Jeff Takes a Stand

Mumbling incoherently, Jeff rolls his stiff, achy body onto his back. He hopes to find Julie but plummets to the dusty floor instead. "What the hell?" Rubbing his weary eyes, he nervously scans his unfamiliar surroundings. He first sees two deer heads mounted above the fireplace. An old Winchester rifle hangs diagonally between them. He then notices the two grizzlies standing watch across the room. A trio of elk heads hangs on the dark paneled wall on the opposite side. Where in the hell am I? He tries to get up, but the pain in his head forces him back down. Why does my head feel like it's about to explode? Last night's events suddenly replay in his mind.

***

He first recalls his standoff with the meth head on his front lawn. The sun has completely set over the Ozark mountains. Night creatures have begun with their eerie shrills. A gentle breeze blows across the land bringing the sultry heat down to a more tolerable temp. There were a few lights on in the houses surrounding them, but the streets were nearly dark.

"I'd advise you to walk away before I put a bullet in your skull," Jeff says, keeping a close eye on the military-issued tactical knife in the man's hand.

Hearing footsteps coming toward them, Jeff glances over to find the tall, burly man walking their way. Looking closer, Jeff realizes the man he'd left just moments ago.

"What's going on over here?" Luigi asks, reaching for his gun.

"This damn meth head thinks he can rob me blind." Jeff laughs, shoving his piece into the man's head. "Whatcha going to do now, smart guy? Huh? What? Now that it's two against one."

The man nervously twitches in place.

"You still want to rob me? Huh, do you? Well, go for it, punk, but I guarantee it won't end well for you."

The perp glances at Jeff and then at his friend.

Luigi moves his jacket aside, exposing the butt of his gun. He shrugs and says, "I've already killed two tonight, so one more won't hurt my feelings, none."

Shoving Jeff to the ground, the mugger races away.

Shaking his head, Luigi turns and says, "The guy is lucky you don't have any bullets in that thing." He laughs and then adds, "Nice bluff, though."

Jeff brushes the soil from his clothes as he stands, smiles, and says, "Oh, but I do" There's a sparkle in Jeff's eyes when he shows Luigi what he'd done.

Luigi eyes the full clip. "When did you do that?"

"On the ride over to Mitch's place." Jeff pops the piece back in place. "I did it to ensure I'd make it out alive."

"I told you we would."

"Yeah, well, you know what they say. It's better to be safe than to be sorry."

"You didn't shoot yourself in the foot or throw up all over yourself." Luigi slaps Jeff on the back. "I'm impressed." Putting his arm around the rookie's shoulders, Luigi steers Jeff toward his car. "I remember what it was like when I first began. Like you, I was always trying to bite off more than I could chew. He continued, but Jeff was too lost in his own thoughts to pay him any mind.

He turns towards Luigi, an evil gleam in his eyes. You and Bambini reneged on your part of our deal. Having those goons come in and terrorize my family after promising to leave them alone if I did what you asked." Jeff pictures himself shoving his gun in Luigi's head. "You can do anything you want to me, but I'll be damned if I stand by while you hurt my wife and kids."

Jeff pictures Luigi pulling his gun from his waistband. He takes a shooter's stance and says, "You don't want to go there, rookie," he warns, cocking his head to the side.

"What's stopping me? Huh? What?" Jeff imagines himself saying. Shoving his gun further into Lugi's head, he says, "You better tell Bambini to call off the dogs before I take all of you out."

"If by chance you do get a lucky shot off and kill me, Bambini's men will go after everyone you love." He thumbs toward the house. "Starting with your wife and kids. Of course, you'll be the last on their list because they'd want to make sure you suffered to the end."

Jeff glances toward the house and gulps. I do need to get everyone to safety before I make my move. Glancing at the gun, Jeff reluctantly puts it away and then turns his attention to the conversation at hand.

Clearing his throat, Luigi continues. "A wise man once said, before running with the big dogs, son, you must first learn to pee in the tall grass. Noticing the perplexed look on Jeff's face, Luigi pats Jeff's head, laughs, and says, "Stay on the porch, small pup."

Jeff glares at his adversary. You'll think small pup when I get done with you. He pictures Luigi's bloody demise in his mind and smiles. You'll see.

Luigi checks his watch and finds that it's getting late. "Bambini wants me to bring you to the house."

"Now? Why?"

"He told me that he has another job for you to do."

"Tonight, but." Seeing the look on Luigi's face, Jeff stops.

"Let's go, little pup." Luigi laughs. Grabbing the scruff of Jeff's jacket, he leads him to the car.

***

The two arrive to find the boss pacing across his office floor. A cloud of smoke hangs heavily in the air all around him like he'd just finished chain-smoking an entire box of cigars. The smell is so overwhelming that it causes Jeff to gag when he's shoved through the door.

The job concerned the boss's oldest daughter, Adriana. Bambini's hired guns found her brutally beaten just outside their gate. He later discovered Antonio Hernandez, his lifelong enemy, was responsible for the savage attack.

"You can shoot to injure, but don't shoot to kill," Bambini instructs, then adds, "I want to take care of this one myself." He wrings his hands as he pictures the scenario in his mind. An evil gleam shoots from his eyes when he says, " I'll make sure the tyrant pays dearly for what he did to my sweet baby girl." Anger surges through every inch of his body when he pictures his daughter's battered body in his mind. Bambini clenches and unclenches his fists. "It'll be a slow, agonizing death. I guarantee you that. The man will be begging to die long before I do him in."

Jeff didn't like the sound of this, getting caught up in a war between two rivals. Someone is bound to end up dead. With his lack of experience, Jeff figures it'll probably be him. He glances at Luigi and then at his boss. "I'm... I'm going to have help with this, right?"

Luigi slaps him on the back. "You're on your own, rookie." Luigi laughs and adds, "You wanted to run with the big dogs, so here's your chance.

Jeff gulps. It's one thing wanting to run with the big dogs and another to be thrown to the wolves." Jeff turns toward Luigi and then back to the man behind the desk.

"I have confidence in you, son," Bambini says, reaching for another cigar.

"I'm glad somebody does."

"Do this for me, and I'll consider your debt paid in full, don't, and well..." Bambini runs his finger across his neck.

Jeff's heart sinks to his stomach. "I know, I know."

The three worked into the early morning hours to devise a foolproof plan. The Campari flowed as freely as their ideas.

That's probably why I feel the way I do, Jeff thinks, massaging his aching head. I still don't see how this little plan of theirs will work. Jeff rehearses their idea in his mind and then shivers at the likely outcome. There are too many variables, too many things that can go wrong with this idea. And I'll be the only one there, so it'll be me that takes the fall.

He combs his fingers through his long, thick hair. I need to stop in for a trim and maybe do a shave, he thinks, rubbing the stubble blanketing his boyish face. A horrid thought comes to mind. It may not matter how I look by the end of the day.

Taping on the door, Luigi enters the room. "Thought you might need this." He tosses Jeff a shaving kit. "The maid has fresh clothes for you in the bathroom, and your car is right outside. Bambini wants you to get a move on it. Says he doesn't want to wait around for this all day."

"I was thinking about our plan, and I." The door closes before he can say anything else. Guess I'm on my own on this. He sighs.