Read Online Ten Mile River by Paul Griffin - Free Book Online Page A

two. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve. Trini pushed him into a salon chair, sat in the one next to him. ‘How could you not tell me?’ She kept her voice down, but she was angry.
    â€˜Like you said before, we were afraid you wouldn’t hang with us.’
    â€˜What’d you do? What crimes?’
    â€˜Mostly bennies—breakin and enterin. Some grand larceny that got bumped down on a plea. We never hurt nobody.’
    â€˜Right, you just stole their money.’
    â€˜We stole food, mostly. At first.’
    â€˜I must have Sucker tattooed on me somewhere I don’t see. Here my heart’s breakin for you boys, all those sob stories about foster care—’
    â€˜ Yo. ’ He calmed himself. ‘Those were true.’
    His anger surprised her. She looked away, pouted. ‘Ttt.’
    He studied her in the mirror’s reflection, found Yolie in her eyes, the fullness of her lips. ‘How come your aunt ain’t married?’ Ray said.
    â€˜Lost her man in Gulf One, never got over it.’ She turned back to Ray. ‘This whole import business thing, she’s doing it for you, you know? She doesn’t give a damn about the money. She talks about you every night, says she thinks you’re gonna be a big man someday, somebody gives you half a chance. She’s your half a chance, and y’all are too stupid to come on uphill. What a waste.’
    â€˜I’ll talk to him, T. The J-man, he’s set in his ways, though. Give him a little time to settle down. We’ll see. I gotta tell you, though, I’m a little worried about bringin trouble to your aunt. Some neighbor gets mad at her, drops a dime, cops find out she’s harborin two fugitives in her attic—’
    â€˜You know how many illegals she’s hidden in that attic while they were on their way to getting green cards?’
    â€˜Harriet Tubman of Washington Heights, huh?’
    â€˜Raymond, you can’t lie to me like that, not ever again, okay?’
    â€˜Okay.’
    â€˜And promise me y’all aren’t gonna do any more rustlin.’
    â€˜No more rustlin,’ he said. If I can get out of this last job tonight , he didn’t say.

10
    Ray knocked on Jerry’s door. José could wait another goddam month or so for his Ninja.
    â€˜Round Face. You’re early.’ Jerry looked out into his lot. ‘Where’s the ride?’
    â€˜Yeah, um, about that. We don’t wanna do it.’
    Jerry frowned. ‘Well, you’re gonna do it anyway.’
    â€˜Look man, I came here out of courtesy—’
    â€˜No, you came because you know if you scooch out on me I’ll have somebody ram a screwdriver through the back of your beach ball head there, and you’re right. Listen, it’s too late now, kid. Yous are either bringing me a Lincoln Navigator or a pair of thumbs.’
    â€˜How’s that?’ Ray said.
    â€˜I already got a buyer gave me half the money. This is gonna be an ek-scape vehicle this thing yous’re boosting tonight. I scooch this guy and the guy, he’s this maniac Russian, he’ll cut off my thumbs. Now, if I’m short a pair of thumbs I’ll need yours for replacements, see? You and José, which one of you’s a lefty?’
    Ray liked his thumbs, especially when they were attached to his hands. ‘Okay, but this’ll be our last job with you.’
    â€˜Right. Yous kids, you’ll be back again next week begging me for work.’
    â€˜Don’t bet your daughter’s Catholic school tuition on it,’ Ray said.
    â€˜Talkin about my daughter, Round Face? Half-breed mutt. Get over to that vehicle heist before I pop a cap into your fat ass.’
    Ray left. ‘Asshole.’
    â€˜Don’t try to skip out on me, Ray. Wherever yous go, I’ll find you. Believe me.’
    Ray believed him.
    Some gangbanger leaned out of a bass-booming, cruising Mercedes, chucked a Dunkin’