I was getting myself ready for the day in a pair of jeans and a sweater when I heard a loud bang almost identical to a gunshot next door. Hearing gunshots was typical in Detroit and after living here most of my life I was used to it. But nonetheless I was still curious and made my way outside into the frigid Detroit air to the mercer household next door.
I grew up next door to the mercers my entire life. Evelyn Mercer was like a mother to me and always took care of me and it was still sad to think that she wasn't here anymore. Along with Evelyn lived her four boys. The oldest Bobby treated me like a little sister he was overprotective and was always there to take care of me. Over the years I missed Bobby a lot after he left because it was sometimes years between visits. But ever since his mothers death 6 months ago Bobby seemed to have made a permanent home in the old house he used to live in. Next was Jeremiah the sensible one who would always help me with my homework and make sure I didn't turn into another typical Detroit whore, not that, that would have happened anyway but Jerry was always making sure I was safe. Jeremiah stayed in Detroit living in a house with his wife and two daughters so I saw him a lot more than the others. But since 6 months ago I see him almost every day. Third on the list was Angel, Angel was the player of the group, with a Spanish girlfriend, Sofi, attached to his hip. Angel was almost as protective towards me as Bobby. He took good care of me and always acted as the typical older brother. All three of them were the big brother type, always looking out for me and making sure no one was there to hurt me. But then there was Jack, Jack and I, well lets just say we never had that brother, sister relationship, there was always something more between us. We dated in high school and it went even farther then that for me because you see Jack was my first and still so much more. We went out for a long time but then Jack moved to New York to pursue a career and I went with him for awhile but then we had a fight and I got scared and left and came back here to Detroit. Then when he came back for awhile when his mom died we started up again and it was great I realized how much I missed him and how deeply I cared about him but then 3 ½ months ago he left again for New York this time not asking me to go with him and barely a goodbye. I spent the first weeks upset and crying and blaming myself but with the constant reassurances from Bobby and the others that "its not your fault there was just some things Jackie had to do." I cant tell you how many times I got that line from Bobby. Then I spent the next weeks angry and hurt and hating everything. Then I accepted it and decided that it was something he had to do. I didn't date or have any one-night stands I missed him too much even though I ran scared when it got serious. I accepted it but I was still hurt, angry and upset but its how I delt with my life I accepted things the best I could, kept them to myself and always tried to hide my feelings and be the strong one.
I made my way up the stairs and as I got closer I heard a lot of yelling I didn't even bother to knock I just opened the door, walked in and prepared my self for the yelling. And the first voice I heard was Bobby shouting at Sofi.
"Jesus La vida loca why the fuck would you pick up a gun you shot it through the fucking window"
"Take it easy Bobby she didn't mean it" I heard Angel interject.
I walked in the kitchen to see the back door window shot out and Bobby, Angel and Sofi standing around the kitchen table
"Jesus what the fuck happened here" I asked. "La vida loca was being nosy and picked up my gun and accidentally pulled the fucking trigger and shot it through the window"
"Im sure she didn't mean it" trying to get Bobby to lower his voice.
"Anyway why are you here Bear?" he asked while walking into the living room and a nervous glance towards the stairs. Bear that was there nickname for me Bear, Sweetcheeks and Jack used to call me Blair Bear.
" Besides the fact that I heard a gunshot, just thought I'd stop by" I said while sitting on the couch next to Sofi reading a magazine.
"Yea how long is your ass gonna be here" Angel asked with the same glance toward the stairs.
"I don't know… why are you sick of me already" I asked but then I heard someone coming down the stairs and nothing could prepare me for what happened next.
"Bobby what the hell, what's all the noise I just got off of a flight and all I want is to sleep"
That voice I've known that voice for over half my life but I haven't heard it once in 3 months. My heart stopped at the moment and a rush of emotions and thoughts flew through me. Anger, fear, why didn't he tell me he was here? Why didn't Bobby or Angel say something.
Jack came down the stairs and rounded the corner into the living room he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me. The color seemed to slightly drain from his face but he quickly recovered. He looked from me to Bobby to Angel then back to me then did this about 3 times before he fully stepped into the living room. I glared at Bobby and Angel for not giving me a warning. This must have been what those looks were about. There was a period of awkward silence until I finally recovered and began talking first.
"Hey, your home" I wanted to slap myself for this out of all the things I could say this is what comes out of my mouth.
"Hey Blair, how umm how are you"
"Im good" I answered as we sort of just stared at each other unsure of what to say, until Bobby interrupted.
"Ok were over all the fucking introductions you two deal with your shit later right now we have bigger problems."
"Yea you two mine as well just fuck and get it over with, I mean its not like you haven't before" Angel said with a laugh.
Jack and I just glared daggers at him until I remembered what Bobby said.
"What do you mean wehave bigger problems to deal with what problems Bobby" I asked.
"Yea what problems Angel you never told me anything" Sofi whined.
"Im sorry baby it just wasn't the time" Angel answered walking over.
"Nothing for you to really worry about sweet cheeks it just that there's been some shit going around time about there being some people that aren't too happy that we made Sweet into a fucking ice cube." Bobby answered me.
"And last night on the way home from the airport some car tried to drive me and Bobby off the road" Jack said looking at me for a reaction. I tried to keep my face blank but it was hard considering all the information I was just now receiving.
"Jerry also heard some overheard some cops talking shit when he was at the diner." Angel said.
"Do you know who it is?" I asked looking at Bobby.
"Yea we have an idea."
"Well?" Sofi asked, looking at Bobby tapping her foot.
"Don't get a fucking attitude with me La vida loca"
"Bobby just answer the damn question" I said getting annoyed.
"His names Danny Carcy, he's a badass around here in Detroit but about 6 years ago he was put in jail and nobody really heard much of him. Supposedly him and Sweet were running shit together."
Just then Jeremiah walked in the door with a very pissed off look.
"Hey Jerry" Jack said walking towards him.
"Hey Jackie how are ya?" Jerry said pulling Jack into a hug.
Before Jack could answer anything Bobby started grilling Jerry.
"Hey you find anything out"
"Nothing that we don't already know. We got a bunch of people really hating us right now that don't give a fuck about what they do."
"From what I remember Carcy had more cops on his pay roll than Sweet" Angel said.
As Angel said the name again something clicked in my head and I had to ask.
"Hey Carcy did he have a younger brother?" I asked, Jack instantly looked at me like he was trying to see what I was getting at.
"Yea…I think so. Why sweet cheeks you got something to tell us?" Bobby asked a little more accusingly then he would have.
"Chill Bobby hear her out" Jack said jumping in to my defense.
"That's what I'm trying to do" Bobby said.
"Ok….all I was trying to say was that I…we went to school with a Mike Carcy" I said indicating me and Jack.
"You never told us anything Fairy" Bobby said looking towards Jack.
"That's because I don't remember" Jack said turning from Bobby to me looking for an explanation.
"Yea you do Jack remember he asked me out a about two weeks after we started dating and you got pissed off and beat the crap out of him" I said and Jack smiled proud of himself.
"Yea yea that was until his buddies came then you came running to us" Angel said. The smile immediately faded from Jacks face.
"Wait sweet cheeks are you telling me that you dated a Carcy?" Bobby asked.
"No I already said I was going out with Jack when he asked me besides he was a fucking jerk and not my type, he seemed to always disappear" I answered looking towards Jack, who was about to say something back when Bobby interrupted.
"Well Angel and I got some people we have to go visit, Jerry you coming with us?" he asked.
"Nah…I gotta drop the girls off for a play date and I'm already late so I'll see ya all later." Jerry said heading toward the door.
"You have fun playing Barbie Jer, maybe you should take Jackie with you sounds like he'll have fun." Bobby shouted.
"Bye Jerry" I shouted.
"Hey Sofi baby why don't you go out to the store and get us some food" Angel said.
"yea and have dinner cooked by the time we get back la vida loca." Bobby said.
"Say it again Bobby and see if I ever feed you again" Sofi said as she kissed Angel and walked out towards the door.
"yeah that's right vamanos" Bobby said, "Jackie you stay here and work your shit out with Blair, we'll see you all in a little while" He said walking toward the door, with Angel on his heels.
"Yea ya'll work your shit out and don't nothing I wouldn't little brother" Angel said smiling walking out the door and leaving Jack and I alone.
"O and Blair don't go to far ok?" Bobby said poking his head back in.
"I can handle myself….Goodbye Bobby." I said just as I heard the front door slam shut.