Another Last Chance

by Tristan Walker

  “I tried my best to reach earlier, but I couldn’t help it. The ball wasn’t in my court.” He looked genuinely disappointed.

  “Yeah, no problem. I figured that much. What you had to do for Steve anyway?”

  Wendell was looking at him straight in his face. “Remember the deal he had with Patrick?”

  Kevin remembered immediately. Patrick was the person who Steve would get his drugs from. He supplied most of the drug blocks in central with the highest grade of marijuana, and he also sold cocaine. After stealing the drugs from Biggs, Steve contacted Patrick and made arrangements for him to purchase the drugs at a very low price. Steve had never dealt with cocaine and had no intentions to, so it was an easy decision for him.

  “Yeah,” Kevin answered. “What happen to him?”

  “Steve wanted me to go there and let him know that the deal was still on, and because of the situation he would make arrangements to sell it at a later date.”

  Kevin realized that Steve had trusted Wendell to pass the message but not to make the deal. It was obvious that he wasn’t ready to put all his trust in him.

  “Okay, but why Steve didn’t just make you handle it for him?” Kevin asked in order to know if Wendell understood that the amount of trust Steve once had for him wasn’t there anymore.

  Wendell thought about it. “You know how Steve is. When so much money involved, he does rather do these kind of things for himself.”

  It was true, but it wasn’t the answer Kevin was looking for, but it would have to work for now.

  “And what Patrick say?”

  “He didn’t have a problem with it. You know how he is. He business always running.”

  “Yeah, for real. But how you take so long?”

  “I had a little wait and then it had a lot of traffic.”

  “Okay.”

  They were both quiet for a while. Kevin was thinking. He knew a lot of time had passed and although he was ready for them to start working out a strategy, he didn’t want it to look as though he was only concerned with himself.

  “How the funeral pass?”

  “Hmm, well like any other funeral. With crying and screaming, and people wishing they had the power to raise the dead.”

  Wendell walked across to the window with a saddened look on his face. They didn’t say anything to each other for almost five minutes.

  “What happen?” Kevin said.

  Wendell didn’t budge, and Kevin repeated the question.

  He shook his head. “Nothing.” He turned to Kevin. “Imagine almost two weeks done pass, and he bury just yesterday and is like I still can’t believe he really gone.”

  Kevin could understand Wendell’s pain. He didn’t have to be at the funeral to be depressed by the reality of losing someone close. He was only nine years old when both his parents died in a car accident and his grandmother took him and his brother in. She had gotten a stroke and passed away a year later when he was sixteen, forcing him and his brother to face the harsh reality. They both began working and eventually they’d gone their separate ways. He remembered the pain and stood there quietly, giving Wendell all the time he needed.

  Wendell folded his hands and took a few more minutes, keeping his eyes outside the window.

  “Is just how you could never tell what will happen,” Wendell said, breaking the silence. Kevin didn’t say anything.

  “It had me thinking though. And I come to realize that we does actually cause we own problems.” He turned and looked at Kevin again. “If we did never do all those things in the past, and if we didn’t take them drugs from Biggs we would’ve never be in this position today. Maybe everything would’ve turn out different.” He paused for a few seconds and turned his head back to whatever he was looking at outside the window.

  “What you think?” he said.

  Kevin thought about it. He knew it wasn’t something he needed to think about, but to him it came across as though Wendell was making a suggestion rather than asking a question.

  Wendell looked at him when he didn’t get an answer.

  “Yeah, that is true,” Kevin finally answered.

  “Hmm, I glad you agree with me. Because I have a feeling it eh finish yet.” Wendell shook his head and Kevin noticed him clenching his jaw.

  “I have something to tell you, Wendell continued. “But I would do that after you say what you have to say.”

  Kevin was studying what he could possibly have to tell him that wasn’t more important to him than what he was about to hear. Nevertheless, Kevin wasn’t going to allow that to distract him at the moment. He gathered his thoughts and started telling Wendell everything that had happened, from the moment he’d escaped Biggs to the moment his face was seen on the news while he was at the hospital and then being hunted down by officers.

  But he didn’t mention his conversation with Steve and that he had gone back to the hideout.

  It took Kevin a little over two hours to tell his story.

  They were both sitting side by side on the window sill when he had finished.

  Wendell sighed and stood up, slowly brushing his hands through his hair as if he had just inherited the world of problems.

  “So, what now?” he asked.

  “Well, that is what I want you to help me figure out.”

  Wendell was thinking. “Well it not sounding like it will make much of a difference if they get back the memory card or not. They might still find that you see and hear too much.”

  “Exactly…”

  “What about if you show it to somebody big in the business? Somebody bigger than this whole operation?”

  Kevin joined him on his feet. “Yeah, that might work. But, somebody like who?”

  “Well that is where we would have to do we own research.”

  “Yeah, but remember I can’t move around too much. So, basically I really need yuh help to get out of this one.”

  “Yeah, don’t worry yourself, I not planning to do anything else.”

  “Okay, thanks, I really appreciate that.”

  Kevin felt relieved.

  “Well we will have to find somewhere safe for you to hide out while we work this out,” said Wendell.

  Kevin was wondering where exactly he might have in mind, and he was hoping that Wendell wouldn’t suggest somewhere that he would feel uncomfortable staying or would have to have interactions with anyone from his family after what had taken place earlier.

  “You went to the hideout since?” asked Wendell.

  “No. Why?” Kevin said, hoping that it wouldn’t be one of Wendell’s suggestions.

  “What about there?”

  Kevin shook his head. “Nah, I find it too far away from everything. I would rather stay somewhere that I could monitor what going on in the news and if I have to move or contact anybody I wouldn’t have any problem.”

  “Oh, okay. And you wouldn’t want to stay by my house?”

  “Nah, I done tell you already that, that would be too risky. And I don’t want to get your family mix up in all this.”

  “Well, the only other place I could think about right now, is right here.”

  “Hmm.” Kevin moved his eyes around the room and his focus remained on the unsecured door. It was his biggest concern, especially knowing how badly he needed to rest and he would not be able to sleep comfortably without wondering if someone would come into the room while he was asleep.

  “So, what you think?”

  Kevin looked back at Wendell. He was glad to be distracted although he wasn’t given enough time to think it through. He took another obvious glance before giving him an answer.

  “Yeah, well. It not that bad and I done here already.” He sat on the window sill. “But I don’t have anything to sleep on, or anything to eat. So that is the next problem.”

  “Nah, don’t worry about that. I will organize them things and bring them back.”

  “Okay, cool. Thanks.”

  “Yeah, no problem, don’t worry about it.”

  We
ndell looked at the time on his watch and then looked out the window observing the number of people who were at the grocery store across the street. “I will go and get some things for you now. I wouldn’t be long.”

  “Okay,” Kevin said.

  Kevin remained sitting at the window a little longer, trying to figure out a way to retrieve the memory card from his apartment without being caught. None of his ideas felt one hundred percent safe.

  After about forty-five minutes of being alone Kevin heard a noise coming from downstairs. It sounded like bags and boxes being dragged across the room. He could also hear male and female voices. Kevin went to the door, peeping through a crack he’d made by slightly opening the door.

  He noticed that the front door was open and that created enough light for him to see that there were three men and two women. They were all dressed in ragged clothing and two of the men were bringing in a large box. One of the women was dragging a garbage bag to a corner of the room. She then ripped it open, spilling the rubbish inside.

  After getting the box inside, both men along with the two persons who were waiting around took it apart and made five beds with the use of additional boxes from within the room. They were made of similar lengths and stacked at a specific height to protect them from the cold ground.

  When they were finished they gathered around the woman with the bag and helped themselves to whatever they found to eat.

  After eating they took some time to share a needle before closing the door and making the place dark again. Only their voices were heard as they slowly welcomed the silence.

  Kevin had no intentions of disturbing them. He knew they would be aware of his presence when Wendell returned.

  He carefully closed the door and went back to the window, this time sitting on the ground and keeping his eyes in the direction of the door.

  His pains were obvious. Moving around wasn’t as painful as a few days ago, but it was excruciating to put his body in certain positions. He tried his best to ignore the pain as much as he could.

  His eyes were closing. He knew it was important to stay awake to ensure his safety, but he also knew it would be a matter of time before he fell asleep.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Kevin? Kev, wake up!”

  Kevin opened his eyes, panic coiling like a snake in his stomach. He threw his body on the ground, away from the person kneeling down beside him, before realizing that it was only Wendell. He placed his hand on his chest and started to take some deep breaths.

  Wendell stood up and gave him a few more minutes before apologizing for startling him.

  “Yeah, okay, small thing,” Kevin said. He got back in a sitting position in an attempt to relax.

  As his eyes wandered around the room he saw a few flattened cardboard boxes in one corner covered with a blanket of newspapers. There were two grocery bags on top.

  When his heart had slowed to a normal beat, Kevin went across to the bags. He took a seat on the newspapers and it was only then that he remembered the homeless persons downstairs.

  “Where you pass to reach upstairs?” Kevin said.

  “Through the front door, why?” Wendell replied.

  “Nah, I did hear some talking downstairs earlier, so I thought them people was still downstairs.”

  “Yeah, right there I pass. But them not studying me.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  Kevin began looking through the bags. He found water, juice, bread and some other items. He made himself a quick sausage sandwich while Wendell sat quietly at the window. Only after he took his last bite did he look at his watch. His eyes widened in shock.

  “Is eleven-thirty-seven,” he said.

  “Yeah? said Wendell.

  “But…” Kevin began, then stopped.

  “What?” Wendell said.

  “Nothing.”

  But Kevin was suspicious once again that Wendell had taken much longer than he should have.

  “Something wrong?” Wendell asked.

  Kevin shook his head. “Nah, I didn’t realize it was so late.”

  “Oh, okay.” Wendell paused. “I didn’t have any money on me so I had to pass home for some.”

  “Okay.” Kevin took out two more slices of bread and opened the tab on another can of Vienna sausages. He was confused as to why Wendell was acting normal after going home. He then began to weigh the possibility of him not finding his mother or Karen and Jimmy. He was looking at Wendell from the corner of his eyes to see if he would notice any change in his mood. But Wendell seemed preoccupied.

  “How yuh mother and them going?”

  “Good, I hope. They wasn’t home. Normally Jimmy does go by the park with my mother and make some laps around the savannah. And around that time Karen woulda still be in class.”

  “Oh, okay. So, they wasn’t in their room either?”

  “Nah. The rooms was empty.”

  “Okay. And how come you didn’t try calling them?” Kevin asked. He wanted to cover all angles.

  “Nah, my phone have to charge. Plus, them is big people. I not worried.

  “Alright, true. But that weird though. When I was there earlier yuh sister was organizing for class, and I really think I did hear yuh mother them say something about going to the savannah.”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t doubt it.”

  “Well, you know how yuh mother could be sometimes.”

  “Don’t remind me.” Wendell had a grin on his face.

  Kevin was glad that it had went smoothly. He had finished eating and he placed the garbage in one of the bags and put it at the foot of the cardboard bed.

  Wendell stood up with his hands folded across his chest. His grin had vanished, and he was now grim.

  Kevin had seen that look before.

  He looked up at Wendell and shook his head, preparing his mind for the worst.

  “What happen now?” he asked

  Wendell didn’t answer at once. He looked as if he was trying to form his words as best as possible. Almost a minute passed before he started talking.

  “When I was home I happen to catch the ten o’clock news.” Wendell paused for a few seconds. He was looking straight at Kevin’s face.

  Kevin was anxious to know what the officers had come up with this time.

  “Yeah, and, what they saying now?”

  “Well…” He was studying something. “They place a reward for anybody who bring you in.”

  Kevin looked around the room, the piece of iron was on the far side of the room next to the door. He realized that he’d have no other choice but to use the gun to defend himself if Wendell decided to betray him for the love of money. He hoped that wasn’t the case.

  “How much is the reward?” Kevin asked.

  “Fifty thousand,” Wendell said after hesitating for a few seconds.

  “Hmm, that is plenty money.”

  “I know.”

  Kevin didn’t have any idea what to do or say. As much as he knew it wasn’t possible, he wished he’d just disappear, just like that, in thin air. Wendell was just standing there with his hands still folded across his chest as if he was contemplating on whether he should accept the money or not. Or maybe he was thinking about what he had done at the club and what he was about to do.

  For some reason Kevin felt as if Wendell was telling him that he had sold him out for the money. He was thinking of a way to talk him out of it. Money changes everything, but their friendship was something to think about, and it was worth a try.

  “So, what you decide to do?” Kevin finally asked the question. Wendell looked surprised.

  “What you mean?”

  “You know what I mean. What we going to do now?”

  Wendell screwed up his face. “Well, this turning out to be harder than I thought. Knowing that so much money involve, plenty people would be looking for you. And it going to be so much harder for you to move around and you wouldn’t be able to stay one place for too long either.”

  Kevin let out a long breath. He was bot
h relieved and surprised that Wendell was still on his side. Nonetheless he was somewhat embarrassed of the fact that his experiences had him nervous and it was also giving him trust issues.

  “What about the memory card?” Wendell asked.

  “What about it?”

  “You make any copies yet?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, well we will have to make some copies. The more we make the better.”

  “Alright, no problem.”

  “Okay, well you could stay here and I will go and get the memory card and make the copies.”

  Kevin lowered his eyes. He wanted to remain involved as much as possible. Kevin knew that his survival and clearing his name was depending on the evidence on that card. Retrieving it was most important to him and he felt as if he was the only person who would be willing to protect it with their life.

  “I think it would be better if I go with you. We can get it and from there we would go and make the copies,” Kevin said.

  “You really want to take that risk? It have plenty police outside there. I could go and get it now and make the copies and reach back here before morning. They wouldn’t even suspect anything.”

  His plan sounded tempting, but Kevin’s trust in people and their words wasn’t the same as before. He had to convince Wendell and tag along.

  “Nah, it have some other things I have to collect. So I would go and get them stuff one time.”

  Wendell was looking at him as if he was trying to get into his head. Kevin turned and started walking to the door.

  “Wait,” Wendell said, gesturing for him to remain. “Let me go and make sure everything safe in the area and around yuh house before you go outside. When I went out earlier it had plenty officers patrolling, that is why I tell you I woulda go and handle it. I not too sure how things looking now.”

  Kevin sat down. “Yeah, that is a good idea,” he agreed.

  “Okay, so you could go ahead and take a rest and I would go and do the same and I would make sure everything okay by your place before I come across here in the morning, okay?”

  Kevin looked at him with a concerned face. He was becoming worried that their arrangements would be compromised if Wendell went home to his family.