Authors: Myles (Mickey) Golde
He grunted and looked away. “I know you do and I love the two of you. It’s just so hard when I see how you’ve lied to me.”
Shirley leaned over to hug him, but he pushed her away.
“Not now, just leave me alone.”
For the next three days, David attempted to see Howie, but had no luck. Sam Petrillo did meet with him; but was evasive about the details of the case against Howie and unable, or unwilling, to arrange for a visit. In frustration, David returned to Atlanta without saying goodbye to his mother.
The following evening, Jack Brown showed up at the house with a bag of Chinese appetizers and a bottle of wine. She picked at the food as he tried to console her at the kitchen table.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your son’s upset because he doesn’t understand what’s going on.”
Standing, she tightened the sash on her robe and refilled their wine glasses. Sitting back down she sipped at the wine and said softly, “I feel that we’ve lost him. He blames us for sending him away and
deceiving him
.”
“Shirley, he’s a man and from what you’ve told me, a damn smart one. He’s disappointed because he wants to help and doesn’t know what to do. My advice is leave him alone for awhile. He’ll come around.”
“You just don’t understand.”
“How much does he know about what is really going on? Sam Petrillo tells me your husband is not going to beat this rap and will go away for at least a few years. And does he know about Sally Ray? Maybe you should level with him.”
“Jacob, I can’t tell him. He thinks I’m in the real estate business. I’ve dreaded something like this and now it’s happened. I can’t bear the thought that David will turn his back on me, or his father, for that matter.”
“Aren’t you worried that he’ll do something foolish and cause trouble?”
“Jacob, I know my son, he is upset, but he understands what we have done. In the meantime he is going to be a doctor and will do nothing to upset his dream. You needn’t worry. He’s angry but not stupid. He lives in Atlanta and no one there knows about Howie and me. David is not about to change that, either in Atlanta or here.”
Holding the wine glass in two hands, Shirley closed her eyes.
Reaching for her hand Jack said quietly, “okay, I hear you, but be careful. The best thing is if everything about this case is handled as quietly as possible. That way your husband will go to trial quickly and be back in a few years. As far as the boy is concerned, he’ll be alright, be patient.
Lifting her from the chair he put his arms around her and held her, kissing the top of her head.
“Jacob, I know you have powerful friends. Can’t you do something?” she whispered. Without looking up, she felt his muscles tense.
“I tried and all I got was a stone wall. The DA is determined to play the trial out and keep this case in the public eye. Nobody is willing to interfere.”
She pulled away. “Please help me,” she shouted. “If he goes to prison, David will never forgive me. He thinks that Howie takes risks so he can make a lot of money to please me.”
He touched her arm but she shook him off, standing up and then burst into tears. “Don’t touch me. Go away. My family is being torn apart and no one cares.”
He backed away and waited as she stood sobbing softly. “I’m sorry, Shirley. I’ll make a few calls in the morning, but don’t get your hopes up. I’m gonna go now. Call me if you need me.”
Hearing the door close, she slipped into a chair, put her head in her hands and wondered how much Jack Brown cared about her and how much he was trying to soothe her to save his own skin.
By the time she went to bed, she’d decided that she didn’t have to trust him personally, but if she wanted to survive, she did have to trust him to keep her business going and pay Howie’s debt. At noon the following day, she returned to work.
In the weeks and months that followed the confrontation over Howie’s arrest David had not called. Shirley had left several messages for him, but he didn’t respond. She considered driving up to Atlanta, however running SR Enterprises, attempting to maintain her real estate business and juggling her finances was keeping her busy seven days a week. A visit with David would have to wait; at least until after the trial.
Arriving for a Saturday afternoon visit at the lock-up, five months after Howie’s arrest Shirley was ushered into the small cubicle where they could talk separated by a heavy glass partition. He was led in moments later fishing out a cigarette and lighting it as the guard with him backed away. Sitting, he kissed his fingers and placed his hand on the glass to cover hers, pressed to the other side. She whispered, “I love you,” focusing her misting eyes on his. He looked around nervously as if expecting someone to pounce on him at any moment, then leaned back in the metal chair.
Under his eyes there were dark circles and he looked thin in the loose prison issue khaki shirt and pants. His black hair, cut much shorter, appeared to be turning grey on the sides.
Smiling she asked, “How are you?”.
He shrugged, “okay, I guess. Sam Petrillo tells me I’m scheduled for trial in two months.”
“Did he say anything else?”
“Yeah, he thinks I’m screwed. That son of a bitch, I think he’s sellin’ me out, always cryin’ about how the DA is usin’ me to get publicity for his re-election.”
“I thought he knew everyone in the prosecutor’s office and would get you off; or at least a light sentence like he did last time you were arrested.”
Jamming out his cigarette, he growled,” this ain’t last time.”
She waited before replying softly, “You’ll be alright, Howie, I’m sure Petrillo will come through with something.”
Looking away he sighed and reached for another cigarette, “How’s David, how you handling this with him?”
“He’s fine, I haven’t talked with him much, but don’t worry, I’ll take care of it with him.”
He placed the cigarette in his mouth, but didn’t light it. Looking at her; his eyes narrowing to slits, he let out a deep breath hissing, “how come you didn’t tell me all this time that you were runnin’ the whores? I thought you were selling real estate.”
Pulling back, her hand flying to her mouth, she sputtered, “who tol
d you
?”
“Just cause I’ve been locked up for five months doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s goin’ on. I hear plenty. What I want to know is why didn’t you tell me?”
Sensing the cold way he asked, sent a shiver through her. It took a moment to answer.
“Look Howie, what did you expect me to do, sit around and not do anything, when Sal was all over me because you owed him ninety thousand dollars, “ Her voice suddenly harsh as she glared at him.
“And what about Paul Freed, I understand you’re workin’ for him. You bangin’ him too?”
“Look Howie, I report to him and what I do for a living is not your concern. Freed and I do business together and I’m trying to pay off your debt, that’s all you gotta’ know.”
“Yeah, well I don’t like it. That four eyes bastard Freed was always screwin’ and doin’ kinky shit with those broads and any other bitch he could lean on. There’s no way he could let you get away with what you’re doin’ without somethin’ on the side.”
“Forget about Freed, I said. I got it under control…… What do you want me to do, deal with Sal Farina, who had his filthy hands all over me two days after you were arrested and wanted me to become one of his whores.”
“Look Shirley I know you’re tough, but what do you know about runnin’ a bunch of broads.”
“You’d be surprised, so let’s leave it like that and if you don’t shut up about it, I’ll stop paying down your debt. So don’t bring it up again,” she whispered through clenched teeth.
They sat, neither talking for several minutes. Abruptly he ground out his unlit cigarette and got up, “I won’t forget this Shirley. Just remember everything I did was for you and David and stay away from Freed I don’t like that smart ass bastard. “
She watched him leave; his shoulders slumped as he walked to the door, not turning back. Slowly she got up and waited to see if he might change his mind before walking out.
She wasn’t sure if Howie was concerned about David finding out about her or was jealous of her taking his place. Either way she chose to ignore his threatening talk and was relieved that he hadn’t mentioned Jack Brown. He probably didn’t know as much as he thought he did. Returning to the car she was glad the visit was over.
The day of Howie’s sentencing, Shirley sat in the first row of the court room directly behind Howie and Petrillo. She had worn a charcoal grey pants suit with a plain white blouse and little make-up, wanting to appear neat and sincere sitting behind her husband. Her wavy blonde hair was brushed back away from her face.
As the Bailiff called the court to order, David slipped into the seat beside her after reaching over and shaking his father’s hand. He took her hand in his, whispering, “Hi Mom, thanks for letting me know about today. I’m sorry about not staying in touch with you the last few months, but I wanted to be here for the two of you today.”
He looked different than when she saw him last. His hair was shorter and he had on a navy sport coat with a white shirt and tie.
Hearing the judge order the 15 year sentence, she closed her eyes and reached out to touch Howie, who turned her way, as he was quickly hustled out of the court room by a guard. David leaned into her as she buried her face in his shoulder.
Petrillo, turned to them. “I’m sorry, the DA was determined to get Howie and the evidence against him was just too tough to fight, but maybe I can appeal or get the judge to reconsider the sentence.”
“Please Sam, not now,” Shirley whispered. “Get me out of here, David.” Putting his arm around her, he escorted her out of the court room. In the hallway she sighed and stood up straight facing David, holding his arms. “Can we meet later at the house? It’s important we talk, but I’ve got a few things that are urgent at my office.”
He nodded, “we definitely should talk, I’ll be there at five.”
At the court house parking lot David waited until he saw Shirley get her car. He followed her up Route 1 toward Fort Lauderdale and was surprised when she turned west to Dixie Highway around the northern boundary of Miami. She proceeded north on Dixie. Curious, he followed, allowing some distance between them and he saw her pull into a parking lot and go around to the back of the building. He continued on and made a U turn at the next corner to a spot across the road about a hundred yards away from where she turned in. The cream colored stucco building was neat but very plain. A one story structure with six large windows extending on each side of the white awning covered entrance. The small black scripted letters on the awning read, ”Club Dixie”.
Four late model cars were in the parking lot. Forty minutes later six more had arrived and two departed. All of the drivers were men with the exception of one couple; a stout grey haired man in a white short sleeved dress shirt accompanied by a petite young redhead wearing a print dress and high heels. Each rang the bell and were admitted.
Right after that a tall dark haired woman wearing a tan pants suit exited with a stocky man in a suit and walked him to his car. They chatted for a few minutes and he started to drive away. She waved and blew him a kiss before returning to the main entrance.
David waited another twenty minutes with no sign of Shirley, then left. Arriving at the house he let himself in and called her office at the real estate company. They said she was out and would be glad to take a message. He declined the offer, but asked when she would be in so he could call back. They didn’t know.
A little before five she pulled into the driveway. He was surprised by her change in appearance. The suit looked the same but she had shed the blouse. Her make-up was brighter too and her hair looked lighter and more stylish. As she got closer, he thought her finger nails appeared freshly polished as well. Rather dressed up he thought for a real estate agent.
“I’ve missed not talking to you,” she said softly as they hugged.
“I’ve missed you too. I’m sorry, but it was very hard for me to sort things out when I was here last time. I finally realized that I was taking my own anger out on you and Dad. It was wrong.”
“Don’t blame yourself, we were wrong too. You deserved the truth. It was not enough to just love you,” she answered. “Come let’s sit in the living room and talk. It’s been a long time.”
She sat on the corner of the couch near the large easy chair that he settled into.
“Can I get you something to drink?
He shook his head. “Let’s just talk. What’s next Mom, what are you going to do?”
“Well, I guess I’ll manage, the real estate business is getting better. I’m sure I’ll be okay.”
“That’s not what I mean, what about Dad, are you going to stay married?”
Shirley smiled, “Hmmm,” she said clasping her hands. “I haven’t thought about that yet. Much too much on my mind, with Dad and my business, it’s just been too much.”
“Mom there’s something going on, I can feel it,” he said softly. “Where were you today after we left the court? I tried reaching you and your office said they didn’t know where you were and hadn’t been around much lately.”
Rubbing her tongue across her upper lip Shirley hesitated. David cocked his head in her direction, his forehead creased, waiting.
Speaking slowly she said, “I had an appointment in downtown Fort Lauderdale and then went to the beauty parlor. Why do you ask?”
David let out a long breath and reached for her hand. “What about the stop you made in north Miami at the Club Dixie?” It seemed like some kind of private place.
Sliding back, both her hands at her face, she gasped. “How do you know?”
“I was following you when we left the courthouse and was surprised when you turned west off Federal Highway. It wasn’t on the way to your office or the house. And the neighborhood didn’t look like you belonged there. I couldn’t believe it, when I saw you pull into the parking lot. Were you meeting someone?”
Shirley’s hands moved to cover her eyes.