Forgotten Love and Goodbyes – Ch. 3

After going through the first encounter with Leon, Akisha finished getting dressed. She went downstairs, had some breakfast and got into her car to head to Benny's. Akisha drove a 2000 Honda Civic that was electric blue. A sliver dragon each adorned her hood and roof, purple and black flames blazed on the sides. She went back to when she first met Benny and the others. At first she was still weary about meeting the rest of the team, but with the assurance of Leon, her doubts were lifted. As she drove up to the house, she saw the gang's cars plus Leon's. She wondered what he was doing here, she specifically told him not to come, knowing Benny's feelings. She parked her car near Leon's and got out. As she walked up the driveway, she saw Benny talking to Leon, the rest of the gang standing behind Benny. Benny was a chubby Mexican in his 20s with a shaved head. He was a champion street racer in Mexico, till a racing accident crushed his career. The rest of the gang included a Jamaican named Marcus, a Japanese brother and sister named Cho and Tai, and a Latina named Mija (pronounced Mi-ha) plus Rico and Mario. Benny had an angered look on his face as he spoke to Leon. Benny saw Akisha come up and waved hello. Hey chica how's my champ?"

"Fine Benny," she said smiling

"Look who's back," he said gesturing to Leon.

"We got reacquainted this morning."

"Did he explain to you why he's been gone all this time?" Akisha shook her head. "He told me he was helping a friend run from the cops, isn't that true Leon?"

"Um yes," said Leon quietly.

"At first I didn't believe him until I looked up this Jessie friend of his, turns out he was telling the truth, because of some crime they were a part of up in LA. He decided to come back here to hide out from the cops."

"Is that true?" said Akisha to Leon. She couldn't believe that was the reason, that Leon was some criminal running from the law; something he told her he'd never become.

"Yeah it's all true," he said not able to look her in the eye.

"Now he tells me he wants to make amends, I don't know if I should trust him. What do ya think Marcus you're good at finding the truth?"

"Don't know mon, me tink he's telling the truth. Let him race, we see if he's worthy," he said giving the eye to Leon.

"Well Leon if Marcus believes you then I do. Come to the race tonight and we'll see; you win we forgive you, ya lose and you're on your own. You do know where the race is do you?"

"Yeah Akisha told me where."

"Yo Benny food's ready," said a girl about sixteen shouting from the backyard fence.

"Thanks Cheryl, wanna join Leon?"

"Sure if it's okay?"

"Why not, c'mon," Benny and the others headed to the backyard. Benny backyard was medium with two large trees in the back, a barbeque, a patio set and a swing set. Cheryl gave everyone a plate and set a plate of hamburgers and buns on the table. Benny and Cheryl's mom came out carry a large bowl of potato salad, followed by Chiqui, their five year old cousin, who cared the bottles of ketchup, mustard and relish. The mom took them from her and set them on the table.

"Enjoy yourselves guys, I'll be back with the iced tea and lemonade," said the mom.

"Thanks Rita," said Tai

"See ya later," said Cheryl as she followed the other two inside.

While they sat down and ate, Leon could tell that the others weren't too pleased with him and what he'd dome while away from them. Leon couldn't help but feel guilty for no telling them before. He also wondered what the gang in LA were up to. He knew Vince was headed to the hospital, but not much bout the others. He decided to call Mia as soon as he got back home. "So Leon what kind of stuff did you do?" said Mija tying her hair into a ponytail.

"Yeah what about these crimes, what'd you do, steal?" said Cho biting into her hamburger.

"Yeah I stole," he replied as the crowed responded with woahs

"What cars, money?" said Mija.

"No it was component systems, DVD players, VCRs, etc."

"Must've been good stuff?" said Tai "must've been a lot of stores to clean out."

"It wasn't stores we stole from, it was big rigs."

"Big rigs, how da hell did you do that?" asked Rico. Leon went into the whole story of how he and the rest of the team stole the equipment from the trucks. The group was really impressed and surprised how his team was able to keep it going like they did. When he told them about Brian and how he blew the whole operation, they were peeved and finally understood why he came back.

"Well guys thanks for the food, I'll see ya later. I gotta get back home and get my car ready," said Leon as he got up from the table.

"Sure thing Leon, remember bout tonight," said Benny.

"I will," Leon left the table, got into his car and drove home. He was glad that Benny was going to give him a second chance. He considered him lucky since Benny was one who gave few second chances

When he got home, he went to the phone and dialled the Toretto housed, Mia answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Mia it's me."

"Leon, is that you, where are you?"

"I'm back home is Frisco."

"San Fran, why?" she replied confused.

"I came here after we got back to the house I figured no one would find me here."

"We've been really worried about you, Vince's still in the hospital, and I heard from Dom that Letty met him in Mexico."

"What about Jessie?"

"Jessie's dead," she began to sob.

"Dead how, why?" Leon was shocked to hear that his friend was dead.

"He eventually came back to the house and Johnny caught up with him. Johnny just started to open fire and shot Jessie in the process."

"Did he die instantly?"

"Yeah, Dom and Brian took off after Johnny. They were able to stop him and his cousin"

"What about Brian where is he?"

"Miami."

"Miami, what's he doing there?"

"Got a call from him when he got there, he was running from the cops," said Mia as she wiped her tears.

"Why was he running from them?" Leon asked, wondering what Brain could've done to anger his fellow cops.

"Dom was attempting to race off with our Brian noticing. Brian was able to catch up with Dom. Then there was this accident where Dom got hurt and Brian helped him out. Instead of bringing Dom in, Brian let him go."

"Man that must've been hard for Bri. So how's Vince, did he survive his injuries?"

"Just barely, he lost a lot of blood from his wounds that they had to give him a blood transfusion once he got to the hospital."

"What about his arm, is he gonna be able to keep it?" said Leon as he remembered the huge spiral cut than ran down the length of Vince's arm.

"Yeah, but he almost lost it because of so much damage to the muscle. You should really come and see him, he's want it," Mia said pleading.

"I'm not sure, what about the cops are they still watching the place?"

"No they're long gone."

"Maybe I'll come then, I'll let you know Mia, bye for now."

"Bye Leon," said Mia as she hung up the phone. Leon hung his phone up and put it back on its base. He sat down at the kitchen table, folded his arms and set his head on top. He then got up and began pacing the room. He thought about his conversation with Mia, and the events that just occurred. He thought about Jessie and Vince, two friends who were now at ends with life. Jessie was already dead, and Vince was fighting with his. All this thinking gave him a headache. He decided to go upstairs and take a nap before getting his car ready for the race.

To be continued