Venture Forward by Kristen Luciani

Author:Kristen Luciani [Luciani, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing
Published: 2016-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“HEY, CAN YOU GRAB me another board from the shed?” Paul wiped his forehead with a t-shirt. “Jesus, it’s hot out here.”

The blistering sun seared his skin as he and Darryl prepped equipment for the next group of kids. Even a slight breeze didn’t do much to relieve the heat exhaustion resulting from running boards up and down the beach.

“Yeah.” Darryl dropped another board on the sand and tossed Paul a can of wax.

“What’s going on, man? You’re pretty quiet today.”

“Just thinking, I guess. What’s the plan for the next group?”

“You guys will pair up with them on the community service activities, refurb work, and surfing lessons. Kind of like mentors.”

A swift nod. Darryl drummed his fingers on the surfboard and stared at the water.

“Are you going to tell me what’s up, or do I have to beat it out of you?”

“I just don’t know how I’m gonna be able to swing this whole thing, you know? I managed to get a break from my part-time jobs for the past couple of months, but my ma, she’s been hassling me lately. She’s gonna need my help again, and I-I don’t know if I can stay with the program. It’s been real hard, and money is mad tight. I’m the man of the house now. I need to provide for my family.“

“Hey, I get it. I’ve been there. I know things have been rough, but I’m going to help you get a real job so you won’t have to worry about taking care of them, okay?”

“They need so much, and I’m the only one who can help.”

“Why is this coming up now? Is it because of the program, or did something happen?”

“It’s, um… it’s Miguel, he made me an offer—”

“Don’t you ever speak to that scumbag again. His offers will get you killed. What good will you be to your family then?” Paul pressed his fingers to his forehead. “Listen, I know the money’s tempting, but you escaped. If you get caught up with those guys again—”

“You don’t get it. Every day I struggle with what the hell I’m gonna do next, how I’m gonna get out of this shithole. Where am I going? Who’s gonna hire me? At least if I was part of Miguel’s crew—”

“You’d end up dead or in jail. The whole reason you got into this program was because you wanted to start over. You think working for Miguel is the easy way out, but it’s the worst decision you can make.”

“My dad is such a fucking bastard for leaving us.”

“Trust me, you’re better off. You don’t need him around, poisoning your life and hurting you and your family. You’re a smart kid with a lot of talent. Think about it. Don’t you want to go to college, play ball, maybe get a scholarship?”

“Yeah…”

“Tell me how working for Miguel is going to get you there. Oh right. It can’t. He can get you a first-class ticket all right… either to prison or a morgue. I want to help, but I can’t do much if you get yourself mixed up with that shit again.

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