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Eddie made his way to an old and worn, gray velveteen sofa covered with toys. He cleared them with one sweep and sat down. Dario sat at the other end, away from Eddie. He tried to play it cool, but his knee began to bounce as he started gnawing on his thumbnail.
The woman poked her finger and yelled at Eddie.
Eddie shook his head at Dario who shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t look at me, man. I don’t know what she’s sayin’.”
Eddie ignored her and examined his manicure, but she continued to shout at him. He reached into his leather jacket and pulled out the .38 he’d taken from Dario and rested it on his thigh.
On seeing the weapon, she stopped short.
Eddie smiled. “That’s more like it.”
He fingered the gun and turned to Dario who was rocking front-to-back. Eddie shot him a side-glance and leaned over. “Look, kid,” he whispered, “I know you don’t like being in your enemy’s house, but stop that shit. You’re embarrassin’ yourself.”
Dario stopped rocking and straightened up.
Tau’s mother moved to a chair across from them, arms folded, occasionally yelling over their heads toward the kitchen behind them. Eddie had no idea what she was saying, which put him on edge. He shrugged at Dario.
“Hmong,” Dario whispered.
“Huh?”
“Hmong. It’s a language, man. That’s what she’s speakin’.”
“You understand her?”
“I told you. I don’t understand that shit.”
“Then how come you know so much about it?”
“Man, you’re makin’ it too obvious you ain’t from around here,” Dario said. “‘Hmong.’ They’re people? From Vietnam?” He pronounced ‘Nam’ like ‘ma’am.’ “Or China?” He shrugged. “I don’t know. Not really sure where they’re from. But man, they’re all over this town.”
Eddie shrugged. “Never heard of ‘em ‘til I got here.”
After waiting ten minutes, Eddie heard a door open from behind them. He and Dario turned to look back toward the kitchen. Two male voices could be heard yelling. The woman sitting in the chair stood and raced toward the kitchen. She joined in the yelling. The screaming voices mellowed to a whisper and then stopped.
Eddie sat back and smiled at Dario.
“Tau’s mom is pissed,” he whispered and laughed.
He sat back, waiting, listening. He wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but he didn’t care. Tau was in deep shit with his mother for having “company” come barging in.
A smooth, low voice came from Eddie’s right. “Can I help you?”
Eddie turned to see a tall, good-looking and thin Asian kid of about twenty looking down at Eddie’s gun. His black hair was cropped short on the sides, but full on top, swooping stylishly back. He wore a Lakers jersey, jeans—about two sizes too big, clean white sneakers, and a long, gold chain around his neck.
The petite woman hovered behind him. She was now accompanied by a short, round Asian man of about fifty, who was pointing and yelling at Tau, and then at Eddie, in the now-familiar—yet still foreign, Hmong language.
Eddie ignored the outburst and remained seated. He turned toward the front window as he addressed Tau. “English,” he said. “Good.”
He waved his hand toward the chair the woman had been sitting in. “Have a seat.”
The kid sat down.
“You Tau?” Eddie asked.
Glaring at Dario before answering, he said. “Yeah.”
Dario smiled. “Sup, Tau? Gotta’ little company today, huh?”
“Shut up,” Eddie hissed.
Tau jerked his head in Dario’s direction. “What’s this piece-a-shit doin’ in my house?”
Eddie sat forward as his dark eyes narrowed. “Shut the fuck up, Tau.”
Tau sat back in the chair and casually picked at his fingernails. Chuckling, he said, “Man, who the fuck are you?”
Eddie turned to Dario. “Tell him.”
“Man,” Dario said, “don’t even try. Mother-fucker killed my dog today. Better do what he says, man.”
Tau stared Eddie down for a second before Eddie picked up the revolver and waved it in Tau’s direction. “You the one shootin’ up Mrs. Fortunato’s house?”
Tau’s face twisted. “Who?”
Eddie stood, quickly grabbed the shoulder of Tau’s mother, and pointed the gun at her head. She let out a slight yelp as Tau made a move toward them, but Eddie shook his head, the click of the cocking gun louder than expected.
“Don’t even fuckin’ try.”
Except for the distant sounds of children and a cartoon playing on a television, the room was silent.
After a few seconds, Eddie spoke. “You see what I mean, Dario?”
He pressed the gun against Tau’s mother’s temple, forcing her head to lean to the right. She moaned quietly. The older man put his hands to his mouth to muffle his cries.
“You fuckin’ punks. You got no respect. Mrs. Fortunato is your neighbor.”
Tau gave Eddie a blank stare.
“Across the street?”
His eyes flashed his understanding.
“Oh, so now you know who I’m talkin’ about?”
Tau kept his cocky composure. “Yeah. So?” He spread his arms wide, his head tilted to one side. “Big deal. I shot at the old lady’s house.” He shrugged. “And you killed a dog.” He looked over at Dario and smirked. “So?”
Eddie took one quick stride and clocked Tau in the forehead with the butt of the gun. Loud but brief screams erupted from Tau’s mother and the man.
Tau tipped sideways and fell to his knees with his hands out in front of him. Blood poured down the side of his face as he let out two stifled groans. His mother cried and moved toward her son.
Eddie put out his hand and yelled to her. “Nope. Stay back.” He dropped to one knee, wrapped his arm around Tau’s throat and squeezed.
Dario let out a chuckle, but quickly put his fist over his mouth to stifle his amusement. He stayed back, entertained, as Tau unsuccessfully scratched and pulled at Eddie’s muscular forearm. His eyes bulged as his throat let out strange gagging sounds.
Eddie looked down at him, his face calm, except for pursed lips. He loosened his grip as Tau stared up at him.
“I’m here to teach you two little pricks some respect,” Eddie said. He released Tau from his grip and returned to his feet. Tau remained on his hands and knees as he gasped for air, a pool of blood forming on the worn carpet. Eddie looked down at him for a flash before stepping on Tau’s fingers with his dress shoes.
“Respect for your neighbors, your family, and your fuckin’ neighborhood,” he said, twisting his toes as he pressed.
He turned to Tau’s mother. “Get him a bandage. He’s comin’ with me.”
Tau’s voice screeched up in pitch as he attempted to rise from the floor. “What? No way, man. I’m not goin’ anywhere with you.”
Blood covered one side of his face and had dripped onto his jersey. He put his hand to his wound and looked at the bloody result.
Eddie returned to one knee and pressed Tau’s wounded head into the floor. He sensed Tau’s fear, and smiled as he released him. Eddie stood back up, and Tau pushed himself up to his knees, panting, moaning. Tau stared at the floor, watching streams of his blood flow onto the carpet beneath him.
He scowled and tried again. “I’m not goin’ with you. No way.”
Eddie again moved fast, raising the gun high over Tau’s head.
Tau covered his head with his arms as he let out a quiet whimper. “Okay. Please. Stop!”
Eddie lowered the gun just as Tau’s mother came in with a towel and bandage. She helped her son back into the chair, whispering angrily to him in Hmong. Eddie waited for her to clean him up. When that was finished, he looked at Tau and stuck out his hand.
“Gimme your piece.”
Tau glanced at his mom. “I don’t have a piece.”
“Bullshit. You-been shootin’ up the neighborhood haven’t ya’? Gimme your goddamn piece.”
Tau shook his head. “Not mine. That’s my father’s gun. I don’t have it. He does.”
Eddie shook his head in disgust. “Let’s go.”
Tau stood, gently touching the bandage now covering his forehead just under the hairline. Eddie grabbed his arm. With a tight grip, he jerked Tau toward the front door. Dario followed, chuckling quietly.
Eddie turned back to speak with Tau’s parents, first shooting a nasty look at Dario. The Hmong couple stood in the center of the living room clinging to each other. Tau’s mother covered her mouth with her hands as she cried.
Eddie turned to Tau. “Tell ‘em this—what I’m about to say.”
Tau paused for a second, looking at his mom.
Eddie jerked Tau’s arm. “Tell ‘em.”
“Okay!” Tau whispered, flinching.
Eddie spoke slowly. “Don’t worry.”
Tau translated.
“Your son is coming to work for me. If he behaves, he’ll be fine.”
Tau shot Eddie an uneasy glance but again told them what he’d said.
“And if you know what’s good for you and your son, you will not call the police.”
Tau relayed that message.
“But also, if you’se two need anything, you let me know.” Tau paused, a confused look on his face.
“Go on. Tell ‘em that,” Eddie said, giving him another jerk.
Tau translated Eddie’s last sentence. Eddie watched as their expressions eased. He nodded. They returned his nod. Eddie then moved to leave. He jerked the gun in the direction of the front door.
“Move.”
Tau gave his parents one last look before walking out the front door with Eddie and Dario.
