Excerpt
Bam! Bam! Ray fired the gun and he and Mike started laughing. They took turns, each shooting two more shots. People were diving behind cars, falling to the ground, trying to dodge the bullets that were ricocheting off the cars and buildings.
“Punks,” Ray said. “Pull off! Rye, pull off God damn it!”
Mike and Ray laughed all the way home about how the crowd disbursed. When they got home, they drank some more beer and then watched an X-rated video. After the video was over, they turned on the TV and listened to the news. Anna came home twenty minutes later.
“Hello Mike, you guys have fun?” Mike smiled but Ryan looked down and shook his head.
“Yeah we ...”
“Shhh Ray, someone’s been hurt, turn it up.”
“A 16-year-old youth was gunned down and killed while standing in front of Lady’s, a Lesbian night club located on the infamous Q road. Q road is a six block strip of gay and lesbian night clubs, restaurants, shops and an all night movie theater. It was reported that...”
“Carla has mentioned that club before, oh no!” Anna screamed. “Ray! I think that’s where Carla and Tammy went!”
The men all looked at each other as a sick feeling flooded their bodies. Anna sensed that something was wrong and she began to tremble.
“What do you mean that’s where they went? Do you know what kind of bar that is Anna? And why in the hell would they be down there anyway? They’re not old enough to get in any club!”
Anna sat down on the couch and began to rock back and forth. “It’s just a bar Ray. They said they go down there all the time. They just sit out in front and people gaze.”
“Anna, it’s a gay bar! A dyke hangout ...”
“Who cares?” Ryan screamed. “Who gives a shit what kind of a bar it is, damn!”
“Watch your mouth Rye, your mother’s in here.” Mike said.
Ray and Ryan looked at each other at the same time; tears welled up in Ray’s eyes as he flopped down on the couch. His high was completely gone, replaced with the low gut feeling of regret and helplessness leaving him weak as his heart raced in panic. Ryan walked over to the window and stared out into the night. “Please,” he prayed. “Please, let Carla be alright.” He stood there until the news came back on, then he sat on the couch in between his parents.
“Now hold on you guys, nothings happened to Carla. They probably went somewhere else. They didn’t say the person’s name or even if they’re male or female, it doesn’t mean it was her that got hurt.” Mike said. Ryan rolled his eyes at his uncle.
“Killed Uncle Mike, killed you stupid mother...”
“Wait a minute here,” Anna said. “What’s going on? What happened? You guys are scaring me!” Just then the doorbell rang and Ray jumped up to answer it.
“Here’s Carla, she must have forgotten her keys.” For an instant, he saw Carla standing there smiling but her image quickly faded as he saw two men standing there.
“Hello is Mr. or Mrs. Lampkins here?” one of the men asked.
“Yes, I’m Mr. Lampkins.”
“I’m Detective Morrison and this is my partner Detective Herts, we’re from homicide, may we come in please?”
“Sure, what’s going on?” Ray asked.
“Homicide?” Anna said.
“Yes ma’am” Detective Morrison answered. Looking back at Ray, he continued “There was a drive-by shooting at a night club called Lady’s tonight which is located on Q Road.”
Ryan looked at his father who was going into shock. He ran to his side and placed his arms around him just in time to catch him before he collapsed.
“Dad!” Ryan yelled shaking his father. “She’s alright dad. It wasn’t her, it wasn’t Carla.” Then he burst into tears. “Oh God no please, please this can’t be happening!” he mumbled as tears ran down his face.
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