“Here’s what’s going to happen,” I said. “You’re going to say thank you to Amos for dealing with Greg’s crew for you. And then you never speak to them again. Especially Alejandro. What’s more, you aren’t going to tell anybody about this, ever. I doubt the assholes who peeled out of the parking lot will say anything. You’re going to take this gift for what it is. And that means respecting the code of silence.”
“I’m definitely not going to say anything,” Mia interjected awkwardly. Amos smiled.
“Thanks,” I said to her.
“Are you going to tell my mom?” Jayden asked, the first hint of remorse in his tone.
I wordlessly communicated with Cori over Jayden’s shoulder. “No,” I replied. “She’s been hurt enough. But make no mistake. We are buying something from you with that agreement.”
“What do you mean?”
“He means you’re not getting off free and clear,” Cori said. “This was way too big of a misstep to shrug it off. We just helped you out of a felony.”
“So what happens?”
“You’re going to come to the Center,” Cori declared. “Every day. Where I can keep an eye on you. No fighting. No mouthing off. No leaving to hang out with Greg’s old crew.”
“And when I’m around, you’re going to help me with the building repairs,” I added. “It’ll do you some good to work with your hands.”
Jayden made a face but didn’t protest.
“This is day one, homie,” Amos said. “Deadass. There won’t be another chance.”
Looking at Amos with fresh eyes, I took in all three hundred pounds of him, tatted up from his hands to his neck to most of his shaved head. I wondered how he appeared to Jayden. I saw only my old acquaintance—after this day, my true friend—but I guessed Jayden saw someone harder, someone whose word should be respected.
Nothing like two ex-cons to convince the young folks to just say no to a life of crime.
“You understand?” Cori asked Jayden.
“Yeah,” he responded grudgingly, but some of the tension left his shoulders.
“The Center’s closed on weekends, right?” Amos asked.
“Unfortunately. There’s no budget for regular programs, just sports leagues,” Cori answered.
“Perfecto. Then, since Jayden won’t be there, he can come here. I could use a part-timer to help clean up and stock shelves, maybe even learn to work the register.”
“For real?” Jayden perked up.
“Yeah, kid. I gotta do my part for the neighborhood, too. I see my homeboy Deck out here hammering and sawing for the Center, plus Cori back in the hood making things right. You’re a little shit, but you can be my good deed.”
I laughed, and it felt okay. Even Jayden cracked a smile.
“Pardon me.” Mia inched closer. “The last thing I want to do is intrude, but if I may—” She looked directly at Jayden. “I want to say that I’m going to keep my promise. No one will hear about this from me.” She squared her shoulders. “Obviously, I don’t know why you felt the need to pick up a gun and rob a store, but I do know how lucky you are to have people willing to step up for you like this, people who see your potential, who think you can be better tomorrow than you are today. And I have a gut feeling their faith in you is justified.”
None of us knew what to make of the demure young woman dressed like a congressman’s wife. But for whatever reason, it seemed to be her words that finally got through to Jayden.
“Thanks,” he said. “I know I got lucky.”
“That’s good to hear,” Mia said, tapping his shoulder briefly. She held up a Diet Coke and put five dollars down on the counter in front of Amos. Thedingechoed as she walked out the door. Cori ran after her, I assumed to thank her again.
“None of what comes next will be easy,” I said to Jayden. “It’s why I want you to help me at the Center. Working with your hands is good for fixing things up here.” I pointed to my head.
“Definitely not easy,” Amos agreed. “But it’ll be better than prison.” He handed Jayden his empty backpack. “See you Saturday at noon for your first shift. Now get the fuck out of my store.”
Chapter twenty-eight
Cori
