Frat Attack

Uncle Big walked in, with his long trench coat, fedora and a handful of envelopes.

I was thinking to myself, what is he going to do or consider when we explain that my niece was sexually abused by a group of guys at a fraternity house? My mind could not shake off the horrific scene he'd bring upon them. The more I thought about this the more ill I became. The really sad part was I was more horrified by the coming possibilities of Uncle Bigs reckoning than the abuse my niece took. Don't get me wrong, and make no mistake there will be retribution, but it should be me who handles this one. My sister was in the hospital emergency department and I needed to shake off this mind trap of horrific scenarios and greet my Uncle.

Uncle Big, can I get you something? A beer, single malt? Maybe water?

Uncle Big responded with his gravelly voice and broken English “Gimme a top shelf two-finger peace measure of The Macallan Tales of Macallan Vol 2”. The best for the best Uncle Big!

Uncle responded,” Ah, that's my nephew, you always take of me when I pop over”.

I won't ever forget the time Uncle came here all beat up looking like a real mess, with a couple of bullet holes and broken ribs, fingers and missing teeth. This was an unusual instance. A bar fight that took a really bad turn. No charges were laid but the damages were done and debts paid and cleared. This is the narrative that was played out for anyone with inquiring minds. And any other minds were as Uncle Big uses” Minds you own fucking business jackasses!”.

“Hey, little John, I come bearing gifts, envelopes for the missus, niece, nephew, and my little Big brother” all spoken with that gruff, gravelly voice kinda like Big Pussy from the Sopranos. (If you have to ask who Big Pussy is, you have to watch the Sopranos).

John was my father, a businessman, but little by no means. Big stature and big respect. Both John and Uncle were twin brothers who grew up together and looked out for one another. They worked out together and owned a garage and salvage business together too. They were big players in the toxic clean-up and waste removal. All the times my niece and I would visit their warehouse we noticed everything was spotless. We were surprised at how efficient they were. This as I found out later was much more than anyone could ever have known.

Uncle Big handed the envelopes over and asked” Where's my niece Sarina? I need to squeeze her. "She always makes me happy and gives me a big smile.”

Quickly I spoke up only to get cut off by my father with an “Eh, shut your mouth, your Uncle and I gotta talk”.

Uncle Big was getting defensive for me and told John’ Calm the fuck down man”. “He didn't do anything.”

“I'll explain it to you Bigs”

Uncle Big nodded to me and threw down the Macallan in one swig.

Whenever he was called Bigs, Uncle Bigs knew better and heeded the title to John. It's almost like a connected communication, maybe something only twins have.

I knew at that moment that Uncle Big was going to get an earful about Sarina.

Both of the brothers went into the movie room, leaving their phones in the bowl before entering and shutting the door.

I knew at that moment that I knew nothing. I was only in the movie room once and was stunned by the eggcarton type of walls and ceiling with a table in the center and 5 chairs. Everything was soft to the touch, even the table, carpet and chairs. A deafening silence commanded the room when I was there for the first time. The entire room was deafening. Only a solitary ashtray in the center of the table along with a Post-it notepad and a box of wooden matches.

It didn't take long to understand the purpose of the room but the ashtray matches and pencil confused me for a while. Maybe you have an idea but I'm keeping that to myself for now.

Must have been an hour before they exited the movie room without a word being said. I could see some tears had been shed, and the strong sulphur smell of a wooden match that had been struck. Uncle Big picked up his phone hugged his brother and left the house.

My father came up to me, hugged me and didn't say a word. I just knew that retribution was not coming from me. I fully accepted that in my mind. As soon as my father started to walk away the house phone rang, my father picked it up and it was my mom. He spoke to Catianna (my mom) for a few moments. Hung the phone up and cried, he was sobbing hard. I didn't interrupt, just sat quietly.

In a flash, he yelled, "Get Big, now! Max”. ( that was me).

I left the house, no questions asked and got to Uncle Big before he pulled away.

To be continued...