Stay Sweet

 

Frank had agreed with Anders and his men to sell some weaponry through CJ’s garage. When Anders’ men came to collect the money from the sold weapons they had found out he was a few thousand short. All the guns and ammo were gone. They were a little less than happy. CJ blamed Frank since Frank was the one with the key. Frank name dropped Sam saying he needed money for school. Sam doesn’t go to school.

The sudden purchases of expensive baby clothes, blankets, crib, stroller, and the rent being caught up without explanation for where the money came from suddenly all makes sense. “Oh Frank.”  It was probably all CJ’s idea, but Frank doesn’t know when to stop or what he should or shouldn’t do. Fast money? Frank is a big fan.

“So my dear, boy… I’m out five thousand dollars and are you prepared to pay that back?” Anders has moved around to the front of the desk next to Sam’s chair. His knee is too close to Sam. Everything is too close to Sam.

“Uh.” It’s hard to swallow while Sam tries quickly to add up how much he gets paid from the grocery store and the money from his tutoring jobs… he wouldn’t be able to pay anything else for long while. They’d all have to downsize to a tiny house or a nice quiet back alley. Sam bites his lip hard to make sure he wasn’t having a nightmare.

“I thought so… I have an idea!” Anders straightens up quickly and goes back to the chair behind the desk and safely away from Sam.

“What?” The loud outburst draws Sam’s eyes over to the completely forgotten presence of Jack by the window. The other two guys that brought him in left during Anders’ story of Frank’s betrayal. “I thought you were just going to make the boy pay you back? Out of wages. Have him live on the streets. Ruin their lives for awhile.”

“I changed my mind.” Anders’ voice goes from being almost singsong in delight to quietly restrained rage by Jack’s outburst. “Don’t question me again.” Jack’s jaw clenches and he turns back around to stare out the window. Sam can’t help but wonder why Jack is still in the room, but he’s glad for not being alone with Anders. “You can take your brother’s place and when I get what I want from you… you will be allowed to leave.” His pale slender fingers form a temple on the desk. “It’s up to you… or we cut an appendage off Franklin each month you’re late with my money. Starting with his fingers and then his hands.”

“WHAT?” Sam is up and out of his chair before he knows what he’s doing. There is no way he’ll allow his brother to get hurt. A strong arm lands heavily on Sam’s shoulder keeping him from moving. “What do you mean late? How long do I have? …Please Frankin’s going to be a dad soon… his girlfriend is probably worried about him.”

Sam looks up to Jack who seems to be a thousand feet tall. He’s an immovable force keeping him from leaving. Sam stares into his hard eyes trying to see if Jack would let Anders do what he says he will. He doesn’t know why, but the blankness offends him.

“The deadline for the return of my money was two months ago… so say goodbye to his opposable thumbs. I guess Franklin won’t be able to show his precious baby how to tie any shoelaces.” Anders’ voice is calm and matter of fact. It doesn’t sit well with Sam.

“You can’t do that!” Sam’s knees give out and he lands heavily on the seat cushion sending up a tiny cloud of dust. Jack’s hand is still on his shoulder.

“I can and will… actually I won’t since this suit is new and blood is a bitch to get out…” Anders plucks at his sleeves daintily. “Jack will do it. Won’t you, Jack?” He looks over to Jack with a cruel smile upon his face.

“I have before.” Jack removes his hand and goes back to staring out the window.

“But… but I can take my brother’s place? So it would be my thumbs instead?” Sam unconsciously fiddles with his fingers. “I can get Velcro shoes…”

“Oh god no. I wouldn’t dream of ruining such perfect hands… May I?” Anders reaches his hands out over the desk, palms up. Sam reluctantly places his own on the edge of the desk within viewing range, but not touching. “Come now, don’t be shy.” Anders’ cold fingers wrap around his own and slowly stroke. “No… I’d never give a command to harm these.”

“Wh-what would you have me do?” Sam tries to keep the rage and disgust out of his voice which just ends up making him sound weak and tired… which isn’t a lie.

“Odd jobs here and there… you’d come to my offices and stay at my estate.” Anders’ stare is fixed to Sam’s fingers and a gleeful smile is on his face. “You’d have to do what I say… when I say. If I tell you to sell weapons like your brother, then you’ll do it. If I tell you to dust, you dust. Tell you to laugh at my jokes… you’ll laugh like you’ve never laughed before.” His grip tightens around Sam’s fingers painfully. “And you mean it.”

“Fine!” Sam quickly pulls his hands out of Anders’ vice grip. He doesn’t realize he’s actually said anything until his gaze goes back up to Anders. “Oh… yeah okay.” And with that Sam’s soul feels as if it is no longer his own. He just wishes he could wipe off that dreadful glee that’s plastered all over Anders’ face… he’s already grown to hate that smile.

“We’ll leave at once!” Anders stands up quickly and rushes past where Sam is sitting to the door.

“Can’t I tell Frank what’s happening?” Sam has to turn around in his chair to see Anders who opens the door before spinning around. “Say goodbye to him?”

“Jack’ll tell him.” And without another word Anders starts walking away.

“Can I give you a note to give him at least?” Sam tries pleading with Jack’s back since he hasn’t turned around from the window.

“What?” Jack seems surprised by Sam paying him any attention. “Oh… right. Yes you can.” He takes out a slip of blank notebook paper and a tiny pencil from his jacket pocket. Sam grabs it and starts scribbling quickly.

“Frankie, Don’t hang out with CJ. Sell my things if you need to, but nothing illegal. Stay out of trouble.. Keep trying to find Dad. Get a haircut. You better name that kid after me.

I love you, Sam.”

Sam folds the paper several times and hands it back. Everything seems blurry and muffled. He just wants to go back to his tiny house and be kept up all night by his noisy neighbors. He already misses his cat, Johnson. Sam’s life is changing too quickly and he’s never been too fond of change. “Thank you.” He unconsciously pockets the tiny pencil and stands up numbly to follow after Anders. His whole body feels like lead.

“Wipe your eyes first.” Jack once again places his hand on Sam’s shoulder and that heaviness seems to sink all the way down to his stomach. “Don’t let him see you cry. He loves weakness.”

“I’m not…” Sam touches his eyes and realizes the blurriness wasn’t just the signs of an oncoming panic attack, but tears. He wonders why Jack, the man who would have cut his brother’s fingers off, would bother with that small nicety. “I don’t know what…”

“Block it all out.” Jack looks at him franticly as if this is the last chance to tell him something important. “Pretend it’s all a dream.” Their eyes lock and Sam doesn’t think he’ll ever be able to look away. “Shut yourself down until he’s had his fun.”

“Why is he doing this?” Jack’s eyes dart away and stay away from Sam’s gaze. “Will you help me?”

“I can’t… I’m not here to make friends with you, Sam.” Jack’s eyes are cold and his face goes back to being blank.

“You’re not here to make friends?” Sam feels oddly like laughing. “This isn’t a reality tv show! You can’t say things like that in real life.” If Alison was around… she’d be holding her belly with laughter. Frank would be in the background rolling his eyes at the stupid joke.

“What are you talking about?” Jack’s eyes aren’t as cold as they were a moment before, and his expression is one of worry… as if he knows Sam is going insane. His expression only causes Sam to laugh out loud. “What?”

“I’m not Tyra Banks.” Sam giggles and feels wonderfully lightheaded.

“What?”

“Say what again!”

“Why?”

Sam passes out.

A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews! The feedback really help. I'd give out my livejournal account for my other writing, but I've locked that up which is why I'm now here.  I keep thinking the chapters are longer, but then I post them here and they are tiny! I'll start combining the chapters I guess? But keep letting me know what you think!