By T J Tuner, Sonny Turner and Curt Chown:
1979- Sonny is promoted to General Manager and is in charge of the business section of his job in lower Manhattan. His work hours are ten to six. He loves it.
One Monday morning, a new employee comes in. His name is John L. Reilly. He happens to be Candy’s ex boyfriend. At first, Sonny sees no major problems. John doesn't know Sonny married Candy.
When Sonny goes home that night, he tells Candy about it and his wife tells him that was in the past. Overall, it was a normal day and night.
1982- Sonny comes home from work and is told by his wife that Ruth called. They are going out to dinner with Ruth to meet her new boyfriend.
Sonny has no problem with it. He will be going to an early meeting.
Saturday - They are at a restaurant and Candy realizes that Ruth’s new boyfriend is her old boyfriend John. Just before coffee arrives, Candy and Ruth go to the ladies room to discuss something.
In the ladies room, Candy says to Ruth ‘This man is a con artist. He used to be my boyfriend before I met Sonny. I am told he is on the verge of losing his job. Walk away.” Ruth says ‘We are in love.’
Candy tells Ruth she has been warned.
That night, before bed Candy says to Sonny ‘I told Ruth about John. She doesn't listen.’ Sonny says ‘I am going to talk to executives about John. He is lucky he wasn't arrested for what he did.’
They go to bed.
A couple of days later, John meets Sonny at the job.
John says ‘Can I talk to you privately?’
Sonny says ‘Sure’
John says ‘I have to go to meetings for ninety consecutive days and I need to bring papers to verify I went to a meeting because I am going to court.’
Sonny ‘Who told you to drink on the job?’
John tells Sonny ‘You ain't perfect. When you were still drinking, I slept with your wife.’ Sonny says ‘I already know about it. If you say anything bad about my wife, you will pay. Now get back to work before I report to you.’
Sonny tells Candy he had a bad day at work and he will be going to a meeting. He will take everyone out on Saturday.
Candy wants Sonny to relax.
A couple of weeks later, Sonny is in the Brooklyn VA hospital. Candy visits. Candy says’ Everything turned out great. I will be here everyday and Mom is taking care of the kids. So don't worry. Your father is coming three times a week to help out.’ They kiss, and she leaves.
Later that day, the doctor says to Sonny ‘You can leave for the weekend, but you have to be back Sunday night. You can leave Friday morning.’
Sonny says ‘That is great. I will do that.’
Saturday morning- Sonny is at a Par meeting when Angelo comes up to him and says ‘How long have you been out of rehab?’
Angelo leaves before a response is given. Curt says to Sonny quietly ‘After the meeting, I have to talk to you about your supposed friends.’
After the meeting, Curt drives Sonny home when he says ‘Pal, your people are stabbing you in the back.’
Sonny asks ‘Who?’
Curt replies ‘Hobo, B T Kid and John.’
Sonny wants to know why. Curt tells him because they are jealous of him. When he is at his home, Sonny sends his regards to Curt’s family and Curt says he will call him soon. Sonny goes back to the hospital as planned and Curt and Tom visit.
Tom says ‘Rumors are going around that you are drinking and in detox. So get a letter from your doctor saying why you are here.’
Sonny asks ‘Are they the same people?’
Tom replies ‘Yeah.’
Sonny says ‘I will see you guys Saturday and I will present the letter.’
Tom says ‘We will see you before that.’
A month later, Sonny is discharged. He is seeing his doctor once a week and will eventually go back to his job.
Sonny is home with his wife and the buzzer rings. Candy answers it and has to ask who it is? It ends up being Ruth. Candy presses the buzzer to let Ruth in. Ruth gets to the door and Candy sees the bruises. John did it and Ruth is scared. Candy takes her in and has coffee. Later, Candy talks to Sonny about what happened.
Candy says ‘Ruth is being abused by John. I told her she can stay the night and in the morning we will go to the police.’
Sonny calls John and says he wants to see him at the restaurant at 10 am. At the restaurant Sonny tells John that Ruth and Candy will call the police and press charges. If John comes near them, Sonny will kill him. John lets Sonny know he isn't a saint either. ‘Remember Lee in Seoul? Remember the pool of blood?’
Sonny reminds John that the charges were dropped.
John says ‘That’s what you say. You are not a good guy. I will see you.’
John walks out.
Later on, Sonny and Tom are at the coffee club called Ralph Avenue membership meeting. The chairman is Paul Em. Aka the bishop, because of his strong religious beliefs. ‘Members, I would like to report that money was stolen from the treasury. We believe it is Hobo and his crew. We want it stopped. It was unprovoked. We want to bar him. Does anyone want to say anything?’
Sonny raises his hand. ‘I would like to remind the membership of his conduct, I was told that I was wrong about him. You claimed he was misunderstood because of his upbringing. You guys accused me of drinking, while I was in the hospital, knowing the information came from his crew. You protected him. So should I. This isn't part of P.A.R. This is an independent organization.’ Sonny sits down.
The bishop says ‘Let’s take a vote to take action against Hobo and his cronies.’ Out of nine votes, four were yes, four were no and one was undecided.
After the meeting, the bishop wants to talk to Sonny
The bishop says ‘Laddy!’
Sonny says ‘Yes, Bishop.’
The Bishop says ‘We were wrong about you and we deeply apologize. I will still recommend you for re-election to the council. Any action you take, I will understand.God bless you.’ Sonny says ‘When I get home, I will call you.’
Sonny calls his mentor up and tells him what happened.
His mentor tells Sonny ‘Read suggestions C,F and I in the sober book. Call me tomorrow and we will see what happens.’
Sonny calls back his mentor the next day. ‘I read the chapters yesterday and I understand the meaning of surrender, humility and forgiveness.’
His mentor says ‘ You have to be willing to follow those words ‘
They would be in contact again soon.
………………………………..
One day a female enters West Street. The woman goes over to Sonny and wants to know who is doing the hiring there.
Sonny says ‘You have to see Bo, the general manager.’
He points in the direction of the office.
Half an hour later, the female leaves Bo’s office.
Bo comes to Sonny and says ‘Do you know that female who left? She said you know her boyfriend and would give him a good recommendation.’
Sonny says ‘I know her boyfriend because he used to work under me. Her boyfriend is lucky he isn't in jail.’
Bo says ‘I will call her and say we don't need her boyfriend. They call me Big Bad Bo? They should call you Big Bad white boy.’
They both laugh.
Later on, Sonny gets a phone call from his mother stating that his father is in the hospital. Afterwards, Sonny goes to Mary Queen of Heaven hospital in Brooklyn.
After the visit and talking to the doctor, Sonny goes home.
When he is home, Sonny talks to Candy. No one knows how long his father will be in the hospital, but Candy figures she can help his mother and have Stella take care of the kids. Candy will pay for it. Sonny thinks it is a great idea and will run it through the rest of his family. Candy will want Sonny to talk to Stella. Sonny will do it tomorrow.
Sonny talks to Stella in the kitchen the next day. Sonny tells her that his wife will be taking care of the kids three days a week for four hours a day and you will be paid forty five dollars a week. Stella calls him sir and Sonny tells Stella to call him Sonny and his wife is Candy. Sonny tells her ‘My wife will show you around the house tomorrow. Also, when we are gone, you are in charge and if they get out of line, you are allowed to use punishment,but not too harsh.’ Stella comments ‘I know your kids. They aren't like that.’
Sonny is adding another 15 dollars to her payment. His wife will pay half on the day Stella starts and the other half when the day is done.
Stella replies ‘Thank you.’
The next day, after coming home from work, Sonny sees Ruth talking to Candy again. Candy tells Sonny ‘Ruth put John in jail for abuse.’
Sonny replies ‘And? What do you want me to do?’
Candy tells Sonny that Ruth regrets her decision.
‘Ruth wants to stay here for a couple of days, again.’
Sonny says ‘No! I am telling her to leave after she eats and drinks! I am getting tired of all of this!’
Candy tells Ruth to leave. Just for Ruth to call.Ruth leaves and says something. Sonny shows her the door.
A few hours later, the phone rings. Candy answers it. She finds out something shocking and will make sure she tells Sonny.
When Sonny comes home from work, he sees Candy crying. He wants to know what happened. Candy tells him that his father died. Sonny doesn't take it well. Candy wants him to call his mother. Sonny does and his mother tells him the bad news. Sonny tells his mother over the phone ‘I will see you tomorrow.’
That night, Sonny cries over his father's death, in bed with Candy. She comforts him. …………………………………………….
At Sonny's father’s funeral the priest gives the eulogy:
The priest was Father Edwards. He delivered it with these words ‘We lay to rest a man with a lot of conviction. A solid worker for the government. A church goer. A man that provided for his family. We have lost a saint among us. It is definitely a sad day for his friends and family. He is in a better place, with God. Words cannot express the sadness of this man’s passing. The grief is so great, that the patriarch will be missed for generations. Everyday will seem harder, but with the guidance of God, the pain will be easier, but not forgotten. The Lord will be watching over the family as they make the transition of life without the head of household. We will be watching the family. Anytime, anywhere. Under the leadership of God, everyone will get through this heartache and pain. Everyone who knew him, knew that when you needed a helping hand, he was there. We will do the same. In closing, we will bless the family and help them through this heartache. We will now proceed to go to the grave site.’
…………………………………….
The reading of the will had Sonny’s mother get 50 percent of what the father had and the kids got 15 percent each and 5 percent went to a private charity.
Author’s note: This is part two of the first short story ‘Year One’ and part three will be out soon.
Bio:
I was born in Brooklyn, NY June 30th 1972. I currently have three ebooks online on kobo. I
know I never meant that much to you, secession and sovereignty and Oh, Canada. I am
currently trying to get a few of my short stories published or recognized or plays getting
produced. I have written a lot of plays and am currently in the process of writing several novels.
I am working on a baseball book, as well. I don't have anything else published other than the
three ebooks. Thank you for your time. Sincerely yours, Thomas Turner.