Robby wasn't the only friend that Joey had. In fact, he was friends with several older boys who played around in Patterson Park on weekends until summer came, and then it was off to find a full time job if they could. Barring that they would return to sit on the wall in the evening hoping for a date.

Most of these guys were all fifteen to eighteen, long experienced at who was and wasn't cool to ride with on a Saturday night. Joey probably liked Brian Bookbinder about the best; he was eighteen and the oldest member of their little club. The lean kid was real popular with the dates and he was generous with his weed, which he occasionally shared with his younger friends.

The week before, Brian had introduced Joey to a man named Bob; no last names were ever traded. Bob had taken both of them out for dinner and then dropped Joey back at the Park before Brian went off to spend the whole weekend with him. That was so cool, having one guy who liked you enough to do the kind of things Brian described they did on these weekends.

Brian said they went to movies, the racetrack and even occasionally to the beach. That was simply awesome in Joey's book. He had to know more, like how he could find a deal like this for himself. Just the thought of being able to stay away from Benny's for several days at a stretch sounded so appealing.

It was still early enough for Joey to find Brian out there on the street before Bob came along. Joey hurriedly took a shower, carefully washing and conditioning his hair. Benny was out for the evening, at least there wouldn't be a continuation of their fight.

Benny's deal was that the boys had to share a percentage of their profits with the house; 'rent' Benny called it. So if a boy dated and made a hundred bucks Benny wanted forty of it. It was bad enough that Benny got all the profit from their little restaurant games, Joey thought it quite unfair. Now Benny was mad, he was sure Joey was holding out on him. What the man didn't know is that all the boys were hiding their profits.

Joey put on a clean pair of black jeans that clung to the shape of his body; he topped it off with a white T-shirt and his black jacket. It didn't pay to be too colorful; it made you look fruity, Joey thought. But the dark clothing allowed someone to fade into the Park when the cops were out on the street, and he could always open his jacket so a guy in his car could pull over. It was all part of the game he had learned.

Joey ducked out the back and quickly moved around the corner to the end of the block. Standing in the shadows outside the Brick House Bar, he looked across at the Park. The streetlights were just popping on in the gathering dusk, but he could already see a few boys up in the Park standing under the trees. When night fell they would move down to the concrete wall and sit, waiting for someone to pull over, roll down a window and motion them over.

Joey waited until traffic came to a halt and he scooted between the cars, crossing the avenue and taking the stairs three at a time. He felt safer up here, you could see for blocks in either direction. As expected, Brian was among the small cluster of boys standing or sitting around the park bench.

The sweet smell of marijuana hit his nostrils and Joey smiled, Brian had weed. He smiled large as he sauntered up to the group.

"Hey, Joey," Brian said, "How's it hanging?"

"Longer than it was last week, but never long enough," Joey quipped.

The boys laughed at the time worn joke. Younger kids hanging around were always kidded about being receptacles for the men they dated, true or not. Receiving was reserved for them; the big boys claimed they never took it up the ass.

That was probably the bigger joke, money was the reward for the game, and with the right number of dollars they would all bend over and spread their cheeks. All but Joey. The bravado talk they shared never seemed to include that fact; image didn't allow it to be admitted.

Besides, none of the boys Joey had met would ever admit to being gay, this was a straight boy thing, just for the money. He wasn't that stupid, some of them had to be queer ... but he wasn't. Brian passed him the joint and they smoked in silence for a while. When the roach was stamped out he motioned for Joey to take a walk.

"Glad you came up tonight, Bob was asking about you when I called him today, are you surprised?" Brian asked.

"Uh, yeah. I thought he was your date," Joey replied.

"He is, but he's got a friend that might like you, interested?"

"Sure, have you met him?"

"Yeah. Bob had this party last month, the guy's name is Paul and I was introduced to him then, nice guy. He's got a lot of bucks too I think. Bob said he was bringing Paul by with him tonight, wanna double date?"

Joey thought about that for a moment. What if Jack came lookin for him? Jack was a nice guy; all he wanted to do was watch Joey masturbate while he sucked on the boy's toes. It tickled him to death at first, but the money was steady, almost every weekend.

But Joey was beginning to formulate a new plan, something that would get him away from Benny for as long as possible. Maybe this Paul guy would be the answer, he had to try. "Awesome, I'm in," Joey said.

They were pretty buzzed by the time Bob's dark blue Lincoln was spotted coming up the avenue. The boys made their way down the steps and waited at the curb. Bob was a slightly balding, middle aged man and Joey knew he was gay when they had first met.

Tonight he had his friend Paul along in the back seat and Joey was quickly introduced before the car started to roll away from the Park. Joey did a hasty appraisal of the new guy, short blonde hair, nice clothes, and a pleasant face. He guessed Paul was a little younger than Bob, maybe thirty or so, the guy didn't seem like one of the usual perverts he dated, which was good.

They drove out through Highlandtown and picked up the interstate heading into the county. Bob had a nice home in the suburbs out there Brian had told him.

"You guys interested in some dinner?" Bob asked.

"Sure, neither of us had time to catch a bite at home," Brian quickly replied.

"Good, then we'll eat," Bob said.

Although Joey had skipped a meal, Brian had no such luck. He lived in the attic of a house owned by two men, one of them a former boyfriend. They didn't feed him and were always on the point of throwing him and his meager possessions in the street when he didn't contribute to the rent. Brian starved a lot.

Joey put on his best manners when they stopped up towards Towson and Bob lead them into a sit down restaurant. They took a corner booth and he sat next to Paul.

"If you don't mind my asking," Paul said, "How old are you, fourteen?"

Joey nodded. It was a lie, he was thirteen, but they always lied. He smiled and replied, "Does that worry you?"

"No, not really," the man replied, "I've learned that boys from the street grow up real fast when they need to."

"Got that right," Brian chimed in.

"What kind of job do you have, Paul?" Joey asked.

"I'm in electronics, I design business systems. Are you familiar with computers?"

"Nope, never touched one," Joey replied. "Do you live up Towson too?"

"No, I have a condo out in the Owings Mill area, you know where that is?"

"Sure, the rich snooty folks live out there."

They all laughed at Joey's comment, mostly because it was true, and because the kid had no apparent fear at expressing his feelings about wealthy people.

"I hope you don't think I'm snooty," Paul said, "I wouldn't want you to dislike me already, we just met."

"Naw, it ain't like that, I think we could be friends easy," Joey replied.

Joey knew he had scored a point with that comment, so he backed off and let the others hold most of the conversation. When the waitress came he ordered the same thing Paul did, he wanted the guy to think he fit in.

Bob mentioned that he and Brian were thinking about going to a movie later on, but Paul and Joey were free to do what they pleased. Paul mentioned he had no specific plans but he didn't know what time Joey needed to be home that night. Joey looked enviously at Brian who had no constraints on his time. Screw Benny, and Joey made his choice.

"I could stay out all night if I wanted," Joey lied, "My dad's cool about that."

"If you're sure then maybe you'd like to spend the night at my house," Paul suggested.

"Yeah, that's fine, let's do that."

They drove back to Bob's after dinner so Paul could pick up his car. Joey gaped at the sleek blue convertible in the driveway, awesome wheels. Bob had to make a few phone calls so they all went into the house where Brian showed Joey his room.

"Bob told me this was my bedroom the first night I spent with him," Brian said. "He said there would be times when I needed my own space away from him and I could come here. I think he's the nicest man I ever met."

Joey sat on the bed and stared in wonder at the stereo and television, all this was just for Brian to use, that was awesome. Brian rolled a small joint to share.

"Maybe Paul will party with you, but I'm not sure so you take this just in case you need a buzz," Brian said.

"What kind of stuff does he get into? Do you know?" Joey asked.

"Not really, you'll find out soon enough. I like him, I would have dated him too but Bob and I have a thing goin, ya know."

"Paul seems nice, is he gay?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, I think so, but he was married once Bob told me. Just be honest with him, no need to fuck with his head, learn to trust him."

"Ok, I'll do that. Are you gonna move in with Bob soon?"

"Damn, I hope so. I think he might ask me soon and I'm gonna say yes," Brian said.

"Wonder if Paul wants a boy too?" Joey said.

"Hell, I'll bet Benny is gonna be mad at you about tonight, but I won't tell. You're the only one crazy enough to cross him," Brian laughed.

"He won't mess with me. I'd move in with somebody like Paul in a flash, did you see that car? Awesome," Joey said.

The boys wandered back into the living room but Bob was still on the phone. Brian decided to leave Joey alone with Paul, they had things to learn about each other, and he split for the kitchen.

"Joey, do you think Brian and Bob have a thing going?" Paul asked

"Yeah, I think it's cool," Joey replied.

"Are you gonna hate me if I keep asking you questions?"

"Naw, how else are we gonna get to know each other? If I don't wanna tell you I'll say so," Joey said.

"I've met several other boys that don't like talking very much; they think it's too personal. I just didn't want to start off the wrong way with you."

"I like it when guys are real with me. There's too much bullshit, know what I mean?" Joey asked.

"Yeah. I guess you've been dating for a while?" Paul said.

"A while, but not so many guys, mostly the same two or three. I know this one guy, Jack. All he wants to do is suck on my toes and watch me jerk off, weird huh?"

"Takes all kinds, but do me a favor Joey, ok? If there's something you don't like, anything at all, please tell me. I guess I'm like you; I've dated but not too many boys and never someone as young as you. Honestly, I don't know why I let Bob talk me into this, you're very young."

"I'm sorry, maybe we shouldn't go out. I could go home," Joey said.

"Why don't you spend the night anyway? You're an attractive young man and I think you're someone I would like to know better," Paul said. "What shall we do this evening?"

"I'm lookin forward to a ride in your car, it's awesome," Joey said.

"Thank you, how about we just go then. I have some good movies at home if you're interested?"

"Yeah, got any Bruce Lee movies? He's so cool."

"I probably don't, but we'll stop at the store," Paul said. He went to find Bob and say good-bye. Brian gave Joey a knowing look and a smile, have fun he was saying, be careful.

The trip to the Northwest side of the county was a blast to the boy, it was too cool out to put the top down but the roar of the engine on the sports car gave him such a thrill. True to his word, Paul stopped at the video store and picked up a couple of Lee's kung fu movies for the boy. Joey was still explaining all about the action in the films when they pulled up in front of the condo and parked in front of the garage door.

If Joey liked the car, the house impressed him even more. Paul had eclectic tastes but the furniture looked comfortable and inviting, and the television screen was huge. Paul gave the boy a quick tour of the place which included the bedroom. His king size bed looked real comfortable, but Joey wanted to avoid thinking about what they might do in there.

"Wow...I could live here," Joey said. "You have a cool place."

"I've never had a boy live with me," Paul said.

"Uh huh," Joey said, embarrassed that he had even brought it up so soon.

They retired to the living room and Paul placed one of the movies in the VCR. As the film came to life on the huge screen Joey took off his shoes and leaned back on the couch.

"Uh, do you party?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, sometimes ... do you have pot?"

"Brian gave me this little joint, do you mind?"

"You go ahead; I'll just have a beer. Can I get you something to drink?" Paul asked.

"I'll take a beer too," Joey said with a smile.

Paul shook his head as he went out to the kitchen. Hustler, pot smoking and beer drinking at such a tender age, what had he latched onto here? He had dated other young guys, but they were never this young.

The last boy was sixteen, with hair on his body and sweaty armpits, Joey didn't even show signs of shaving any time soon. Damn, it made him uncomfortable. He supposed it was bad enough that he was attracted to these street boys, rationalizing that if they weren't dating him they would be sleeping with some other guy anyway. It was their choice, wasn't it?

But Joey was different, more open and what? Innocent? No, the kid had an agenda, he wanted something, Paul could tell. Their little lives must be terrible; poverty drove them to sell their bodies for a few dollars. He knew they bought drugs and alcohol with the money, the last one had been a real lush and that's why he wasn't around anymore.

He knew why he liked the young ones; they made him feel like a kid again. At least I know I've never grown up, Paul thought, I like doing kid stuff and that includes sex. Could he really enjoy sex with Joey? Oh God, what if he hasn't reached puberty?

Joey accepted the beer and then didn't drink but two sips of it. He lit the joint and passed it while the Bruce Lee movie ran. But the food, the weed and the warm feeling he had about being in this place soon had Joey nodding off. Paul saw that and yawned.

"I'm tired, and tomorrow is another day...let's go to bed," Paul said.

Joey didn't resist and allowed himself to be led back to the bedroom. Paul sat him on the side of the bed and undressed the boy down to his briefs. It allowed him to see that Joey was physically mature, but the age still made him keep his hands off.

He tucked the boy under the covers and went off to the bathroom to brush his teeth. And then it was Paul's turn to undress and he became aware that Joey might be half asleep but he was watching.

"I'm not after anything," Paul said as he slid in bed. "We're just going to sleep."

Joey smiled, his eyes barely open. "Night," He said.

Joey lay back, feeling a strange sense of peacefulness and security as Paul slid closer and arms enfolded him. This wasn't Red or Bugs, not even Robby. This was a grown man, and Joey felt good about it. Yes, he could get used to doing this.

He would have to tell Paul his thoughts about getting away from home, but he had made no real plans. What was he going to tell Benny? He would already be pissed off and Joey wasn't sure how he was going to deal with that.

He'd never encountered a man who didn't want to have sex with him at the drop of a hat. The thoughts swirled in his brain, but he couldn't focus on any one thing long enough before the urge to sleep overtook him.

Paul knew the boy had gone to sleep and was glad; he needed the time to think about this situation once again. So the kid probably wanted to live with him, how was the boy planning to pull that one off? One look at Joey eyeballing Brian and Bob together had told him the kid wanted something similar for himself, but didn't they all?

I'll bet his father is worried about him already; he probably shouldn't have spent the night. Kids lied about such things and paid for it later. Joey was a real sucker for affection but he doesn't understand it either.

If I kiss him his hand will go straight for my dick, what does that say about his past? I wonder just how many guys he's slept with, maybe dozens. Oh God, he's barely a teenager. And Paul wondered if he could have survived something like this?

The early morning hours ticked away, and Paul's mind ran various scenarios that included bringing this boy into his life to some degree. The big thing was ... would the boy really trust him to do what was right? He needed more answers, and that meant asking some tough questions. Joey would probably dodge them all.

He looked down at that sweet face and the calm it projected. He smiled as this tiny drop of drool gathered at the corner of the kid's mouth and rolled across his cheek. Joey's tongue moved across his lips and he snorted quietly, inching his body a little closer to the source of warmth near him. What a sweet kid, but the responsibility that would come along with it would be unbelievable. How could he continue his life, his work and meet the boy's needs?

I'll bet he's nearly illiterate, Paul thought, and that would have to change. If I'm going to derive pleasure from his body then it seems only fair to give back what the kid needs to survive and grow into a man. Shit, listen to me, is this going to last that long? Is it even realistic to expect Joey to stay for one week much less five or six years? Would being his surrogate father make me feel any better about sleeping with him, I doubt it, just what am I doing?

Crazy thoughts, I'm nuts, Paul decided. He looked back down at Joey's face and saw deep pools of green staring back at him.

"You look so serious," Joey said, "is it me, am I a problem for you?"

"Yes ... and no," Paul replied. "I was thinking about us and what you said about living here. It's a problem and it's not, we'd both have to make some adjustments if it was ever gonna work out. We could have great fun, but I have to work too. Some of it I can do here, but there would be days when I would be gone for most of the time. It all depends on you, I'll help but you would have to make it happen?"

There it was, Joey thought, the chance to escape. I just knew this guy was different; I had a feeling about him. Right now I'd do whatever it takes to be with him.

"I'll do whatever it takes," Joey found himself saying and then he did something he'd never done before, he kissed a man. No, that wasn't true, he'd kissed Robby before but that was when they were pretending he was a girl so Joey could find out what screwing felt like, it didn't count.

The kiss stunned Paul, it was just so unexpected and ... beautiful. It was as if the boy needed to show this sign of affection, to prove something now existed between them. Joey felt the man's erection rising between them and without asking he slid a hand down beneath the sheets.

"No, Joey...just stop," Paul said.

"You don't want me to..."

Paul reached out and removed Joey's hand from his cock. "I don't know what I want...I still think you're too young for any of this. What do you want?"

The boy's move had left him with more questions unanswered, including the big one, was the kid gay? He had experienced hustler sex over the years and they all did it differently. But they all produced results in record time, which was a prostitute's credo. What would Joey do now?

Joey's hand reappeared and he lay quietly, waiting for something else.

"So, is your father going to punish you for staying out all night?" Paul asked.

"No, I told you it's alright, he ... " Joey started and then the lie died on his lips. He had to tell this guy the truth if he was going to spend time away from Benny.

"I don't know, he doesn't punish me, it's just that..." Joey said. He was about to break a house rule, but should he? Instead he smiled. "I think the last time I got a wuppin I was eight."

Paul got up and made coffee while the boy showered. He had just taken his first welcome sip when Joey appeared wrapped only in a bath towel.

"That felt good, you have really hot water," Joey said. "I just about burned my balls off when I turned it on. What's that shampoo you have in there, it smells great."

"It's made from the yucca plant, grows out West, it makes your hair real shiny and soft. But I noticed you take good care of yourself anyway, have you always had long hair?" Paul asked.

"Pretty much, I thought about cutting it last year. When I got in fights at school the niggers used to grab me and pull it."

"That's a pretty harsh word, Joey; I don't like the sound of it. Make me a deal, ok? You give up that word and I give you an allowance once a week, say ... twenty bucks. You can spend it on anything you want except drugs or booze. Can we agree on that?"

"Guess so, I'll call them black instead of n ... right, you almost got me there," Joey laughed. "Why is that so important?"

"It's going to become part of our deal. We're so different, it's like we grew up on different planets. If this is going to work then I'll have to learn to understand you better, respect the things you don't like and try to make some changes in myself so that we can get along in the best possible way.

"In return you'll have to try hard to respect me and make some changes in yourself, but always for the better. I want you to see this as a chance, a way to get out of just being a kid who hangs in the Park and hustles for money."

Joey looked at him and Paul saw the emotion in the boy's eyes. "I'll do anything you want," Joey said. "But...but all I know about is having sex with guys like you and you don't want it...I'm confused."

Paul made a gesture and Joey came closer. Placing his hands on the boy's hips he maneuvered Joey into his lap. Slowly the towel fell away leaving the boy exposed, but he made no move to cover himself. The body was thin, too thin and without a trace of fat. Joey's organ was about right for his age and yet it looked big on that emaciated body. Paul had no doubt the boy could deliver a fair amount of cum with something like that, but did he want it this way?

"I imagine we're both confused," Paul said. "I don't know how you feel about the other guys you've dated, and I've never been happy with the boys I took out...until I met you. Right now I would like to get to know you better, have you over for some fun times and learn more about you.

"Honestly, I don't think I'm ready for sex with you, Joey. Not that you can't perform like a man, I'm sure you can. But I'm willing to wait until you get older and see what our friendship really means, can you handle that?"

"No sex...and you still want to hang out with me?" Joey asked.

"Yes, I like you a lot. It isn't every day I get to hang out with such a handsome young man," Paul said.

Joey smiled. "But will you kiss me if I need it?"

"Hugs and kisses we can share anytime you want, right now in fact," Paul said.

Joey stood up and turned around, mounting Paul's lap and bringing their faces together. The kiss was sweet and Paul slid his arms around Joey and pulled the boy close. The kiss went on and Paul wasn't at all surprised when the boy popped a boner. There was no dividing line between sex and affection in Joey's mind, at least not yet.

The kiss ended and Joey laughed, looking down at his crotch. "Wow, now that was a great kiss...um, sorry."

"No sorry about it, you're a perfectly normal boy. I expect you to react like that, just so you don't expect me to do anything about it. Not now...maybe someday we can share the other feelings."

"Yeah, we can," Joey said. He leaned forward and kissed Paul again, only this time he slid his hand down into his lap and began stroking himself. Paul knew what was happening, but the boy had to solve his own issues for the moment. The kiss went on and became frenzied as Joey reached a climax. His face pulled away and Joey leaned back with only Paul's arms restraining him from falling off.

Paul didn't look down; he watched Joey's face as the boy ejaculated on his stomach and chest. Eyes closed the boy exuded that purity of feeling he had seen several times already. The release had given Joey a moment of peace and contentment. It said a lot that he was willing to let his guard down in Paul's lap and be himself.

No doubt that the kid had a hard life, at home and on the street. Sex was like the drugs, a bit of escape into a private world, a place that made the rest of the world go away. But Joey had chosen to share it here and now, and Paul could not ignore the emotional appeal the kid had.

There was more than age standing between them and a sexual encounter. Joey had been with other men, and it was likely that no condoms had been used. Paul didn't think that Joey had accepted anal intercourse just yet, but he probably would someday. Giving oral sex to a strange man could have exposed the boy to all kinds of venereal diseases. No, he could not have pleasurable sex with Joey...not now.

"Oh yeah, did you see that?" Joey asked.

"I see the results plastered to your belly," Paul said. "Was it good for you?"

"Um yeah, your kiss did that to me," Joey giggled.

"Now I bet you're hungry, and I'll have to feed you. But not until you clean up that mess and put some clothes on, OK?"

Joey wandered back to the bedroom for his clothes, and Paul eased the stiffness in his shorts that he had kept trapped between his thighs. There was no way that he could keep his body from reacting to a show like that. It would be fresh in his mind later when he could take care of his own needs in private. Lord, this is not going to be easy, he thought.

Joey ate three eggs and four waffles, all drowned in maple syrup. Paul knew the boy had to go home, at least for the moment. The situation with his father was unknown, and Joey hadn't even mentioned his mother, that was a concern. But he wouldn't press for information, all in good time.

Paul let the boy out on Patterson Park Avenue, around the corner and up the street from the pick up point. That was probably wise, someone could be watching. Joey had been delighted when Paul gave him money.

"Make sure you eat with that," Paul cautioned. "I think you're too skinny, and I don't think Bruce Lee would approve."

Joey laughed, pocketing the bills. It was too much, Paul knew, fifty dollars would buy a lot of weed to smoke. But maybe the boy would buy food, take some home and feed his family...maybe.

"You gonna be around again soon?" Joey asked.

"For you...sure," Paul said. "I'll tell Bob and Brian can pass it along to you. But you have my phone number too; call me if you don't see Brian....OK?"

"Yeah...I will," Joey said. The boy was looking around as they rode up the avenue, he didn't seem upset at what he saw. "Here's OK," He said and Paul pulled over.

"Stay out of trouble," Paul said.

"Or don't get caught, huh?" Joey laughed as he popped the door. And then he was gone, running across the sidewalk and on up into the trees of the park.

It was noon, and Paul could think of nothing else but Joey the rest of the afternoon. He worked a while at his desk, walked back to the bedroom and masturbated, then worked again. The condo was quiet, no sounds of laughter, and no cute young boy to steal his focus. What did he really think of the boy?

Joey took a hike down Patterson towards Fleet Street and the pawn shop he now knew belonged to Richard. From across the street the three-story row of shops looked like any other in the city. Old dusty bricks faced the building to hide the iron work support structure. This particular row of buildings had to be at least a hundred and fifty years old.

Now he had enough money to buy Robby a present, maybe even a gold watch. Richard had a neon pawn shop sign hung behind the grimy glass storefront window. He wasn't afraid of the man, not after watching Bugs control the big guy like he had. Joey pushed the outer door open and heard a buzzer sound deep inside the store somewhere.

Joey could see the sales counter beyond the second door. He stood a moment, and then pushed through this door into the store. A wall of thick glass enclosed one whole side of the store, but he could easily see why it was there. Behind the wall's protection was a row of large display cases crammed with gold and silver jewelry. Row after row of watches, rings and necklaces hung on little pegs against a soft black fabric. At a glance the rest of the store seemed full of stereos, televisions and electric guitars.

"The world would be a better place if people didn't buy so much crap and then have to sell it off," Richard said from the corner. Joey hadn't seen him there, in fact he was sure no one had been in that corner when he walked in. Then a piece of the wall moved, Richard had come through a hidden doorway behind the counters.

Standing together in the aisle Richard pointed at the cameras in the ceiling, and at various points along the wall. "Security, for what it's worth. Most of this crap out here is worthless anyway. Benny sends most of this over. But occasionally some junkie wants to steal something and after I stop him I have to call the cops. I should really just do the jewelry and precious metals."

"Uh, how do you stop a thief?" Joey asked.

"Oh, that's the fun part of my job," Richard laughed. "I just shoot them in the leg and sit on 'em until the cops arrive." He looked at Joey's face to see if the boy believed him. Wasn't going for it, was he? "Ok, I just lock the doors. Come on, I'll show you."

Opening the front door, he showed Joey the slots for the electric drop bars machined into the frames. Now Joey realized why the doors had seemed a bit heavy when he came in, the frames were solid steel and the glass was bulletproof. They both stood between the two doors in the little glass vestibule. "If I lock the doors then the bastards are already in jail and they can't hurt anyone but themselves. Want to see?"

Joey nodded. Richard took out a little device clipped to the pocket of his shirt. He pushed a button and Joey heard a solid thunk sound from inside the door, but that was all. "It's locked, both doors are. We're trapped in here now." Joey pushed and then pulled on the handle. The door didn't budge a fraction.

"So how do we get out?" Joey asked. Richard pushed the button on the device a second time and the thunk sound was a bit louder this time. Joey pulled the door open and they stepped back inside the store. "That's cool."

"It will also lock someone inside the store. They might get a little crazy and bust up some things but they cannot get out of this room."

"But you have a door over there, I saw you come through it," Joey said.

"In fact there are three doors out of this room, but two of them are hidden and both are locked up tight. I rarely come out from behind the glass wall when there are customers in the store. The door you saw has a keypad lock and the other door? Well, let's just say for now that it goes down and out."

Richard punched in a code on the small pad in the wall and with a click the entire section hinged out of the way. Joey could tell this door was heavy and that was confirmed as he pulled it shut. Inside he got his first glimpse of the glass wall's edge. The glass itself was thicker than his wrist and now Joey knew why Richard felt safe back here.

The space behind this glass wall was almost as large as the rest of the store. There was enough room for a roll top wooden desk. Several workbenches were piled high with various boxes, a refrigerator, and in the corner a small bed. Joey could see a sink and a toilet through a door at the rear and beside that a polished brass door.

"My little home every day," Richard said. "But it's too quiet in here."

He went to a cabinet and turned on a stereo. Suddenly the room was filled with violins and horns. Soft music like Joey sometimes heard at the mall.

"So, shall we have coffee and discuss why you're here?" Richard asked.

"Yes, please," Joey said. "Do you sleep here?"

Richard laughed, his heavy jowls moving feely with the sound. "No, but sometimes I do stay up late. I live upstairs." And then he pointed at the brass door. "That's my elevator."

Richard began grinding the coffee beans and then smiled, turning towards Joey. "Have you ever been a spy before?"

"Spy? I'm no spy," Joey said.

"Good boy, admit nothing unless they torture you. I thought maybe Benny sent you down here to spy on me...that man is a product of his own paranoia. You know what paranoia is?"

Joey shook his head and Richard laughed, "Benny does too many of his own drugs and never writes things down. I show him my books and he thinks I'm stealing from him. Like any of that worthless crap he has out there will sell. I tell him, bring me gold and silver, anything that I can move. Anything in diamonds or other precious stones are just fine. No more damn toasters and televisions, but he doesn't listen."

"Uh...Benny didn't send me. Bugs said you have some good watches and I need one," Joey said.

"Ahh, now that I can do. But what if I wanted you to spy on me...or at least make Benny think you are." Richard filled the coffee pot from a water bottle and turned the machine on. He sat down on a thick stool beside the counter and looked Joey over.

"I know all the boys are loyal to Benny, but you're fairly new. I'm not asking you to do anything that will hurt the man; you wouldn't do that now...would you?"

Joey shook his head and Richard nodded. "But I hear you two fight occasionally...may I ask why?"

"He wants to run my life. I do my chores; he gets his cut when I go out doin stuff. But I am not some little kid like Bugs, I pay my rent," Joey said.

"And you don't sleep with him, and that might cause some tension." Richard sighed. "What I'm offering you is a job, a little clean up work here and there. And then I want you to go back to the house and tell Benny how much of his junk sold that day, it won't be much, I assure you."

"That's spying?" Joey asked.

Richard chuckled. "Kinda, only you'll be telling him the truth. We've been partners going on five years now; we need each other to stay in business. But his worry is driving me crazy, I'm not stealing from him...there's nothing to steal."

"So I sweep up, is that all?" Joey asked.

Richard plucked two mugs off the drain board beside the small sink and inspected the insides. He placed them on the counter and poured the coffee. From a small refrigerator he pulled a carton of cream and added a goodly amount to one of the mugs.

"Sugar is in that bowl," He said, handing Joey a spoon. He took a sip of his coffee and sat the mug back down on the counter. "I know what you're thinking, but I'm not after what's in your pants." He took another sip and then smiled. "I like boys, yes, I like them very much. But I enjoy boys like your friend Bugs, boys that are not...um, mature."

Joey smiled. "OK, I'm not worried."

"You go out on dates, I know a lot of you do, and that's fine with me," Richard said. "A boy has to learn about life somehow. But I admire the innocence Bugs has, and I will for as long as it lasts."

"I wouldn't let him go out, he's too young," Joey said. His feelings about Bugs were the same as he had for Robby, neither of them knew enough to date.

"So we understand one another, and that's good," Richard said. "I'm not going to hide anything from you while you work here, but there are rules. What you see back here in these cases is worth a lot of money. So that's why no one can ever get back in here with us.

"If you're back here and someone comes in the store then don't open the door and go out there with them, am I clear? Opening that door compromises my security, it will not be done. OK?" And Joey nodded.

Richard took him behind the nearest workbench where Joey saw that the wall here was mirrored to make it look as if it ended when in fact it did not. Behind the workbench was a row of metal cabinets and a large safe. Richard stood in front of the safe door and spun the dials so fast Joey didn't even see the numbers change. With a clunk, the massive bolts slid back and Richard pulled open the door to reveal ... nothing.

Joey looked puzzled and again Richard explained. "What? You expect me to leave valuables in a crummy safe like this? This is only for the window display jewelry. I lock it in here every night in case some schmuck breaks the store window."

"What's a schmuck?" Joey asked.

"Yiddish word, it means ... a real dick. Now why would I think you knew Yiddish? Do you know any Jewish people besides me and Benny?"

"I didn't know you were Jewish. My mother says I'm Polish."

"There are lots of Jews in Poland, you might be one too," Richard said.

"But how would I know?"

"You wouldn't at this point. After the war the Polish Jews scattered everywhere and not all of them remained practicing Jews."

"So being Jewish is something you have to practice, I could do that," Joey said.

Richard looked down at the boy's face in amazement and then he started to chuckle. "Oh if only my old rabbi could have heard you say that, he'd bust a gut. No Joey, Judaism is more than a religious practice. It's a culture, a way of life."

"I don't understand."

"That's ok, many Jews don't understand either. Religion is a tricky business anyway, and I don't have time for it myself. It never gave me any comfort when I was a boy. I suppose if you don't get the calling to believe when you're young then it won't have much influence in the rest of your life.

"Right now I imagine that basic survival is your main objective. With no formal education that must be very difficult so you've developed street smarts. There is nothing wrong with your mind, Joey. Just don't screw yourself all up with drugs like some of the other boys. So shall we talk about work?"

Richard showed Joey the bathroom and the small kitchen which needed an occasional cleaning. He was to sweep up the floors and pick up trash outside the front of the store. But his major chore would be keeping the glass clean, inside and out.

Richard's physical limitations meant that the glass above six or seven feet was filthy. Joey used a step ladder to reach the top with some ammonia laden water and the rags he was given. He hated the smell, but it peeled off the grime on the outside windows very quickly.

From the top of the ladder he could see over the window display and watch Richard working at the table inside. He figured the old man was loaded with cash and did his best to hide that fact from the world. All this stuff had to be worth a lot of money, and yet Richard kept this shabby little storefront on the poor side of town.

Richard looked up and gave a small wave with his fingers. Joey smiled and then pointed at a small crack in one section of the window. Richard shrugged and then went back to focusing on his work.

The rest of the morning went fairly quickly and by one Joey had most of the glass in the storefront looking clean. He wondered if he ought to ask Richard about lunch, but as he poured the bucket out in the gutter, the man came out to inspect his work.

"My goodness, this has never been so clean before. You do very good work...and that deserves a reward. Lunch is on me, Joey ... where shall we eat?"

"Uh...I don't know ... the Hardees is up the street...but is there a place you like?"

"No fast food," Richard frowned. "Do you like Greek food?"

"Dunno ... never had it."

"Then let's have an adventure for lunch," Richard laughed.

He took the little device from his pocket and pushed the button. Joey heard the bolts clunk into place on the door.

They walked up a block to Eastern where Richard hailed a cab. This surprised Joey....just where was this guy taking him? But he had never ridden in a taxi before and that in itself was a little exciting. The taxi took them all the way up into Highlandtown close to the county line where Richard told the driver to stop.

Joey had never been here before; Richard called it Greek Town. And sure enough, there were several Greek restaurants in a row and Richard lead him inside the smallest looking one.

The guy behind the counter greeted Richard like they were old friends.

"Mr. Richard, it has been a while since we last saw you."

"Hello, Zamos, I would like you to meet my new employee, Joey," Richard said as he laughed.

"Ah, Mr. Joey, welcome to my restaurant," Zamos said with a grin. "I expect you are hungry?"

Joey smiled at the man, partly from embarrassment, but mostly because the man had a huge bushy moustache that reminded him of a wooly caterpillar. But the place smelled real nice and Joey felt his stomach rumble.

Zamos led them to a large table that could have seated six and waited on them. There were only two other occupied tables in the place, but somehow the restaurant seemed busy. Joey heard strange music playing through the speakers mounted on the wall but it didn't bother him. He did notice that Zamos didn't even give Richard a menu, and instead he stood waiting expectantly for the big man to make his choices.

"Is the pasticcio fresh today?" Richard asked.

"Oh, Mr. Richard, it is fresh everyday...my wife made it first thing this morning."

Joey sat quietly as Richard rattled off a list of items. Pasticcio, souvlaki, feta ... something ... Joey couldn't understand all the words ... but it seemed like a lot of food.

Zamos smiled and Richard sighed. "I will bring you tea," Zamos said.

Richard looked at him and Joey smiled. "I have no idea what you ordered," He said.

"Well I guarantee it will be the best," Richard said. "And I'm sure you will enjoy trying it."

"Thanks for bringing me," Joey said.

Richard looked at him for a moment and then cracked a smile. "I like you, my dear. I do because there is something different about you, unlike the usual street rabble Benny takes in. You have a quiet softness in your face that speaks of better times, and yet I can see the pain hiding behind those big brown eyes. I'm sorry you've had such a difficult life for one so sweet. It makes me want to give you a big hug."

Joey didn't know how to respond, probably because he didn't understand much of what Richard was saying. "Uh ... OK," was all he managed to reply.

"I won't talk down to you, my dear. But someday you will understand me better ... at least I hope so." Richard stirred the tall glasses of tea that Zamos placed on the table. "It's very sweet ... they use honey instead of sugar, but I think you'll like it."

To his surprise Joey did like it ... and then began the parade of dishes from the kitchen. It became obvious why the table was so large because soon it was covered in steaming plates of food. The smells made Joey's stomach growl louder and Richard laughed.

"Here, let me put some of this on your plate," He said, spooning a bit of this and that from the bowls and serving plates. Joey wasn't sure what he was going to like, but he knew that Richard wasn't going to be happy if he didn't try everything.

He recognized the macaroni and spinach in one dish; another had some kind of flaky crust, but was that one cabbage? Joey forked a mouthful and began to chew. Oh yeah, that tasted real fine. Then his look turned to one of amazement as he watched Richard begin to put away the food.

In the time it took Joey to consume most of what was on his plate, Richard had eaten half the food on the table. It was like watching a machine at work as Richard fed his mouth with both hands.

Fascinated and yet repulsed, Joey tried not to watch as the man inhaled his food, washing it down with large amounts of the tea that Zamos kept bring to the table. It was like watching a starving dog wolf down his food, and Joey had seen a few of those. It left him feeling sad...no wonder the man was so fat.

But finally Richard put down his fork as Zamos and a waiter cleared the table of the debris. Joey knew he had to say something.

"That was really good ... I think the Greeks are good cooks," He said.

"They've been at it for a few thousand years," Richard said, "They have lots of practice anyway."

"Thank you, Richard."

"Certainly, my dear ... consider this part of your education."

"Do you help Benny with the school?" Joey asked.

Richard looked at him with amazement, eyebrows raised. "School? Oh, you mean the little classes he holds for the boys? I suppose...I do teach them a few things on occasion. But all my students are volunteers, I would never ask them to do something unless they were willing."

"What do you teach?" Joey asked in all innocence, not understanding the implications.

"You're sweet ... I teach love, Joey ... and sometimes a little mathematics on the side."

Now Joey understood, and he blushed at his own ignorance. This man was really complicated and that meant he would have to be careful. They took another taxi back to the store and Richard paid the driver. Joey had noticed the wad of bills in Richard's pocket never seemed to grow any smaller, even though the man had paid for the lunch with a hundred dollar bill.

Richard found him a broom and Joey swept out the store and the sidewalk in front of the store. By three o'clock he had completed the chore and he went back inside. It occurred to him that the whole time he had been there that not one single customer had come into the store. How did Richard make all this money?

Joey looked at the guitars on the wall and realized he didn't know anything about them. He knew Richard was watching him through the glass and he smiled back at the man.

"You finished?" Richard asked.

"I guess ... anything else you want done?"

"I suppose not ... why don't you quit for the day and go home. I won't need you tomorrow either; I have a doctor's appointment."

"Are you sick?" Joey asked.

"No, I have to go see the dentist."

"I never been to one of those guys," Joey admitted.

"Really ... do you brush your teeth every day?"

"I don't have a toothbrush. Not since I was ten, I guess," Joey admitted.

Richard frowned. "Would you like to visit the dentist with me?"

"What for?"

"To get your teeth cleaned," Richard said. "You don't brush every day and you'll get cavities. Then your teeth start to hurt and...well, it can cause you a whole lot of problems."

"So you want me to go with you?" Joey asked.

"I really think you should...say ten o'clock?"

Joey thought a minute. Maybe he would get to ride in another taxi, and then, well, maybe Richard would buy him another lunch.

"Ok ... I'll be here," Joey said.

"I think that's smart, my dear. You have to take care of yourself, you know." Richard handed Joey a small cardboard box. "Don't open this until you get back to the house, it's just a little gift from me to you ... OK?"

Joey nodded. He'd never been given a gift for no reason, this was a first. He grabbed Richard in a quick hug and ran out the door to the sounds of the man's laughter. A block away Joey opened the box and saw the gold watch inside. He stopped and thought a minute, and rather than turning down towards Benny's, he turned uphill. Robby lived on Butcher's Hill.


On to Chapter Four

Back to Chapter Two

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"Whistler's Club" Copyright © 2010 by Chris James. All rights reserved.
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