Jewish Noir by Wishnia Kenneth

Author:Wishnia, Kenneth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PM Press
Published: 2015-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

When I turned eight, Mom and Pop put me to work at the dry cleaners, weekends and summers. At first I had the menial jobs: collecting hangers, taking out the trash, sweeping up. Putting the plastic tags with the numbers in order. After I perfected those chores and aged a few years, my responsibilities increased.

When I turned seventeen, Pop started teaching me the other side of the family business, the part that took place in the stuffy, windowless back office. I was a fast learner, spurred on by the opportunity to make some money. And I made my money by collecting Pop’s money.

I’d been Pop’s right hand man for years until I got busted for cracking open Hammie O’Rourke’s skull during a collection that went south. Spent twenty-six months inside for aggravated assault, and when I got out, I left town, plenty aggravated, mostly at myself. For getting caught, for being involved in that life in the first place. I vowed never to spend another second behind bars.

So I moved away from the toxic environment called “home.” Working for Pop had been more lucrative, and—I’m ashamed to admit—a steadier source of employment than I’d been able to find since. I’d been scratching around in a few towns downstate, tending bar, working light construction, delivering packages while dressed in brown clothes. Nothing earthshattering. Of course, I hadn’t shattered anyone’s kneecaps, either.

But I’d hardly call my life comfortable.

Now my resolve to stay straight wavered. Threatening Hy had come so easily. More concerning, I’d felt a surge of adrenaline. And anger. The money that Hy stole from my parents? That was to be my money someday.

I hated getting ripped off. Maybe even more than Pop did.

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