Gus

By Albert Dixon

This story was an idea that started years ago when my twin boys spent the summer with their grandmother in North Carolina. Listening to their stories and adding my adventures in Chicago, I came up with the story of a young boy raised by a single parent as my brother and I were. With gangs very prominent in our lives, we were shipped off to Michigan. Combining all this, I created my composite of Bobby. As for Gus, he was created to be a catalysis to provide Bobby with a path, and being a goose, he would be the most unusual messenger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641383516

Book preview

cover.jpg

Gus

Albert Dixon

Copyright © 2018 Albert Dixon

All rights reserved

First Edition

Page Publishing, Inc

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018

ISBN 978-1-64138-350-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64138-351-6 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Chapter I

Bobby sat staring out the train window as the B&O train eased out of Chicago’s Union Station. It was too dark to see anything, but he could imagine and see in his mind’s eye all the places he had gone to and played in. The muted rumbling of the wheels of the train along with the slight swaying of the car soon put him to sleep. He had been trying to figure out why his mother had decided to leave in the middle of the night just as sleep overcame him.

A gentle pushing brought him awake. He slowly opened his eyes, sat up, and looked around. At first he didn’t know where he was, his head still groggy with sleep. It came to him in the swaying and clacking sounds that he was on a train. He looked out the window and saw fields of corn. He watched other fields and farms pass by his window. Realization filled his head. He was leaving the only place he had ever known and going to a place he knew nothing about. Tears filled his eyes as he watched unfamiliar scenes pass before him and that he was moving farther and farther from Chicago.

Where are we? he whispered, trying to hold back the tears.

His mother handed him a piece of chicken. We are getting close to a city in Pennsylvania called Pittsburg.

Is that where we get off?

No, sweetheart. We have to get off in Washington DC. We should be there sometime early tomorrow evening.

Bobby sat eating the chicken slowly, but not tasting it. He was trying to understand why everything had happened so fast—his mother quitting her two jobs, selling their furniture, packing and leaving in such hurry that he didn’t have time to tell anyone goodbye. Now he felt lost, and the farther they moved away from Chicago, the harder it was to accept this move. He missed running the familiar streets of his neighborhood and being with the Pee Wee gang. The leader, Pee Wee, had taken the place of his father because his real father was in prison for arson and drug-related charges. Pee Wee was the only man that had taken any interest in him. They would go to Washington Park where the gang leader and his gang would play softball. Bobby would come home stuffed with Cracker Jacks, hot dogs, and ice cream bars. Sometimes Pee Wee would even let him tag along when he had business on Forty-Seventh Street. If the business took longer than expected, he would give Bobby some money, telling him to go to a movie or something.

Maybe a good movie is playing at the Regal. But don’t go wandering off somewhere where I can’t find ya. He’d punch Bobby playfully in his arm and smile, the gold tooth catching the light. If I ain’t around by seven, you catch the streetcar home.

Okay, Pee Wee.

Bobby would walk the streets like a little peacock, daring anyone to mess with him. Everyone knew that the Pee Wee gang had taken him under their protective wing, and Bobby took advantage of that, especially in school. He became a bully in his neighborhood.

Bobby! his mother called from the kitchen. Come here. I want to talk to you.

Minutes passed, and Bobby hadn’t appeared. Martha stopped preparing breakfast and slammed the spoon on the table. Bobby! she shouted. Get in here now.

Bobby appeared in the doorway looking as if he had just awakened.

I was asleep.

Do you plan to go to school today?

Aw, Momma. He yawned. What can school do for me? Besides, I don’t need to be round them damn losers no how.

The sound of her hand against his cheek was quick and sounded loud in the small kitchen. The impact spun Bobby back into the hallway where he landed in a heap against the wall. He sat holding a hand to his cheek. Pain filled his face as the tears started filling his eyes.

Martha wished to God that she hadn’t hit him, but everything happened so fast she didn’t have time to think. She stood for a moment looking at her hand, realizing how hard she had slapped him. Her hand shook, and she felt weak in her legs. She sat down at the table and gripped the edge to stop her hands from shaking.

Bobby’s groan snapped her out of her thoughts. She knew that now she couldn’t back down. She stepped into the hall and saw her son leaning against the wall. Tears filled his eyes. Martha stood in front of him, mustering all her courage to stay tough.

Don’t ever tell me you don’t want to go to school or swear in front of me again. Your dumb father felt the same way. Look where he wound up. Serving time for arson and drugs, because he thought school was for sissies and all he needed was the streets. You want to wind up like him or that hoodlum Pee Wee? Not able to read or write past a third-grade level?

Bobby couldn’t look at his mother. No, he whimpered.

Martha reached now, pulling him roughly to his feet. You listen, Bobby, and you listen well. You are not to hang around that gang anymore. You will go to school, come straight home. You will study and have your homework completed so I can check it when I get home. You understand me? Bobby stood sniffing to hold back his tears, looking at the floor. Martha shook him. You understand?

Yes-yes, Momma, I understand.

She released him and pushed him toward the bathroom. Now get yourself cleaned up and get ready for school. Breakfast is almost ready.

She waited until the bathroom door had closed before she moved. She returned to the kitchen and slumped into a chair, staring at the cold cup of coffee. Suddenly she began to cry, placing her face into her hands.

Oh, Lord! I didn’t mean to hurt my son, but he’s all I have, she sobbed. Help me, Father, please, I beg of you. Help me to be strong. You know how I wanted to pick him up and hold him till he stopped crying and soothed the pain I caused. What am I to—?

She heard the bathroom door open and close. Quickly wiping her eyes, she hurried to finish getting breakfast.

Bobby did as his mother had told him, but some days when he didn’t have homework, he would sneak out and hang with Pee Wee and the gang. He made sure that he was home long before his mother by sneaking into their apartment using the fire escape.

This continued through the rest of the school year. Bobby managed to graduate into the seventh grade. His mother was so proud of him that she took him downtown to dinner.

He liked to go downtown. He never got enough of looking at the tall buildings, especially the department stores. His mother would buy his school clothes in either JCPenny or Sears. His shoes would either come from Thom McCann or Buster Brown. Now he was eating at a F. W. Woolworth cafeteria.

Martha watched her son dig into his meatloaf and mashed potato dinner and smiled.

See, Bobby, what you have accomplished by trying? She smiled and pulled his head toward her and kissed his forehead.

Bobby jerked away. Momma! Not here. He looked around to see if anyone was watching.

Oh, sorry. For a moment I thought you were my little boy, but I guess you are my little man now.

They spent the rest of the day at Riverview Park. It was evening by the time they got home. Bobby was exhausted. He hadn’t thought about Pee Wee all day. Martha got him ready for bed, and he was asleep before she could turn out the lights. She stood in the doorway, and looking up, she said. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me back my son. She closed the door softly and made her way into kitchen for one last cup of coffee. She felt that she could relax a little now.

School had been over for a month. Bobby didn’t go out much and hadn’t seen Ace for some time. Eventually, he started getting bored. He tried to play with the neighborhood kids, but they knew he was Pee Wee’s friend, so they avoided playing with him. They were all afraid that if they didn’t do things his way he would tell his gang friend. Even though he tried to join in their games, he found them boring to him. No excitement like with Ace. He missed the gang and tried to obey his mother, but only if he couldn’t get away with it. There hadn’t been too many chances lately. He fought with himself about doing or not doing what his mother had asked of him. Sometimes the good side won and sometimes the bad. He knew it was wrong, but the excitement of the street was a very alluring icon.

He was looking out the open window of his apartment when Mr. Maxwell, the manager, knocked on the door.

Who is it?

It’s Mr. Maxwell, I have a message for you from your mother.

Bobby opened the door. Did something happen to her? he asked softly.

No, nothing like that. The manager smiled. She just wanted to let you know that she will be late tonight, seems like one of the workers called off and your mother was asked to help out.

Thank you, Mr. Maxwell.

No problem, son, and if you need something, jist holler, okay?

I will. Bobby closed the door and went back to the window. Now I wish I knew where Pee Wee and his gang was, he muttered. Just then, the gang came around the corner. He started to call out, but if he did, his neighbors would hear him and tell his mother.

This is my chance, he thought. But I can’t let the neighbors see me.

He looked at the clock. It was almost time for the news, and he knew that all of them would be in the kitchen huddled around the radio listening to Gabriel Heatter and the news while drinking their Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. All he had to do was slip out the front door.

Hey, Pee Wee! Wait up!

The gang stopped, and he watched Pee Wee as he swayed a little as he turned to see who had called him.

Hey, Pee Wee, it’s little man, a member called Pink Eye said.

Hey, little man. When your momma let you out?

She didn’t, just has to work late, so I snuck out when I saw you. I can be home in plenty of time before my momma.

Pee Wee punched him in the shoulder and smiled. You all right, partner. ’Sides maybe you can help us at that.

Pee Wee told Bobby that the gang was going to take over Snaggle Tooth’s gang over on State Street. He told Bobby to carry a small, heavy case for him. Crossing Michigan Boulevard, they started up Thirty-Fifth Street, pushing people out of their way, laughing as people scurried to cross to the other side. Crossing Wabash Avenue, they stopped at black Sam’s variety store and took some chips and Twinkies. Sam tried to stop them, but the gang only laughed and pushed the old man back. Bobby watched in terror as Pee Wee hit the man over the head with a bat he had taken from behind the counter. Bobby stood frozen, listening to Sam groaning. He felt a hand on his shoulder and was jerked outside.

C’mon, partner, don’t feel sorry for him. He’s been rippin’ off kids since I was your age. He also deals in the numbers racket.

They stopped under the tracks near the elevated train station at Thirty-Fifth and State. Snaggle Tooth’s gang was standing on the corner.

You wait here, little man.

But I want to help.

Pee Wee put his hands on Bobby’s shoulders. I said you can help, and that’s by staying here, and hold that box I gave you. Bobby could see that the gang leader was high on something. Pee Wee’s eyes looked glassy, and he couldn’t stop swaying. A weird grin spread across his face as he winked at Bobby.

’Sides, you are our lookout. You see that nigger cop, Two-Gun Pete, let us know real quick-like.

Bobby nodded and drifted into the shadows of the alley and watched the two gangs approach each other. First, the gang leaders began talking, moving closer to each other. The banter grew louder as they began to shout into each other’s face. Snaggle Tooth made the first move when he pushed Pee Wee.

Back off, nigger, you ain’t takin’ nuthin’ from me.

Bobby jumped as if he had been hit as he watched Snaggle Tooth’s head snap back from the force of Pee Wee’s fist. Bobby watched as the two gangs began to punch and kick each other. Razors flashed in the glow of the streetlights. The pop-pop of the handmade zip guns could be heard faintly over the sound of the two gangs screaming in pain and fright. Bobby wanted to help his friend somehow but decided to stay where he was as he watched gang members falling, bleeding, and crying for someone to help them, then scrambling to their feet to join in again. Bobby figured that they didn’t want to show cowardice.

Bobby watched as the two gang leaders stood throwing and receiving blows from each other. He gripped the small case tighter. His heart racing, he wished he was bigger so he could help his friend.

One day I will be old enough, he told himself as he watched pedestrians scurrying around avoiding the gang fight. One man did shout for them to stop, but no one paid any attention to him.

Someone should call the police, the man muttered as he hurried up the stairs to catch a train.

Bobby jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. All the bravo left him as he stared at his friend. Blood poured from razor cuts on his arms and the left side of his face.

Gimme that case.

Bobby held the case out with shaking hands. His eyes were wide with fright. He watched as Pee Wee opened and picked up the largest pistol he had ever seen. He had seen the small handmade zip gun that fired a .22 caliber bullet, but this was not a zip gun. Pee Wee pulled the top of the odd pistol back and let it go forward. He stood with the pistol by his side, his eyes scanning the fight. He stiffened suddenly, and that weird grin appeared once more. He ran toward his object. Bobby saw that it was Snaggle Tooth. The opposing gang leader stood crotched clutching with a straight razor, a silly grin showing the gap and missing teeth.

Pee Wee stood for a moment, his rush stopped by the glint of the razor. The two gang leaders stood facing each other, grins on their bloodied faces. Bobby watched hypnotized as Pee Wee raised the pistol and pulled the trigger. The roar of the pistol made Bobby jump. The rest of the gang members stopped fighting and stared at the two leaders. Snaggle Tooth fell backward without making a sound, a surprised look still on his face and a small hole in the middle of his forehead. The gang leader was dead before he struck the sidewalk, the back of his head gone.

Pee Wee stood over the body, smiling. Slowly he raised the pistol and fired again into the prostrated body. Pedestrians ran, looking for places to hide. The fight broke up as everyone raced away from the area. Bobby stood frozen in place. He didn’t know what to do. He watched his hero standing in the middle of the street waving the odd pistol and laughing.

Pee Wee! he whispered. I hear sirens.

But the crazed leader didn’t hear him. Bobby started toward him and stopped when a police officer appeared at the corner.

Drop the gun, boy, the policeman ordered.

Boy! shouted Pee Wee. Boy? I gotcha boy right here. Nigga, why don’t you come on and take this here boy’s gun. Pee Wee screamed.

Pee Wee raised the pistol and fired. The sound made Bobby jump again, but this time he turned and raced for home. He heard the exchange of gunfire, and it made him run faster. He could still hear the sirens as he made his way up the back stairs. The door to the porch was locked, so he had to climb over the stair banister and then over the porch railing, hoping he didn’t fall. He knew the landlord kept the door to the community kitchen unlocked. He moved slowly down the hall and had just passed the bathroom when the hall lights came on. His mother stood with her hand on the switch.

Bobby saw very little of the outside world after that, and he really didn’t want to. He was afraid the police would see him and arrest him. He heard from kids at school that Pee Wee had been wounded in a shootout with the police, that most of the gang members were either in jail or in the hospital. Pee Wee had been found guilty of murdering Alfonso Higgins, a.k.a. Snaggle Tooth, in the first degree. He was sentenced to die in the electric chair.

Bobby’s mother finally said she’d had enough. She sold everything she didn’t want, quit her jobs, closed her bank account, and with Bobby crying, she left Chicago in the middle of the night. She didn’t let anyone know where she was going, especially her divorced husband.

Now they were speeding over the tracks toward New Bern, North Carolina.

Momma, he asked quietly, will we ever go back to Chicago?

No, Bobby. Chicago is not the place for us. It has taken a lot of hard knocks for me to learn my lesson, and when I think that I almost lost you that night… She took a deep breath and shuddered. She smiled and laid her hand on his shoulder. North Carolina is going to be our home now.

What about Daddy?

He isn’t your daddy anymore. As far as I am concerned, he’s just a man who got me pregnant. He is in jail for arson and selling drugs. He tried to burn down his mother’s house because she refused to let him bring his drugs in after I kicked him out. And I am afraid that if we stayed in Chicago, you would wind up like him or that Pee Wee.

Couldn’t we have moved somewhere else, besides all my friends…?

What friends? The only friends you had were that gang. Nobody liked you. The boys at school just kept looking for a chance to beat you up. She looked down at her son with tears in her eyes. Don’t you realize that if we stayed in Chicago, you would probably wind up like Pee Wee? He didn’t have any friends. People were scared of him. They’d smile and laugh with him, but when he left, they would breathe a sigh of relief. Is that the type of life you want? A man who thought he had the right to take anything he wanted, even a life?

You mean old Snaggle Tooth? He was no…

"He was a human