by Raeden West
“We were hesitant, but it was not because of what we heard of your accomplishments. It was mostly that we didn’t believe that somebody that was only twenty-five years old could have their head on straight. I know that my son Josh has been struggling to find his way. It’s only recently that he’s begun to go down a road that I’m not particularly proud of. I know that he’s happy fighting in the MMA, but it’s not really something that I would call a career. He makes a lot of money and I’m sure that he’s going to be able to retire earlier than most.”
He talked of Josh with a tear in his eye. I think that he wanted him to follow in the family business, but it appeared that his taste for the unconventional had led him into an arena of a different kind.
“Josh is just following his dream. We all do that and it’s just a matter of if we have the courage to truly walk on the path that is less traveled. I know that my mother wasn’t very happy about me leaving Mexico. She didn’t beg me to stay, but she certainly was pretty adamant that she wasn’t thrilled over the prospect of me going thousands of miles away. I found that California was the place to be, so I packed up my stuff and moved without any knowledge of how I was going to make a living.” I had no idea that I was actually going to be a chef. I had no classic training and everything that I had learned was under the teachings of my mother and grandmother. God rest her soul.
“Here’s your paycheck for the week. There’s a little extra something in there. I want you to go out and buy something special. We do need to talk. My wife and I have been discussing taking on a partner. We believe that you might be the perfect person for the job. You are invested in our success and that makes you infinitely qualified to become part of the business and share in its profits.”
That was a pretty good incentive, but my eye was always on the prize of opening my own restaurant. I told them that in confidence after a couple of glasses of wine. I think that they were trying to sweeten the pot and make it impossible for me to do what I’ve always wanted to do.
“You’ve given me some food for thought, but I’m really going to need some time to think things through. I think I know the reason why you’re doing this and I don’t blame you for trying to keep me here. It is an interesting offer and one that would put a smile on my mother’s face.”
Going it alone was a long and arduous journey uphill. Having my feet planted firmly on the ground in an established restaurant could be the perfect compromise. I would still have ownership, but I would have two people backing me that I trusted more than I did my own family. My brother was MIA, leaving for parts unknown when he turned eighteen.
“I didn’t think that my proposal was that transparent,” Thomas told me, “but I’ve always taken you for somebody that can read between the lines. The money that you have made is a mere pittance compared to what you could make with thirty-three per cent of the business. I would really seriously consider where you want your future to be going.”
This was not a Mexican restaurant, but my flair for combining flavors had made them realize that Mexican food was not all about tacos. They waved to me on the way out. I could tell that they were going to celebrate in the carnal embrace of each other’s arms. I really didn’t find Thomas attractive, but maybe it was because of his age and how he felt more like a father and mentor. His wife certainly didn’t have any problem with how he looked.
I was well on my way to closing up for the evening, when the door opened and I was accosted by a man wearing a suede jacket that looked like it was ruined by the snow that had fallen recently. I was not about to be robbed without some sort of fight. I grabbed a knife from the butcher block and I wielded it with a menacing glare.
“Just because the door was open doesn’t give you the right to come in here to seek shelter from the outside elements. If you intend on trying to rob me, then you’re going in to a fight that you can’t win. I think that it would be better for you to turn around and go back from where you came from.” His features were obscured by the long hair that was over his eyes. He pushed it aside and I saw a familiar face. “My God…you can’t possibly be here. You’re supposed to be halfway around the world.”
Standing there was Josh, the owners’ son. He had a black eye. It was most likely due to a profession that he had found himself in.
“I came to surprise my parents, but apparently I’m a little too late. I had hoped to have a heart to heart with them about bankrolling my next series of fights. I’ve been undefeated in ten bouts and each time they tap out in a matter of a couple of minutes.”
I had no idea why he was telling me this, but the idea of investing was appealing. I’d always had a fascination with the sport and it was a secret shame that I held close to my vest. I’d seen him fight on two occasions and each time it was like watching a caged animal coming out with his teeth bared.
“I’m not sure if they have much money to spare. With that being said, I may have some squirreled away that I could invest. I just need to know the particulars on what exactly my return would be.” I’d become a consummate businesswoman and I learned how to manage my money from two people that I trusted. Josh’s parents had a way of taking me underneath their wing and giving me a purpose that went beyond enough money to put a roof over my head.
“I’m certainly not going to ask you to give up your hard earned dollars for a chance at something that’s not one hundred per cent foolproof. I have several advertisers’ on the fence. I think this is going to take a matter of schmoozing them to get them over the hump. It will be nice to have a charismatic young woman on my arm that knows how to talk the language. My parents have kept me informed and they tell me that you are a bit of an idiot savant when it comes to matters of Financial Security. It will be interesting to have you on board, but are you sure that you can take away the time from the kitchen?”
Even though we were talking about business, I couldn’t help but admire the man. He had a build that was cut from stone. There was something strangely compelling about the way that he stared at me without being too obvious. I had that Mexican flair and I wasn’t blind to the way that the boys were constantly falling over themselves to get near me. It was the reason why I’d stopped going to clubs, because I felt like it was a meat market. There was no way that I was going to meet somebody with substance in a place like that.
“If you’re trying to make me blush, then you’re doing a good job.” He tried to avert his eyes. I looked down to see that one of my buttons had come undone during the process of closing down the restaurant. The fullness of my breasts and the buoyancy of my chest were quite evident. I don’t know how it happened, but my excitement level had grown and my nipples were poking obscenely through my shirt. I really didn’t believe in wearing a bra. It felt like I was imprisoning a part of my body. I would probably feel more comfortable completely nude, but then again I don’t think that I would be able to look people in the eye.
“If you’re serious, then I am a meeting with perspective advertisers in the morning. Meet me back here at nine AM. I know that you don’t open the diner until noon. You should really consider a breakfast menu. I know for certain that Mexican food for breakfast can be something that is irresistible.”
It was an idea that I had been playing with, but I wasn’t sure how to approach his parents with it.
I escorted him to the door and I felt this overwhelming desire to grab him by the back of the hair and kiss him with a fever that was burning up inside. “I’ll be here bright and early. Let’s keep this between us. I really don’t think that your parents need to know that we’re going into business together. I have a few things left to do here, and then I will be heading home.”
That jacket was ruined and taking it out into the snow was not a good idea. It appeared that he had no choice and what he had arrived on was a motorcycle. He climbed on board, putting the helmet on and driving away with this bad boy quality that was only slightly marred by the fact he looked like a down and out bum.
Chapter two
I
didn’t realize it was getting this late. I looked at the clock to see that it was one AM and I had spent all that time cleaning up the kitchen and getting things ready for tomorrow. The menu was going to have a surprise. I had been in contact with my mother and she had shared with me some of the recipes from my grandmother that I didn’t even know about. I found this exhilaration with experimenting and every Thursday night, I would put out something different. It was the slowest day of the week and my special menus put people in the seats. Word of mouth spread fast and before I knew it, people were literally lining up around the block to see what I had made for that special night.
I finished for the evening and I walked out with my red ski jacket snug around me. “Hey baby…where are you going and maybe you should party with us?” I didn’t realize that I wasn’t alone until I looked over my shoulder to see that three young punks had decided to cause trouble. “I know that for myself, I haven’t had much of a Mexican diet. I think that a scrumptious piece of ass like you can certainly change my mind.” There was a snicker of approval from those that he had considered friends.
To answer them would only incur a conversation that I wasn’t going to be comfortable with. I only had a couple of blocks to go. If I could ignore them, then they would hopefully go away.
“You know that it’s pretty damn rude of you not to say anything. I think that you need somebody to teach you a lesson.” The tone of his voice was vicious and by ignoring him, I had just compounded the issue. “My boys and I have a request. We would like to make your body into a taco. The shell is your legs and your pussy is the sweet meat that is waiting for my Latin spice to sweeten the dish.” This was met with a chorus of applause and the shaking of chains that sent a cold chill up my spine.
“Jerome, it doesn’t appear that she is in much of a talkative mood.”
“That’s fine by me, because I like my women to shut up and take it. Come over here little Chiquita. Let’s see what we can’t do about blending my Latin flair with a Mexican taste.”
He grabbed me by the shoulder and I turned around abruptly and smacked him across the face. This seemed to stun him and his friends looked on with smirks on their faces. “It appears that this one has fight. I like it when they show some fire. It’s so much better than when they back down and cower like little girls.” It was obvious that this was not their first rodeo. They liked to intimidate and they used their words and their body language to get their point across.
“I really don’t think that you should do this. You’re only going to get yourself in trouble.”
He grabbed me by the chin and I saw his one gold tooth. I was tempted to square off and punch it clean from his mouth. “The only way that we’re going to get into any trouble is if you say anything. By the time we’re done, your jaw will be locked and the only thing that you’ll be able to eat out of is through a straw. That is, if you don’t do exactly what you’re told. I think that a little kindness goes a long way. Show us some love and maybe we won’t have to hurt you.” It was obvious what they wanted. The way that they patted their crotch made me cringe at the very idea of taking on all three of them.
“I think that you should pick on somebody your own size.” The voice was familiar and I turned to see Josh standing there with his fists clenched and ready to go a few rounds. “I don’t know if you know me, but trust me I am not somebody that you should make an enemy of.” They turned with those chains in their hands. It was obvious that they were going to use them to pummel Josh into submission. “Be sure that you know how to handle yourself with those. You’re only going to get one shot and then all bets are off.”
“I can’t believe it… It’s little Joshy-boy coming back home. You really should be careful what kind of battles you insist on interrupting. Turn around and take your pretty boy ways and leave, before we have to make an example out of you.”
They slapped those chains down onto the pavement. It was meant to make him scared, but it did the exact opposite. He held his ground and his eyes were darting from one boy to the next. He was waiting to see who was going to make the first move. “Boys, I believe that Joshy needs a proper welcome home. Let’s give the hero what he deserves for walking out on the gang that made him what he is today.”
“I can’t believe that the skulls would allow a couple of punks like you to be initiated. When I was part of them, we were a little bit more selective. I would never have condoned any one of you becoming part of the pack. It’s obvious that you know of some of my exploits and you still feel a need to step up to me.”
The first chain came forward and he snatched it from the air and wrenched it from the boys grasp with a force that actually hurt the boy’s fingers.
“What the fuck…how the hell did you do that?” They attacked him altogether, surrounding him and making it hard for him to adjust and become aware of what was going on around him. Jerome tried his hand and got an elbow to his nose for his troubles. The blood that sprayed from it was a good way to see that it was broken.
“He broke my fucking nose…he broke my fucking nose!”
This only angered them further and the numbers were starting to work in their favor. One chain hit him across the face and left a permanent mark that began to bleed. He turned the other cheek and showed no emotion.
They finally had him detained with one guy holding his arms, while the others punched his midsection. “He’s made of fucking stone.” They soon concentrated on his face, making him look at them with disdain. His evil smile made them take a step back.
“You are really starting to get me mad and you really don’t want to see me when I get angry.” It was obvious that he was trying to make them walk away, but by saying that it only made them feel a need to ridicule.
“Oh my...what are you gonna do...turn into the Incredible Hulk? Watch out boys, he’s going to become the green monster.” He was shaking his hands back and forth to mimic being afraid, but it was mostly for show. “C’mon Josh, let that anger out and show me what you can do. I’m sooooo scared.”
“No, I’m not going to turn into the incredible hulk…it’s going to be much worse than that.” His demeanor changed, something hardened in him and he became something that they should be terrified of. I heard the cracking of bones and then his shirt began to rip with the jacket following suit. His spine took on a shape that didn’t seem natural and then his face wasn’t exactly Josh anymore. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” His voice had changed and it was darker and more malevolent, like some kind of demon set loose on the world.
The man that was holding him was suddenly thrown clear. He actually was lifted off the ground and forced into a lightpole. He crumpled and it didn’t look like he was going to get up anytime soon. The other two looked at their friend and I thought for sure that they were going to wet themselves. At first, I thought that he was going to turn into some kind of gargoyle, but then his wings came out of his back like it was a natural occurrence. The tail with the pointy end was a weapon onto itself.
He had grown to three times his size and the red scales and the way that there was steam coming out of his mouth gave me the impression of some sort of dragon. He proved that by spewing fire at their feet and setting their shoes ablaze. They danced around trying to put it out, until they were smacked with the reality of what they had come up against.
I’d heard of such things back in my home country, but I always thought that it was stories told to kids to make them eat their vegetables and go to bed early. I certainly didn’t believe that dragons were real. If that wasn’t bad enough, then it was the fact that Josh was a dragon and a man at the same time.
“HEY…HEY…we didn’t mean any harm. We were just playing with you…yeah…we were just playing with you. Can’t you take a joke?” They were backpedaling like crazy and what they received in response was his two wings coming together. The onrush of wind threw them backwards, tumbling over the first car that was parked at the curb. They flipped over and onto the pavement like sacks of cement.<
br />
Josh took flight and landed heavily on that same car, crushing the top of it with the heavy weight that he possessed. The boys were pretty much out of commission. Both of them were bleeding and crawling on their hands and knees to get away. He landed on one and crushed him into the pavement. Literally, the pavement cracked open and made space for the boy’s broken body. The one that had stepped up to him in the first place was the leader of all three. He was now crying and begging for mercy. I didn’t see Josh giving him any, but I had to give him credit for trying. The kid was doing what anyone in his position would do. He was acting on the instinct of survival. We all have the built into our DNA.
He was a bully and the only way to deal with them was to stand up and be noticed. They either backed down or became more vicious. Unfortunately, I was a bully in the past, so I knew how these things worked. It was all about intimidation, but it wasn’t going to work on Josh. They hadn’t experienced anything like him. I doubt that anybody did and lived to tell the tale. That kid would’ve sold out his own mother and not thought twice about it.
“Please…don’t kill me…please…don’t kill me.” His pleas fell on deaf ears, as his body was turned into a fireball in front of my eyes. He screamed in agony, as his body burned and became charred like black coal. The ash was the only thing left behind. Josh made a motion with his large foot. Upon impact, those ashes exploded, leaving nothing behind. He turned towards me. I thought for sure that he was going to do the same thing. I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable and I could feel his hot breath in my face.
Chapter three
I waited trembling where I stood, until I had a glance to see that he was no longer there. I walked away, stealing glances at various places to see, if what he had done had been captured for posterity. This small town did not have much for surveillance and the only real camera in the place was from the ATM several blocks away. I heard in the distance the roar of a motorcycle and I knew that he was making a discreet exit. I don’t think he knew what to say to me. That was fine, because I was speechless and still didn’t believe what I had seen. I tried to chalk it up to some kind of hallucination, but I was not on any drugs. The clear truth was harder to accept and more than a little terrifying.