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Sweet Sixteen
By Sleuth
It was his sixteenth birthday.
He sat alone in Aunt Carmen's living room.
She had asked to talk to him today.
He didn't know why. He waited for more than an hour.
He didn't dare leave.
She walked into the room and smiled at him. She always smiled at him. He was her favorite nephew she said. He was going to be different. He would be special. He was chosen.
"Ray darling, how are you on your special day?" Carmen sat at the desk across from him.
"I am fine" Ray answered in a tentative voice. What did she want or expect of him he wondered.
"I am sorry I was so late.. I was talking with your mother" Carmen smiled
"My mother?" Ray wondered if he was in some trouble. He hoped they didn't know. If they did why would Carmen be smiling. No they didn't know.. they couldn't
"Yes, I wanted to discuss something .. a plan really.. with her before I talked to you" Carmen withdrew some papers from her desk drawer. She smiled at him and put the papers on her desk. She pushed them toward Ray.
It was information about a seminary.
"Ray, you are so special to all of us in the family.. your mother and I have decided that you will have nothing to do with the family business. Mick and Danny will handle that. You should become the priest for the family. We expect you to function in that capacity for the good of us all."
Danny walked into the room and wished his cousin a happy birthday. Danny could not wait until he was sixteen. His mother had big plans for him. He was the man of the house now and she had already discussed a good deal of the business with him. He felt quite sure that he could handle it all soon.
In six months he would be sixteen. Then he would show them all what he was made of and his mother would be so proud of him. Mick was no where near as smart as he was , he was sure of that.. he took too many risks. Danny loved his brother but he knew his shortcomings.
Mick lurked in the background leaning against the wall and feeling very left out. What was so special about Ray..? or Danny for that matter? His mother didn't know Ray.. Mick laughed to himself and left the room. Maybe someday he would tell her. He laughed to himself at the thought. Could he still shock his mother? He felt that he could.... "in his own time.. in his own sweet time," he thought.
"Danny , Ray and I are discussing his future. Why don't you sit down and we can all talk about this together. It will affect you too.. Ray will not be helping with the family business."
Danny was surprised. He had looked forward to Ray helping him. He and Ray were more like brothers than he and Mick. Mick was really a loner and more or less ignored Danny unless he wanted something. Danny loved his brother but he knew he was different.
"Mother, Ray might not want that for himself.. that is a big commitment. How can you ask him to do that?" Danny protested.
"It is what his mother and I have decided, Danny. That is what will happen. It for this family. Ray will do great things someday. " Carmen stood up and prepared to leave the room.
"I'm not sure that is possible Tia, I don't know what I am going to do."
Now he knew that Mick had not told her, there was no way he could be a priest, no way he could tell anyone what had happened on his sixteenth birthday.
***
Mick and Danny sat in the living room and Mick was the first to speak.
"Well, what do you think about Mama's plan for Ray? " Mick smiled contemptuously.
" What should I think?" Danny glared back
"Maybe Ray is not the saint that Mama thinks he is... you know?" Mick smiled
Mick loved to torment Danny.. he knew he could not stand secrets.. he just had to know, had to find out. This secret Mick was savoring.. when the time was right.. he thought..
"Just leave it alone Mick... Ray can make up his own mind" Mick was beginning to irritate Danny and it was showing.
Mick laughed out loud this time and left the room.
Danny went to the desk and dialed Ray's number.
"Ray.. hey cousin.. what do you think of my mother's plan.. you know you don't have to do what she tells you.. make up your own mind, you know.. it's your future, right?" Danny said in his most confident voice.. he knew of course that his mother would get her way.
Ray didn't know what to say.. he could feel his throat tighten and he could barely speak.
"You know Mick , he was mouthing off as usual, saying you couldn't do it or something.. what was that all about?" Danny asked as he played with a paper clip twisting it into various shapes.
Ray nearly choked. "What had Mick told him.. no he wouldn't have done that..no" he thought.
"Why, what did Mick say?" Ray asked . His voice was almost a whisper.
"Oh, you know Mick.. he just said you couldn't do it and then left the room laughing.. his usual weird behavior. " Danny laughed
Ray did not.
He could still see her in his mind's eye. He shook his head and wished the vision would go away. Saw her lying there... yes..he knew Mick ...only too well.. He knew Mick had so far kept his secret.. but for how long... how long?
They talked awhile longer and then Danny said he had to take care of some errands and would talk to Ray later.
Ray hung up the phone and wished he could have turned back the clock.
Just forty-eight hours.. that was all.
Forty-eight short hours ago he was an innocent boy now he was a murderer. Mick knew all.. and eventually Mick would talk. When it suited him.. when he wanted something.. anything.. he would talk.
Ray sat on his bed, head in hands crying. His life was ruined and it hadn't even started. All because of Mick.
"No, some of the blame is mine.. he confessed to himself.. some is mine" he said and wept some more.
****
Danny hung up the phone as his mother walked into the room. She came over and kissed Danny on the cheek.
"Why do you look so glum..? " Carmen asked
"Why are you forcing Ray into the priesthood. How do you know what he wants ,Mother? Danny asked
"Oh , are you questioning my decisions for your cousin now? I think Auntie and I know what is best for Ray. He is becoming a young man now.. it is time for him to think about the future" Carmen said while stroking Danny's head.
Danny pushed her hand away and said" Why are you always trying to run their lives.. Auntie has no say in what happens to her own child? You know she would always do what you tell her. It is not fair to Ray" Danny said indignantly
Carmen just laughed and asked where Mick had gotten to... he was always missing lately.
"Who knows.. now that he is eighteen he acts as though he owns the world anyway. " Danny left the room and wished that he could find out why Mick said what he did.. he hated the secrets in this house.
Mick sat in the tunnel his father had built.. he loved to go there.. it was quiet and he could think.. no Mama to watch him. He dug deep in his pocket and took the cocaine from the package.. he knew he could stay here for hours.. they would never miss him anyway. No one ever missed him. It was his silent world.. no Danny.. perfect Danny and no Mama ...it was a wonderful place.
Ray.. he giggled to himself. Ray would never be the same. He wondered if maybe he should invite Danny on his sixteenth birthday. Yeah, that's the ticket.. get Danny too. No ,he knew Danny was off limits.. his mother's favorite son.. his perfect brother. He envied Danny his looks and his style.. he loved him too in his own strange way. He reasoned to himself that Danny was a true Santos.. cold underneath it all.. his little sister.. he hardly knew her anymore. She was always away. She was sweet though.. and always kind to him.. he thought about that.. yes she looked up to him. He liked that.. he liked that a lot.
This summer they would go to San Cristobel.. he liked that too.. Prince Edmund.. he was so in tune with Mick. They liked each other right away. What Mick didn't think of , Edmund did..what a great time they had that last summer.
***
Ray tried not to think of what had happened.
Mick asked him if he had ever been with a girl. He answered honestly.. no. Of course the girls all liked Ray. He was kind and courteous. He had been out on dates with girls of course but he had to confess he had never "been with" a girl the way Mick meant.
Mick said he was going to initiate him.. make him a man. His father had done this for him. He would help Ray out.. since Ray's father was gone now too. After all was said and done, Mick was the oldest and so Ray went along with him.
He took him to Chicago for the day. They went to a part of town Ray was sure his mother would not approve of in the least.
They went into the building that was run down and the stairs were the only way to the rooms.
They climbed the three flights to a landing. The doors were all numbered. Mick said it was all set .. all he had to do was knock on any of the doors and someone would take care of him.
Ray knocked on the first door .. and a girl of around twenty opened the door. "She was very pretty." Ray thought
She invited him in and seemed to know his name.
"Ray, come in .. Mick told me you might stop by" she smiled
Ray was dumb struck and really didn't know what he was supposed to say.
Ray finally found his voice and asked what her name was, "Felicity "she replied.
They talked for a while until she felt that time was getting short and she had promised Mick to take care of his cousin.
She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands across his chest.
Ray was very uncomfortable.. he didn't know what he was suppose to be doing. She told him not to worry.. that is what she was here for and she would instruct him.
Finally, she started telling him what to do. She asked him to do some very strange things, in his mind, this what not what he expected. He did everything she told him to do and then it happened.She asked him to tie the scarf around her neck.. she stopped breathing.. she just stopped. He panicked. He dressed hurriedly and ran to the door. Mick was standing outside.
"Well, had enough..?" Mick laughed.
He told Mick everything.. he was terrified.. Mick told him not to worry.. he would handle everything.. "just go home, Ray" Mick told him..
Ray ran down the stairs and his mind reeling.. what had happened??. why??..He looked at the people in the street. He was sure they knew.. he heard sirens.. was that for him?
Nothing would ever be the same in Ray's life.. it was ruined and now somehow he would have to pay for this.. somehow....but how? It was the next morning that Ray was summoned to meet with Carmen and presented with the information about the seminary. It was an option he did not think wise to refuse.
***
Carmen called for Deitz. "Find Mick .. and find him now.." she demanded.
Deitz went to find him.. he knew where he was. .. he knew where Mick was all the time. It was his job. Carmen kept a close watch on her son. He thought he was fooling her .. he wasn't.
Mick entered the living room with Deitz close behind. Carmen waived Deitz away.
"Sit down , Mick.. " Carmen said
Mick sat down opposite his mother.
"Did you do as I told you?" she asked
"Of course, don't I always " Mick answered
"Where is she?" Carmen pretended to be reading the paper in front of her.
"Just where you told me to send her" Mick laughed in spite of the harsh tone in his mother's voice.
"This is not funny, Mick.. not at all" Carmen replied.
"Danny doesn't know does he. You didn't say anything to him.. did you?" Carmen glared
"No, of course not Mother.. Danny .. nah.. he knows nothing about it" Mick played with a pen and twirled it around in his fingers.
"Then this is a closed issue, Mick.. we will never speak of it again.. you are sure the girl is on her way to Puerto Rico?" Carmen stood as if to end the conversation.
Mick stood and faced his mother. "Yes, I put her on the plane myself. Ray has no idea that it was a sham.. aren't we clever.. Mother." he almost sounded as if he were imitating her and she glared at him again.
Sometimes he infuriated her.
Ray will never know .. never did know that his only sin was believing his cousin.
****
Ray looked in the mirror.
He did not like what he saw.
His eyes had changed, no longer did he have the innocent eyes of a young boy but the sad eyes of a broken man. How did this happen? Why did it happen?
He would go to the seminary. Maybe he could find some comfort there.
Maybe.
Danny watched Mick talking to their mother. He could not hear what they were saying but Mick was laughing. Carmen was glaring at him. Nothing unusual there.
Danny walked into the room and the talk and laughter stopped.
"What's so funny Mick?" Danny asked
"Nothin.. just heard a little joke.. nothing for your ears though brother.. " Mick smiled
The phone rang and Carmen answered on the first ring.
"Hello, Ray" she smiled at Mick
"Why of course darling, no you are not bothering me at all. I am so glad you decided that is what you want. I will make all the arrangements. No need for you to worry about anything. Tell you mother I said hello ..will you?." Carmen sat back with a smile of satisfaction on her face.
"Ray thinks it is best if he goes to the seminary as we ask.. this will make his mother so happy" Carmen stood up and walked toward Danny
"Now Danny..what about your summer.. what do you want to do.. would you and Mick like to go to San Cristobel and enjoy the sun and sea?" Carmen hugged Danny and he pulled away.
"I think that sounds like a great idea.. don't you ,Danny?" Mick smiled at Danny.
"I guess.. it would be nice to get away.. for awhile.. can Ray come with us?" Danny said hopefully
"I don't know.. Danny .. I don't know if that is a good idea.. Ray ..well,.. things will be different for him from now on..you know .?" Carmen hesitated..
"All right.. why don't you ask Ray too.. it might be good for him.. Mick you call and ask him" Carmen walked from the room
Danny wondered why she wanted Mick to call. He was closer to Ray than Mick. Maybe it was because Mick always felt so left out.. maybe his mother was just being thoughtful of Mick. Danny puzzled over it for a few minutes and then started planning his summer in San Cristobel.
***
Ray was glad for the chance to get away. Maybe it would almost feel like a normal summer. He and Danny on a beach. Sunshine and water.. yes that would be a nice change. He would just have to suffer through Mick and that phony Prince Edmund.. Yes.. he could do that, in fact maybe now .. he could just about anything.
As they flew to San Cristobel Danny and Ray sat together and Mick was across the aisle.
Ray kept looking over at Mick.
Danny asked him why he was staring at Mick .. Ray made up an excuse and said he just wanted to make sure Mick was O.K.
Danny and Ray knew about Mick's drug problems and they would not be happy if he was using on this trip.
They didn't want anything to interfere with this summer. It may be the last for them together for awhile. Both he and Danny were really looking forward to somewhere away from the Santos name. No one in San Cristobel seemed to be disturbed by the name. They were friends with royalty after all.. so they felt secure and happy in San Cristobel.
The first day there Prince Edmund seemed to appear out of nowhere. He and Mick were huddled in a corner whispering and laughing. Danny was watching Ray. Ray looked extremely uncomfortable.
"Ray..hey.. what's the matter.. don't let those two get under your skin.. Mick is just being Mick..you know?" Danny said
" Oh .. it's o.k. doesn't really bother me.. it's just that.. Mick.. well you know .. he says things sometimes and "
"Who cares.. let's just ignore him.. how about we take the boat out.. we can get away from them for a while.. a nice sail.. huh?" Danny coaxed
"Do you think they will let us.. I mean ..you know Mick.. he likes to be in on stuff and .. " Ray worried.
"Nah.. who cares" Danny jumped up and ran for the boat. Ray followed.
Mick and Edmund were so deep in conversation they didn't notice.
As Ray and Danny stepped into the dinghy headed for the sailboat they heard someone shout.
"Hey .. where do you think you're going!!" Mick started running toward them.
It was too late.. Danny had managed to catch the tide and they were on there way to the sailboat. Ray and Danny laughed as they climbed aboard the boat. They loved to sail and had done this every year in San Cristobel since they were twelve. They were now free of Mick and Edmund and Ray started to relax.
"Ray.. what is wrong with you.. you have been in a lousy mood ever since your birthday..?" Danny asked
"Uh.. no.. I'm just thinking ..you know about the seminary and all.. it's a big step and I don't know.. I guess I will never be the same again" Ray looked off toward the horizon
"Ray .. are you sure you want to do this.. I mean you are only sixteen.. you don't know anything about life yet.. how can you be sure .. you know.. girls and all that?" Danny trying to be tactful and not quite succeeding.
" Oh.. I know.. " Ray didn't dare say anything more.. he was afraid he would breakdown and tell Danny. He had never been able to keep a secret from Danny.. somehow Danny always knew.
Danny looked at Ray for a long time. He didn't believe him and he wondered why Ray could not share what he was thinking. They always told each other everything. Something was wrong and he just knew it had something to do with Mick. He would find out.. Ray would tell him.. he just needed time. Danny was sure of that... yes.. Ray wouldn't keep anything important from him.
***
The summer seemed to fly by and Danny and Ray tried to keep to themselves and away from Mick and Edmund.
Mick and Edmund appeared to spend the whole summer scheming and barely staying out of trouble. Edmund made sure of that. He liked Mick and enjoyed the rapport between them. Mick was always ready to try anything that Edmund suggested. However, Edmund did not want to upset Richard.
Without Richard he would have no defense against his father. They were so embroiled in their schemes that they hardly noticed Danny and Ray.
Sailing took up a great deal of their time and they talked about many things. Danny, of course, was pursued by many giggling young girls and some who were more sophisticated. Danny found them intriguing and told Ray to remember he was not a priest yet. Ray could not bear to tell Danny why he had no interest in the young women of San Cristobel. Danny pursued this line until finally Ray refused to speak to him for two days.
"Ray, are you ever going to talk to me again... man, I'm sorry.. really.. I don't mean to push.. but it will be a long drought for you .. you better think about that.. " Danny teased ..hoping that Ray would speak to him again.
"Look, Danny you let me worry about that.. O.K. .. I don't want to talk about this again.. leave it alone.. your family is.." Ray caught himself and hit the door with his fist.
Danny had never seen Ray angry .. not like this.. something was terribly wrong.. and he was going to find out why..now he knew it had something to do with his family. That could only mean one thing .. Mick.
Mick knew the answer. Danny was sure of that.. as sure as he could be.. yes Mick. He would find out from Mick.
He approached Mick on one of his better days. He was in a quiet mood and Danny knew this was the time to talk to him.
"Hey, Mick.. you having a great time here?" Danny asked
"Yeah, it has been great.. did you see us talking to that tall dark haired girl. Was she gorgeous or what.. Edmund sure knows some great people.. I think she liked me too.. " Mick said with a smile.
Yes,.. Danny thought to himself , this is the time. He had never see Mick is such a good mood.
"Mick.. what is wrong with Ray.. do you know?" Danny asked as he drew circles in the beach sand.
Mick looked away and then back at his brother.
"Best you leave that alone little brother, definitely leave it alone." Mick said with a certain amount of tenderness in his voice.
"I can't .. you know how I feel about Ray.. we have been more like brothers that cousin's" Danny was sorry he said that because he could see Mick's jaw tighten.
"Really" Mick said looking away again.
"Well, Danny boy.. your cousin had a little run in that I had to solve.. so maybe you don't know everything about your cousin... slash brother" Mick said sarcastically and stood up to leave.
"Mick .. don't leave.. what is going on....what kind of run in.. what did he do?" he grabbed Mick's arm.
Mick pulled his arm away and said" He killed a girl.. that is what he did.. during sex.. how does that grab you little brother" Mick laughed.
Danny was stunned and looked at Mick in disbelief.. this could not be true.. not at all.
Mick was doubled over laughing now.
"You know what Daniel.. I am going to help you grow up.. be a man.. I am going to tell you some truth's ... I took Ray to a whorehouse.. I set him up.. I did all that.. but you know what....Mama wanted me to.. she wanted to control Ray.. she wanted him to be obligated to this family.. she would have him forever...and he wouldn't ever know why... wipe that expression of distaste off your face Daniel.. you better get used to it.. cause that is our family life. " Mick stalked off .. leaving Danny with tears in his eyes and a look of not distaste but horror on his face.
This was the beginning of his mistrust of his brother and mother. It never ended. Each time it was a new blow, each time it startled him more and more. Finally he became enured to it and expected it... he never discussed this with Ray. He couldn't.
Ray never knew what Mick and Carmen had done to his life.
THE END
