pay besides money."

Oh? And what might that be? Jay asked.

Satisfaction. The father said.

Satisfaction, what the fuck is that?

Satisfaction, come on Jay, I know you know the feeling. Hell we all know what satisfaction mean’s.

So, how does that mean Pay? Jay asked.

Inside me, the father said. That is my payment. Inside me is mine, as well as yours."

You’re making no sense, Jay said. Guard get this fucking nut out of here. "Jay yelled knowing he wasn’t going to get him out by himself.

Look you two; I don’t have to put up with this shit. Jay, he doesn’t come out on less he wants to. You have no say so in it. Do I make myself clear! This is the last time I’m saying this, now stop calling me. The guard said looking into the window of the cell door.

I want to see the Warden. Jay said as the guard walked away.

Not even him. The guard said and went out of sight.

See, I’m not lying to you.

Fuck you. Jay said and sat again.

Okay back to me, The father said. Satisfaction is in all of us. Some find it one way, and others find it in other ways. That isn’t the reason of the word. The Feeling is. We all get it one time or another.

He waited for Jay to say something. He didn’t. He kept looking at the wall, as if he didn’t hear him.

Okay good, we understand each other, The father said. Jay, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Satisfaction is what makes life worth living, once you know and understand the meaning. For me, Satisfaction was my whole life. I lived to feel Satisfaction. And I’m still doing it. You see, I really don’t care about you.

That got a look from Jay, not an answer, just a look.

Jay, you see I’m no different then you are, we all are the same inside. It’s our Soul That is all the same.

Soul? Jay said with a laugh.

Yes, that is what I call it. Others may call it something else, but for argument sake, I call it the Soul. My soul is the reason for my Satisfaction. The same with yours.

Your one sick mother. Jay said still looking at the wall.

Yes, you could say that, the father said. My sickness is like anyone’s. I was fooled."

You sure were. Jay said laughing.

Yes, I was, I was fooled into believing that my Soul was mine. But like every one else, it wasn’t, the father said. That is where we all make the mistake. It isn’t ours, it’s the Lords."

Oh shit here we go. Jay said. Look ass hole let me tell you something about me before you waste your pay. I don’t believe in your God, or anyone else’s. You keep saying that shit and I don’t care how strong you are, you’re going to have to kill me to stop me the next time.

Okay. I’m glad you said that, see I didn’t know that. That’s O.K. I know there are a lot of people out there that don’t believe. Hell, I was one of them.

You what? Jay asked again not know what the hell the Priest was saying.

That’s right, I didn’t always believe in God. Hell, I didn’t believe in anything except myself.

So what the fuck you doing here? Jay asked.

Satisfaction, The father said. I saw that all I was and all I did, wasn’t for me."

Make sense ass hole. Jay said.

I’m trying if you give me the chance. The father said.

No don’t, Jay said. You’re a fucking nut."

Maybe, the father said, so be it. Getting back to me, he said, I like you, killed, Jay I like you knew the feeling is to take a life.

Hold the fuck on. Jay said sitting up straight. What the fuck you saying?

You heard me. I killed just like you, maybe not as many as you killed, but I know the feeling just the same.

Now I know your nuts. Guard get this fuck out of here.

What is it Jay? You think you’re the only one that can kill? Or is it this collar and book that surprise you? I killed and like you, and I enjoyed it.

All Jay did was laugh,

What’s so funny, The father asked?

You, Jay said. You’re sitting here and telling me that you killed and you’re not going to jail? Oh, I know, you kill for God, so that’s okay."

No Jay, it isn’t that way. I killed for the Satisfaction of me. I killed because I wanted to. I killed because I wanted something they had. I killed because I wanted to."

Get the fuck out of here will you. Jay said not believing him.

Jay, do you know where you are? The father asked Jay.

I sure do, Jay answered. I’m here on Death Row sitting with a fucking nut."

So am I, Jay, I’m here with you. I’m here on Death Row for murder.

Look, I’ve had enough of this shit. You said what you had to say, now get the fuck out of here.

Chow time, the guard said opening the cell door. Father you staying? "He asked as he slid Jay’s tray of food in.

NO, Jay said going for his food. The Nut is leaving."

Father? The guard asked.

Bring mine here, He said.

No fucking way. Jay said jumping up. I want him out of here.

Look, you two had better knock the shit off, I don’t need this.

I want him out of my cell. Jay said screaming.

He doesn’t want to go, The guard said and closed the door.

Fuck you, Jay said taking his tray and throwing it at the door. Out. "He yelled.

Look Jay calm down, you’re only going to go hungry doing that.

That did it Jay went after the father again. This time he didn’t care how strong he was. That was a big mistake. The father stopped him with two puncher’s one to the stomach and one to the head. The father was fast; Jay didn’t have a chance. Jay went flying into the wall, landing on the floor.

Cut the shit out. The father said, you can’t take me, so don’t even try."

Jay was bleeding from the mouth, and out of winded from the shot in the stomach. He couldn’t move.

Well, I see the two of you are getting along, the guard said. Bring the father his food on a tray. Jay, you can’t Win, and clean up this mess. Was all the guard said as he closed the door to the cell?

The father took the tray, sat down and started to eat the food that was on it. Jay’s food was all over the floor along with Jay.

After the father finished he placed the tray by the door. He started to read from his book once again. He didn’t bother with Jay, who was still sitting where he fell. His breath was coming back and the bleeding stopped.

This Quite went on for about an hour. Jay was the first to make the move. He got to his feet and went over to his bunk and sat. The father didn’t take his eye’s off his book.

Okay so you’re bad, Jay said finely, don’t turn your back on me.

What does that mean? The father asked, not really caring what it meant.

Just watch your self. Jay said.

With that the both of them went back to what they were doing, Jay looking at the wall and the father reading from his book.

Once again the father started reading out loud.

Stop it. Jay yelled.

Sorry, The father said and went back to reading to himself. Again silence went on for thirty minute’s.

Okay. Jay finely said. So your bad, why you doing this to me?

I’m not, like I said. It’s for me.

Okay so it’s for you, how much longer are you going to be doing it for you?

How much longer do you have? He asked Jay.

Hold on, you mean to tell me your going to be here till it’s my time to go?

If I choose to, He said and went back to reading.

The guard came back to collect the food tray’s.

I want him out of here, Jay said getting into the guards face.

The guard was this big, I mean really big black guy. He was the kind no one would get in the face to.

Look Jay, don’t make it any harder then you have to. Sit down and let the father do what he has to do and don’t do anything stupid.

Stupid! This is stupid, I don’t want him here he’s a fucking nut.

That he is, the guard said looking over at the father. That he is."

He said he killed someone, Jay got out. Knowing he’d get the father in a lie."

He did, the guard said. Not as many as you did. Isn’t that right Father? The guard said laughing. Infect the father was in this same cell five year’s ago.

What the fuck was going on here? Was this their way of fucking with Jay’s head?

Didn’t you tell him, The guard said to the father?

I tried to, He said looking over at Jay.

Believe him, the guard said, he’s just like you. Or he was. Now he is doing life and you have Ten days. He took the tray’s picking up Jay’s food and left.

Once again neither one talked. Once again it was Jay that spoke first.

How the hell did you get here? He asked.

I killed, the father said. The same as you."

No fucking way, you’re fucking with me?

No Jay I’m not. I killed and like you, I enjoyed it.

No fucking way, Jay said.

Oh and why you say that?

You’re a Priest.

So, I’m human, or haven’t you noticed?

How can a Priest be a killer?

I don’t know, you tell me.

Tell you what? Jay asked not knowing what was going on.

Tell me how anyone can be a killer. How did you kill?

I killed because I wanted to. Jay said.

So did I, the father said. Like I said, I’m no different then you are."

Cut the shit, you couldn’t kill anyone.

Thanks, the father said. I wish it was true.

Who did you kill? God? Jay asked.

No, I killed humans, just like you.

Oh, I know, you killed people by accident. You are one of them guy’s that crashed into a car and killed the other people.

No, it wasn’t that easy. The father said. I wish it was that easy. No Jay, I killed them with my hands and like you, I got caught.

I didn’t get caught. I gave myself up. They didn’t catch me. They would have never caught me. Jay said.

Maybe not, maybe you would be still out there doing your thing. What made you stop? He asked.

Jay looked over at him and asked. What made you stop?

To tell you the truth, I really don’t know. The father said.

What do you mean? You don’t know?

That is what I said, I really don’t know.

You saw God, Jay said laughing, and he made you stop.

No, I saw God before I stopped killing.

Wait, I know who you are. You’re the guy that killed the old people in the hospital.

No, that isn’t me. I didn’t kill any old people.

So who did you kill?

People that got in my way, He said. Just like you.

How did you know I killed people that got in my way?

I’m guessing, he said. Is it true?"

Maybe, Jay said. What about you?"

Do you really want to hear about me?

No, not really. Jay said and went back looking at the wall.

Again Jay was the one that started talking. Yeah, I do, tell me.

Do you want to hear all of it?

Yeah, Jay said. What the hell, he wasn’t going to leave, might as well kill some time.

It all started when I was growing up. I lived in Forester home’s all my life. I learned to fight for what I wanted. It was either that or let them take what ever I had. Growing up with out parents was hard enough. I knew I couldn’t change that. Having things taken from you because the other guy was bigger, was something I could change. I started fighting as far back as I could remember.

What made you start? Jay asked.

I started fighting back when I started getting Raped. Did you ever get Raped? "He asked Jay.

No Jay said, not really answering him.

Well I did, and I didn’t like it.

So that is who you killed?

One of them, the father said. I was in this Home, I was around eight, I think. It was a Home for the boy’s. I wasn’t there two hours before I was Raped In the shower."

Didn’t any one stop it?

You kidding, the one’s that were there to stop it were the ones that were doing it. At first I went along with it. It seemed every one was doing it. All the boy’s and the adult’s were doing it and no one minded. It was as if that is what you had to do to live there.

So why did you kill?

Why? Because I didn’t like someone taking something of mine."

It wasn’t because of the Rape? "Jay asked puzzled.

No, like I said, I didn’t know any better. It was either let them do what they wanted to me, or get placed into another Home. That I learned real fast. Do what they say and you don’t get into trouble.

So who did you kill?

This kid that took something from me.

What was it?

I don’t remember, it was a long time ago. Who did you kill? The father asked Jay.

A lot of people. Jay said.

How many? The father asked.

Could be fifty or more.

Fifty? The Priest asked surprised. Not really knowing how many people Jay killed."

Could be more, I don’t recall how many.

How the hell could you kill that many people and not know?

Easy, did you ever go to a Flea market?

A couple of times. What does that have to do with killing someone?

Did you buy or sell?

Buy, The father said.

I sold, my whole family sold.

So what did that have to do with you killing people?

My father.

Your father made you kill?

At first he didn’t.

How you’re the one not making any sense, The father said.

No, I guess it doesn’t, now that I think about it. I guess I was the one that started it. All my parents wanted me to do was Take. Flea Market after Flea Market.

Take what? The father asked.

Take anything we liked.

Isn’t that what a Flea market does? You buy it and try to get it as cheep as you can?

That is for the people that come to Buy. For people that come to sell, it’s different.

You telling me that people that come to sell, kill?

No, from what I know, I was the only one that killed. Maybe there are more out there like me, I don’t know and I don’t care.

Didn’t your parents stop you?

You kidding? They didn’t know at first, and if they did, I don’t think they would have said anything."

You mean to tell me your mother and father let you kill?

No, I didn’t say that. It’s hard to explain what life was like.

Tell me, The father said."

I grow up living in the back of a Station wagon, I was born in one. My parents were Flea market people. We went from Flea market to Flea market. From state to state."

Where did you live? The father asked.

In the Station wagon, didn’t you hear me?"

No, I mean where did you call home?

The Station Wagon and later on a Van. That was all I called home."

You couldn’t just live in a car?

Why not? Jay asked. We did it."

How did you live?

In the Wagon."

No, I mean where did you sleep, eat and bath?

In the Wagon, are you stupid? "Jay asked.

No, I just can’t see living like that.

I can’t seeing living the way you did.

You’re right, neither could I, The father said. Go On, I’m sorry."

No forget it, your to stupid to talk to. Jay said looking back at the wall.

Look, I said I was sorry, I didn’t mean the way it sounded.

Oh, and how did it sound? Jay asked.

Crazy, the father said. But like the way I lived, who was I to judge."

Your right there, Jay said. My father always said. The person that is doing the Judging, Aren’t the one’s to judge.

Your father sounded like a wise man.

No, he read a lot. He said that was all that life gave him for free.

What did your father do for a living? The father asked.

Shit, you are stupid, didn’t I just get finished telling you what he did.

Flea Market’s, all his life? The father asked.

No, he was in the Marines.

See, that is what I mean, he didn’t do Flea markets all his life.

So big deal, what does that have to do with me?

Nothing, I just wanted to know. I didn’t have a father, the Priest said. I always ask that question."

It’s a stupid one, Jay said.

Yeah, maybe it is, the father said. So how did you end up killing?"

I did it by myself.

I know, you said that. Why? Is what I mean.

Why? It made it easy, that’s why."

It made what easy?

Taking things. Jay said.

Oh, I see, you killed every one you wanted something from?

No, it wasn’t like that. I did what I had to do.

Kill? The father asked.

Fuck you ass hole, Jay said getting pissed off. Why the fuck am I even talking to you? "Jay went back to looking at the wall.

This time it was the father that spoke first; after they were quite for awhile.

Jay, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to push. Look if you said you did what you had to do, I could relate to that. I did what I had to do.

Don’t bother me, Jay said.

No really, I killed because I did what I had to do.

So why you acting so stupid? Jay asked.

I don’t know, the father said.

Can’t you leave me alone, Jay said looking at the wall.

No, like I said. It’s for me.

Stop saying that. This isn’t for you.

Your wrong there Jay, it is for me.

How the hell could it be? Jay yelled.

To tell you the truth, I really don’t know. All I know is; I have to be here and I’m not going to leave.

Why? Jay asked.

To tell you the truth, I don’t want what happened before, happen again.

You mean you don’t want to kill?

NO, that isn’t what I mean. Four year’s ago I was sent here to talk to a guy just like you. He killed some people and was going to die. I came as a Priest to hear his Confession. You know, give him his Last Right’s thing?

Get the fuck out of here, who are you to be saying that? Jay said laughing.

No really, as strange as it may seem. I do work for the Lord.

Cut the shit, who the fuck do you think you are?

Nobody, the father said. I just know what I can do."

And what is that? Ass hole.

I spread the word of God. The father said.

Fuck you, and fuck your God. Jay said getting pissed again.

Oh, and what do you know about God?

Everything, Jay said, my father told me all about him.

Good, what did he tell you?

He told me who he was, and what he was, an Ass Hole just like the rest of the people that believed in him.

That’s a start, at least you heard of him.

Don’t make fun of me, Jay said. My father told me all about people like you."

Like me? A Priest? The father asked.

Yeah, like you Ass hole. Priest, father’s, Nun’s, church, all of you ass hole’s.

It seems your father didn’t like us? Did he say why?

He didn’t have to, he showed me why.

Oh and how was that?

Come on ass hole, you know why?

No really, I don’t, tell me.

He showed me. He took me and showed me.

What did he show you?

He showed me what your kind do behind Closed doors. He showed me what went on when no one was looking.

What was that?

Sex, Jay said. You know what it was. You and your kind are Dirty.

That could be, we all have Faults, but what is it you saw?"

One day we were at this Flea market some church was giving. The Priest like you came up to us and told us we had to leave. My father got into fight with him because he paid for the spot and the father told him he couldn’t stay the night."

So that was no reason for Sex."

No, but my father showed me. The Flea market was going for two day’s and when we know the market was running for two day’s. We’d set up for the two day’s. We sleep in the van and coverer everything. This way we didn’t have to pack and unpack. We paid for the spot for two days and that is what we paid for, Two day’s. The Priest called the cops and made us move. My father wanted his money back, but the cop’s told him he couldn’t have it. That night my father took me back to the church to see what we could steal to get our money’s worth. That was when he showed me. The Church, school and house where the Priest and Nun’s lived. My father showed me what they did behind closed door. Sex, they all were having Sex Together. You can’t fool me I saw them. Priests are just as Sick as the rest of us.

Jay I don’t know what you saw, but what ever it was, there is good and bad in all of us. Priest are only human.

No, I don’t want to hear that, Jay said, you’re all two faced. Who are you to judge? My father always said that. People who judge others should be clean."

He’s right there. I can see what he meant. Look at me, I’m not clean.

See, that is what I mean. Who are you to tell me? Who are you to Judge? Just because they were Priest, the cop’s took their side. No, that isn’t the way.

Again, I can’t argue with you.

So what are you staying? Jay asked. Get the fuck out of my face and leave me alone.

I can’t, like I said this man like you didn’t want me to be here. He hated me as much as you hate me. He hated God more then you hated God. He didn’t want anything to do with me.

So what did you do?

I left; I didn’t want to hear him.

So why aren’t you leaving now? Jay asked.

Because when I did, I knew I was doing the wrong thing. I knew deep down inside, this man wanted Forgiveness, but I left him to be by himself."

So you fucked up, Jay said.

Yes, you can say that. I fucked up big time and now I’m paying for it.

How’s that?

I see him in my dream’s every night I close my eye’s.

So what is the big deal?

The big deal is, I let him down.

Why? Jay asked almost laughing.

Why? Because when this big bad man was getting strapped in the chair, he asked me for Forgiveness and I couldn’t give it to him.

Why not?

Because before I could, he was dead. They wouldn’t stop to let me give him his, Last Rights."

So, mail it to him.

It wasn’t funny, the man wanted Forgiveness and I couldn’t give it to him."

So big deal, you didn’t give it to him. He’s dead now, so what difference did it make?

You fool; don’t you know anything about the Church? Father John yelled. The man’s Soul Is going to hell, that is the difference."

Come on, get real, both you and I know that is a bunch of Shit. You die you get buried in the mud and that is where you stay. No heaven, no Hell, just the ground.

You fool, the father said going after Jay. He grabbed him by the neck and pulled him off the bunk. That isn’t true, your Soul goes, not your body. Damn you, can’t you understand? It’s your Soul That belongs to God.

Get your hands off me ass hole. Jay said trying to pull from him. Guard get this mad man away from me.

The father stopped and looked into Jay’s eyes and said Forgive me father for I have sinned, and let Jay go.

So that’s it? Jay said. Forgive me, and it’s all taken care of?

No damn you, it isn’t that easy.

Look father, our what ever you are. I promise I won’t ask for Forgiveness. Now get the fuck away from me.

No, father John said going back to his book.

Again they both didn’t say anything for an hour. It was the guard coming in again with dinner. You staying? He asked the father.

Yes. Was all he said?

Good, Jay said. I’m leaving. "He started to get up and walk out of his cell.

Where do you think your going? The guard said grabbing Jay by the arm.

If he stays, I go.

No it doesn’t work that way my friend. You stay and he goes.

So, make him go, I’m not going to listen to his shit. Call the Warden and tell him I want to die now.

Can’t, was all he said and left the tray’s and locked the door.

"This is fucked up; Jay said taking his tray, he sat and eat. The father was the one that didn’t eat this time. Jay looked over at his tray and with out asking, took it. He wanted to see what the father would do. He was hoping he’d get mad, but he didn’t. Jay sat and eat both tray’s, with out the father even looking up at him.

Boy that was good, Jay said throwing the tray by the door. To bad you can’t stay the night. "Jay said knowing light’s out was coming soon.

Again neither one of them said anything. Jay looking at the wall and the father reading from his book.

Once again the guard came in and took the trays.

"It’s out side; the guard said opening the door and showing him. The cell was too small for it to fit so he left it out side.

Thanks, the father said, for bring me a cot to sleep on.

Jay knew what that meant; the son of a bitch was going to stay the night.

No fucking way, I’ll kill him, Jay said jumping up.

The guard took hold of him and slammed him against the wall. Look, I told you to knock it off, now do I have to put a beating on you?

No Jimmy, leave him a lone, forgive him for he knows not what he does.

Who the fuck do you think you are, I know what I’m doing. I’m getting the fuck away from you. Jay said pushing the guard’s hand away.

"You can’t, the guard said and closed the gate.

This is shit; you can’t do this to me.

Jay please sit. The father said.

Fuck you, don’t say a word.

Again they both sat.

The father started this time.

Jay did you ever feel sorry for the people you killed?

What the fuck you talking about?

You know, the people you killed.

No, was all Jay said.

I did, the father said.

So big deal, what do you want me to do? Cry."

No, I’m just asking. Not even your family?

What the fuck does it matter to you how I felt?

No reason, I just want to know. Maybe you’re right about me. Who am I to be a Priest?"

How you’re talking, who are you? Jay asked.

"Nobody, the father said and went back to his book. Again no one talked.

Jay was the one to start. My sister was the only one I felt sorry for. I killed my sister.

So why did you? The father asked.

She asked me too.

God, she did what?

She asked me too.

And you did it?

I had to; I couldn’t see her hurting any more.

Hurt? What was wrong with her?

She didn’t want to live any more.

So you killed her, what did your parents say?

Nothing, they knew I killed her because of them.

Hold on, you’re losing me. Why? "Was all he could ask?

I loved her, I loved her so much. Jay said.

God man, how could you kill your sister?

Easy, when my sister was born, my father didn’t want her. My mother fought with him every night over her. My mother won only because she told my father I was getting to old to Steal. People trusted young kids. She told him we needed her to Distract."

Distract?

Yeah, you know, me and my mother would go around to the tables before the market opened. My mother would point to something on the persons table that was good, and I’d steal it.

Didn’t they catch you?

No, the people who had the tables didn’t know what they had. Most of them were there to get rid of junk. Most people don’t know what they had.

So why didn’t you just buy it?

You kidding? My father would beat the shit out of us if we bought anything."

What about food? You had to buy food."

You kidding, we never bought food at the Market. I’d stand by the Food Stand and Cry. You know how many people would stop and buy me food once I told them I lost the money and my father would kill me if I didn’t bring back the food? Hell I got more people buying me food then we could eat. We stocked up enough food to last us till the next place we went to."

How long was that?

Three or four days at the most. My father had his Bible too."

Oh? Is that why you don’t believe?"

No, his bible as he called it was the Listing of all the Flea Market’s all over the country; he knew month’s in advance where we were going. He would Map out all the good ones. South in the winter and North in the summer; he would only head for the big ones. The small ones he said was too easy to get caught. You said you went to a couple. Where? "Jay asked.

English Town, did you ever hear of that one?

Yeah, that was a good one. Did you walk through the whole thing?

You crazy? It went for miles.

Jay laugh, that is the kind of Market I’m talking about. English Town was a small one compared to some of the ones we went to."

You got to be kidding.

No, you should see some of them.

Didn’t your father make any money?

You kidding he always made money. One time I stole a ring, my father got ten grand for it. Another time I stole something Washington made. He got fifty grand for that.

What the hell did he do with that kind of money?

I don’t know, he never told us, all he said about money was, Don’t spend any. That is how I grow up, not spending, stealing.

Why your sister? The father asked."

My father would Sell us, and my sister couldn’t take it."

How could your father Sell you? It’s against the law to do that.

What law? We didn’t have any law."

Didn’t any one stop him?

For what?

Selling your sister.

Hell no, who gave a shit? And even if they did, we’d be long gone by the time the cop’s came. My father always got out of there before they came.

"How much did your father get for her? The father asked not really knowing what Jay meant.

Some times two hundred dollar’s. Most of the time my father would get what ever he could for us.

He sold you too?

All the time, we’d go off with the people and they would have Sex with us. Then we’d come back. Some times we’d have Sex four or five times a week end, with old people."

Hold on, your saying your mother and father would give you to these people to have Sex for money?"

No, not my mother, my mother didn’t want anything to do with it. It was my father’s doing. My father would go around looking for people he could trust and came back and get us. Some times both me and my sister would go. For that, he’d get Four hundred some times."

Jay, this is sick, does anyone know this was going on?

No, who would care if they did?

God Jay, that isn’t right.

I know that, Jay said, but I had to do it. If I didn’t, I didn’t get to eat. My father would hide me in the Box and drive for days with out letting me out. No, I couldn’t stand being in the box. He did that to me twice. No way was I going to cross him."

What about your sister?

No, I wouldn’t let him do it to her. Me and my sister talked a lot. I told her what he did. No, I didn’t want that to happen to her. Being in the box wasn’t fun.

How long did this go one? The father asked."

All my life, like I said.

And your mother didn’t stop him?

You kidding, she knew better, he’d beat the shit out of her if she opened her mouth.

So why did you kill her?

I told you, she wanted me to.

You’re sick, the father said.

Me, what about you? Who did you kill?"

Go to sleep, the guard said banging on the cell door. The father went out and curled up on the cot. Jay looked at him waiting for his answer. The father didn’t give it.

Chapter # 2

Day Two

The guard came with their breakfast; the father went into the empty cell next to Jay and cleaned himself."

You going in, the guard asked the father?

Yeah, in a minute, the father got down and started to pray in the hallway.

It’s that bad? The guard asked opening Jay’s cell.

Father John didn’t answer.

Let me know when you want to go, He said to him and closed him in.

Jay was still in bed not asleep just laying there.

So who did you kill? Jay asked.

Jay, can I ask you something?

No, Jay said going for his food. Not on till you tell me who you killed."

Jay, did you have a lawyer?

What the fuck does that have to do with me?

Did the judge know what your father did to you?

Fuck no, I didn’t tell him.

Why not?

You know you’re still an ass hole, why the fuck should I?

I don’t know, maybe he would have went easier on you.

For what ass hole, I killed a lot of people, I want to die.

Maybe it wasn’t your fault.

Now I know you’re crazy. Ass hole I killed them and I knew I was doing it."

Why so many?

Like my mother said, I was getting to old. People didn’t trust me, so I had to get things in different way.

So you killed?

No, I don’t see it that way; I did what I had to do.

When was the first time you killed, how old were you?

"Seven, Jay said going over to the father’s food, knowing he wasn’t going to eat it.

Seven, and no one stopped you?

Hell no, To this day I wouldn’t of been caught if I didn’t turn myself in.

Someone would have caught you.

No, they weren’t smart enough to.

Why did you stop?

Why did you? Jay asked."

Because I saw the wrong I was doing.

Jay laughs and said. You saw God?"

Yes, the father said jumping up and grabbing Jay by the head and slamming it against the wall. Yes, I saw God, now Repent damn you. The father said banging Jays head against the wall, time and time Again.

Jay wasn’t a small boy. At the age of 16 he was bigger then most kid’s his age. Between him fighting off the father and the guards coming in, they stopped him."

Holy shit father, what the hell is wrong with you?

The guard looked at Jay and then took the father out of the cell. You crazy, you can’t go doing that.

The father’s answer was, He has to be Forgiven. The Lord Forgives all."

I know father, but that is up to him, not you.

Out they went."

Jay sat back down and smiled, the father was gone. Now maybe he could get some rest.

That was a laugh, the door opened and in came the Priest an hour later with the guard."

O.K. you two, this is the last time. No fighting or your out of here, he said to the father, I don’t care what the Warden said."

Once again the father was inside Jay’s cell."

I don’t believe this, what the fuck you doing back here?

Jay, I’m sorry for what I did, it isn’t your fault.

What isn’t my fault?

The killings, you didn’t know any better. Look at you, you’re only a kid. God man you didn’t know right from wrong.

So what the fuck does that have to do with me?

Everything my son.

Don’t start that shit again. I told you I’m