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The rich and famous have always been a lure to people who have nothing much in the way of lifestyles..especially when it come's to money..spending like there was no tomorrow..now I knew this was going to be my time..raised in and around Jersey and the boardwalk in later years of the seventy's I had to make it this time..
My name is Sal..I come from a good Italian family..and after graduation I was sure I would find something in a settled job to where the money would be easier..
Watching my pop work until he had worn himself down..and now when it was time to enjoy his life in retirement..he was not worth a dime body wise..yeah he had been a great dad..and ma had been the old fashion Italian mom..but what now..
I was older and on my own it had been a struggle from day one after getting out of school..
The kids use to call me Sal Mineo..you know that actor that was murdered in the seventy's in Hollywood..well I sure did not mind the thoughts of an actor for a namesake..but sure wondered if I would get the same befall as Sal..the other one..actor Sal..you sure don't trust anyone unless you know them from the day they are born just about..and then you can't be to sure..
I had met another Italian guy..Alfredo or Al as I called him..we were like a pair of Siamese twins..we worked the docks..the boardwalk..and ran books..or Al did..I was considered the muscle..I had to act tough..and wanted people to think I was tough..but inside I was the same Sal my mom now kissed on the cheek when I went over for Sunday dinner..Al was about ten years my senior..he knew the ropes and from a young boy had learned the easy way of life..the wrong way..Al was not married..me either for that matter..and I needed money to show off..take a broad out for wine and dinning..and nothing more for the moment..attachments would come later..
Here I was near thirty years old..and the old honest jobs were gone now..the mob had not taken the boardwalk..but the numbers racket was here and in full force..the new billionaire's were around like the Donald Trumps..and the rat pack bunches who thought they were tough..we were the silent people who did the work..people did not know what I did after quiting my day job..and mom and pop sure as heck didn't..it would brake their hearts..
but like the Hollywood crowds in their hay day..the money was good..and the parties were always going on in some swanky joint..I was there often..and knew many characters..good lovable one's to those you would not turn your back on..
A couple years had gone by and the money was rolling in like water..but now there were other's involved..Gracie was one..she was beautiful in and out..and every guy who saw her loved her from the start..she was the one I wanted but belonged to one of the main head men in the numbers racket..Grecco..that fat slob..but he had it going for him far as Gracie was concerned..and I knew it had to be the money only..that did not matter..I was Sal and I usually got what I wanted no matter what..I had the looks and she had the face and body of a goddess and I knew I would have to go to a little more dealing to win her over..
Within the year I was up there on top..and Gracie and Grecco were still a couple..or what ever relationship they had..now ma sure would not have approved..or would she..ma never did judge..you know the good old Italian Catholic ma..she would have accepted her with open arms since she was mine..
All I thought of now days was Gracie..she would brush by me and I wanted to reach out and touch her..this I knew I could not..I had dreams of her..the infatuation was awful..and the love I felt for her just looking at her sad face at times was enough to drive any guy nuts..I wanted to take her away from all this..just me and her..the perfect twosome..the perfect husband..her the perfect wife..and the perfect family..a boy and a girl..in that perfect house..when I would wake up from these thoughts I knew I had to do something ..now..not wait around for ever..
Grecco was a user..and he used her in my thought's like some one who collected dolls..all the guys knew how Grecco was he was crazy about her..only to the point of possession and showing her off..and yeah I guess he did care for her in his own stupid way.. But Grecco was making mistakes..he was taking off the top..stealing money from the numbers ..that was a big no no..and Al and I knew this..not a squealer we had to keep it hush..this was going to be the one way I would get rid of Grecco..and take my sweet Gracie..
The next few days it took me hours and hours of searching and going through books trying to locate and find the mistakes..but I did find them..hours of no sleep was worth the effort..now I was going to tell all to AL..showing Al the information I had found he was furious..knowing that this was worse than what he thought we had a plan to get rid of old Grecco..he would go sailing on Saturday morning like he usually did weather permitting..that would be the answer..and would never return..we had it all figured out..the excitement of knowing that the fat man would not be around any longer was almost laughable..if Grecco only knew was all I had on my mind..
the week drew by like a slow drip but finally the day arrived..sun blazing like a new golden diamond this was it..
Now all of a sudden I was concerned..and remembered the thoughts of conformation in church..the ten commandments..and thou shalt not kill and all the memories that I had been taught as a young kid..how could I go along with all this..was I mad..why had I ever considered the thoughts..Oh God what have I brought myself too..greed..money and the love of a woman for this..it sure would not be worth all this to rot in the devil's home for such a brief moment of happiness..and would I be happy with such thoughts on my mind..
I rushed to Grecco..I had to tell him no to go out on his sail boat..as I rang the buzzer to the door..Gracie answered..tears streaming down her face..she looked at me and reaching out to put her arms around my neck..I asked.."what's wrong baby".."Oh Sal..Grecco is gone..he died this morning..of a massive heart attack..what will I do"..Gracie was saying with sobs in between her words.."what do you mean..what will you do"..I asked now nervous and anxious to find out the matters of what had happened.."did he leave you anything in case of an emergency".."Yes..she whispered softly..you did know that Grecco was my dad didn't you..I wondered if you knew..I know that Al had been told by Grecco..did he not tell you anything..!!" I was astounded..that rotten Al..he knew and was going to let me go ahead with this rotten deed..how could he..my thoughts were all crazy..after a few minutes I asked where Al was.."I don't know Gracie was saying..I called and called but never got an answer..I have not heard from him all morning".."That's ok..Gracie"..I said softly I'll go over to where he lives..maybe he is there or at the office..I will find him"..kissing Gracie on the forehead..I knew that Grecco's goons would take care of Gracie until I returned.. Arriving at the apartment building where Al lived..I walked the massive staircase to his apartment..going towards the front door..I notice it was ajar..walking in I see nothing..furniture and all are gone..there is no one here..only trash and junk that he chose not to take..so he was the taker..
By Kyusha��2000
