Chapter 23 Xi Hai Avenue

On Christmas, Dean received a special adult gift, and on the same day, he also sent Price's List to his dozen or so friends via email for the first time.

He enjoyed a relatively warm dinner with his old man and then attended a Christmas family party at his aunt's house.

Everything seemed to be on the right track, at least in the last few days of '88.

During the same Christmas period, the Tranquil Club on the east side of the city also held a party.

But unlike other places in Youngstown where there was singing and dancing or all-night drinking, the Tranquil Club's party was a bit too quiet.

There were no unlimited drinks, nor were there any small groups puffing smoke. There were just people sitting together orderly, enjoying the food and discussing softly.

Everything was restrained, even the party music was replaced with pop songs with religious elements.

In the words of big sister Anna, "This is the Tranquil Club, you can't touch anything associated with 'alcohol or cigarettes' before you're completely sober."

To avoid restlessness, even a slightly noisy rock and roll was not allowed.

After eating a beef burger with a small serving of cheese-flavored pasta, Reed finally felt a sense of fullness in his stomach.

This was the first time he had enjoyed such a sumptuous meal in nearly a month at the Tranquil Club.

Previously due to withdrawal reactions, he would throw up whatever he ate; those bread and hot dogs had no taste in his mouth.

Maybe it was because the food wasn't delicious enough, or maybe because he had lost his sense of taste, he had no pleasant memories of food during that time.

But now that feeling seemed to be returning, his taste buds were slowly recovering. Reed could sense it; ever since he stopped taking addictive drugs, his body was slowly getting better.

For the first time, he felt that life was no longer so dispensable, and he even had a glimmer of longing for the future.

After sneakily finishing the beer poured for him by a fellow patient, Reed finally burped with satisfaction. Although big sister Anna had forbidden alcohol, people always managed to get a little bit through messy channels to satisfy their cravings.

The alcohol brought a warm sensation gradually spreading through his body. Maybe it was time now, as snowflakes could no longer be seen swirling under the streetlights outside the window.

After quietly saying goodbye to those around him, Reed stood up, put on his jacket, and prepared to leave.

"Reed," sharp-eyed Anna immediately noticed him heading towards the door.

"Everyone is enjoying a bountiful dinner, aren't you joining?"

"Anna, I've already eaten plenty. Look, my stomach is even protesting," Reed patted his belly to show he was full.

"Alright, it looks like you had a good time tonight." Anna was amused by his gesture but then glanced outside at the door discreetly, "It's so late, where are you going? It's not a good time to go out now."

"I'm just going for a walk," Reed shrugged, "You know it's Christmas today, a time for family gatherings. Maybe I ought to have a look, no need to say anything, just looking will be enough. Anna, you..."

"OK, I understand." Anna was pleased that Reed still had family in his heart, which at certain times can become a faith or motivation for those who are "sobering up."

Anna knew this feeling; she had been through it all. Ten years ago, she was a motorbike girl who was more stubborn than a bull and took Ecstasy while smoking crack.

During her years of addiction, her mother, living far in the countryside, once became her inner support and the force that kept her going.

She too had countless impulses to give up or secretly run away back to her home in Mississippi and let everything go to hell.

Fortunately, she made it through, and it was precisely her family that became her greatest motivational force.

Now that Reed wanted to secretly go see his family, Anna understood that sentiment.

Feeling guilty toward them while also craving their encouragement. If he really didn't have the courage to face them, then standing outside the window and looking at the warm and lively scenes of his relatives could be some comfort to them.

"So, do you need me to accompany you?" Anna looked back at the people in the hall.

"No," Reed hastily refused, "I'm just going to look, and not planning to do anything. You should spend some time with David; he has put a lot of effort into the club recently."

Anna looked back at the well-built David, a Puerto Rican with squinty eyes and a smile crossed her face. David was her husband, not particularly attractive, but very hardworking. He did all sorts of work, from a mason to metal recycling, and of course, he was also indispensable here at the Tranquil Club.

Thinking of David, Anna felt that tonight she should properly reward him. She then turned back to caution Reed, "Alright, just be careful on your own. There was a shooting in the east of the city just a couple days ago, it's not exactly peaceful here."

"I'll be careful," Reed shrugged. He had nothing to say about the shootings; if there were no gunshots in the east side, he would even find it a bit unusual.

After saying goodbye to Anna, Reed walked out and strolled around Lincoln Park near the Tranquil Club before slowly heading towards Els Street to the east.

That area was known for being a notorious melting pot on the east side of town, where you could see addicts, gamblers, prostitutes, and all other kinds of filth you could think of.

When Reed arrived here, the F&N Food Market was as chaotic and noisy as ever. African Americans, Latinos, Puerto Ricans, Italians – you could see people of every color coming and going.

Don't get it wrong; they were not customers of the place. They were simply accustomed to finding fun here.

With 20 US dollars, you could pick up a streetwalker with heavy makeup; no need to go to a hotel, just head to some deserted alley where the streetlights don't shine. Or, if worse comes to worst, the underpass by the river would do. In East City, no one was picky.

Of course, aside from women, you could also spend 20 US dollars to play a game of dominoes on the street. If you were lucky, you might even make a hefty profit.

Just like Reed was seeing now, the flirting of women, the yelling of men, the moans of drunkards – these were the main colors of Christmas in East City.

As for why these pleasures all cost 20 US dollars? That's because the street price for 0.1g of Quick was 20 US dollars.

What exists is rational; all things have their order.

After making a round at the food market, Reed found his target.

"Hey, Anthony, where's Philip?"

"Reed?" The black teenager named Anthony was surprised to see Reed, "I didn't think you were still alive, everyone said you died."

"Come on! I just went to get some treatment," Reed said, spreading his hands helplessly.

In East City, if a person disappeared for a month, then most likely they died in some inconspicuous place.

It might be a shooting, or maybe just freezing to death or dying from illness. Who knows? These were common sights in East City.

"Could it be true what Edwin said, that he saw you near the Nut House Club? By the Nut House Club, Anthony means the Tranquility Club.

"Something like that," Reed shrugged his shoulders, not particularly wanting to talk about it, especially on Els Street.

"Oh my God, Reed, you actually went to the Nut House Club and came out alive?" Curiosity filled Anthony's big black eyes. "Did they tie you up and force you to read the Bible every day, did they make you drink urine, did they do something excessive to your ass?..."

"WTF?" Reed had to interrupt Anthony's chatter, "I just went to detox, not some gay club!"

"Never mind," Reed waved his hand, "Take me to Philip, isn't he looking for this? I've got it on me."

When Anthony looked, Reed was swinging a brown telephone card in his hand.

"Oh shit! Reed, where did you get these insider cards? A 20-dollar phone card for 5 dollars less than in the convenience stores.

Philip and Redmond like to use it to do business; you know they have to make a lot of calls every day."

"Alright, Anthony, take me to Philip, we can talk about the rest later." Reed became alert upon hearing this news, unlike Anthony's excitement.

It seemed the cards Dean and his people previously peddled had indeed attracted East City's attention.

In East City, there was one particularly booming business: selling leaves. From teenagers barely in their teens to those well into their sixties, regardless of gender or age, virtually everyone might take a hit or two.

Of course, with Youngstown's decline, this business had slowly spread across the entire city. The more buyers there were, the busier Philip and his crew's business became.

To avoid police tracking, Philip and his crew never used fixed phones; public phone booths all over the streets were their best choice.

The so-called insider cards Dean previously put out perfectly suited their tastes – good quantity and cheaper price.

"Reed, if you have extra insider cards, remember to save a couple for me; I'll pay for them," Anthony also showed his eagerness for these insider cards.

He could totally buy them for 15 dollars a piece and then sell them for 20 dollars each to those rich whites. Especially those in urgent need of making calls and unable to find phone cards at the airport.

"If I have any spare, I'll save some for you," Reed replied noncommittally, following Anthony to a room at the back of the food market.

This was one of Philip's usual hangouts, and also the territory of the Els Street Beach Gang. Els Street outside was under Philip's control.

Anthony skillfully greeted the two black men outside the door, and then informed them of Reed's visit.

"Yo! Reed, I heard you came out alive from the Nut House Club?" One of the tall, skinny black men at the door couldn't help but look over curiously.

"Yes, I just felt my body getting worse, so I thought I'd take a break first," Reed had to explain lightly.

"Mother F*cker, you got the order all wrong. Leaf flies are what focus your mind, what give you endless energy." The black man at the door gestured to his partner, where a muscular black giant was flexing his chest muscles.

"Come on, I'd rather be killed than go to the gym." Reed admitted he wasn't cut out for it.

"Ha ha, at least you know yourself. Go on in; Boss Philip has been waiting for you." Seeing Reed admit defeat, the black man mocked triumphantly and let Reed and Anthony into the room.

Inside, a black man with sunglasses and a thick gold chain was sitting brazenly on the sofa, waiting for him.