Lost And Found

Lost and Found

Manicured lawns and Trimmed hedges was all Rich could think about. A chance to get out of the neighborhood was a dream everyone on Meadow Street dreamed of. This dream became reality for some, others this dream remained a topic of discussion with no answer to the questions at hand.

The sun was arching over the horizon showing proof that the night was near. The smoke swirled in the air as Rich tapped his cigarette into the ash tray fanning the smoke and taking few drags. City life was beginning to take its toll on him. The constant hustle, the arguments that could be heard through the paper-thin walls. The stacks of bills that was beginning to pile up on the kitchen table. Rich stood up from his chair and peeked through the blinds to set his eyes upon the dim-lit street. This street was a trap for most and opportunity for the hustlers playing wolf in sheep's clothing. Hustlers were always trying to sell you stolen goods. A booster would ask “Hey my man, you need a new TV, You know I always have the latest and greatest! I can sell you one for half price”. A rhetorical question that needed no answer A crew of guys were always breaking into Mr Harris Electronic Shop. Another might ask “Its getting warm out ya know, You have a girlfriend right? If you looking to buy your lady something nice come check me out. I just received a new shipment of “Stockings, Dresses, Make-Up anything your woman might need, way cheaper than them expensive department stores downtown”. Rich sat pondering how to escape it all. The phone rang as Rich jumped from his chair.

“Yo Rich! What's up my man? You ready for tonight’s Gig?”.

“I been practicing this horn all morning, just sitting here smoking a little to burn time”

“Ron called you about the advance money? We’re suppose to be getting a big bonus tonight. I’m thinking of getting me a new ride. I know its nothing wrong with the one I have now, but man I got the Jones in my bones for something new”

“Junior I hear ya, but I’m thinking of taking that money and moving from this side of town, to much drama these days. It’s not like it used to be”

“Moving?! I know these young guys out here is trouble but man all the clubs and nightlife is on this side of town.

“You didn’t see on the news last week those teens stole a car and crashed into Mrs. King house. They jumped out and ran right as the police showed up. Plus last summer these teens broke my car window twice. You know my son three years old now, I don’t want him growing up around this”

“That's true these knuckleheads out here are no joke, That's why I went and bought a .38. I’m not moving no where.

Rich and Junior chuckled for a few seconds before Rich said “Listen man Im gonna head on over to Reid’s Barbershop and cleaned up before the gig. I wont forget that small black book either with all the songs in it. I have this one tune I want you to do a drum solo on”

Junior replied “Alright cool brother, see you tonight”

Before leaving the house Rich made sure to grab all his belongings for the gig. Horn, Folder of sheet music, small black book, dark brown shades and Black Leather Jacket. As Rich made his way to Reid's Barbershop, The night life on Meadow street was soon to appear. Street lights flickered in the distance as music played from open windows. You could see couples exiting apartment building and walking towards all the clubs. Mothers grabbing the ears of children who had worn out there welcome. Staying out past when street lights was a sure sign of a whooping.

Reid's barbershop always had a steady flow of customers. It was a rectangle shaped room with 5 barber chairs lined up against the wall. The mirrors stretched from the barber chair to the back of the room. The smell of citrus, leather and sandalwood filled the barbershop. The one barber who didn’t get many clients swept up the constant clumps of hair falling from the chairs.

Andre shouted “Hey Rich what's up? You want the usual right?”

Rich replied “Ya just clean me up”

The clippers glided back and forth over Rich’s head, Creating the well crafted fade hair cut he always wore. Andre was a craftsman with the clippers making sure no single piece of hair was out of place.

Andre Smiled “Now that's a good haircut, you guys start at 9pm tonight right? My lady and I are gonna try to come on down and see you play. Hopefully I can close this shop up in time”

Rich smiled “Dre I’ll put you on the guest list with a plus one tonight. Would love to see you in the club tonight.”

Exiting the barber chair Rich raised his hands over his head to shake off any excess hair and stared in the mirror gazing upon his reflection to make sure the haircut was up to par.

“Dre I look better than a million bucks! Don't forget I'm going to put you on the guest list”

Rich paid the barber and talked to a few of the other customers who were waiting for a hair cut.

His eyes glanced over to the clock on the wall. The time was getting closer to 8pm, he had to make sure he got over to the club for the big meeting with the rest of the band and the Booking Manager.

Ron, Junior and Harold were already sitting the green room. Waiting for the Booking Manager to walk in. Ron and Harold were chatting about last week’s gig and how they didn’t expect the crowd to be that massive.

“That place was jumpin’ ! You saw how many people were in the front row screaming. If we can pack this club like that for the next two months we’re golden” Ron said.

“That’s the truth, but man where is Rich and this Booking Manager? I wanna know what's up with this bonus we’re suppose to be getting” Harold said.

Junior turned towards the back of the room “Speak of the devil!”. Right as they were all talking the booking manager and Rich walked in having a conversation of their own. Rich sat down in the open blue chair next to Harold. The booking manager walked towards his desk to unlock the top cabinet. A few members of the band kept small talk going while the booking manager sorted through paperwork.

“Alright guys, I have some good news for ya. You guys have been packing this club for the last four months and we haven't seen this many people coming out regularly since the holidays, we’ve decided to give you guys a 20,000 Dollar Bonus”

Ron spoke up “20 Grand! Wow I wasn't expecting that!”

The band members congratulated each other with cheers, high fives and hugs. The 20,000 dollar check was placed in the possession of Rich. He folded the check in half placing it between the pages of his small black book. The book was then stuffed in the pocket of his leather coat.

Around 8:30pm the audience began to fill the club, All the band members were drinking whiskey at the bar still riding the celebratory moment from before.

Junior looked over to Rich “Its about 15 minutes before the show starts, you wanna go for a smoke break?

“Ya I could use a smoke” Rich replied

The alley was dark and damp, a cracked flood light placed right at the corner of the alley was the only glimmer of light. Rich pulled out the pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket lighting one for Junior.

“See I knew everything would work out. I’m going down to dealership soon as we cash that check” Junior said.

“Hey we do deserve it. We’ve been making these guys a ton of money. Do you see how packed it is in there” Rich said.

The two band members smoked half of the cigarettes and headed back into the club for the gig. Junior grabbed two drinks from the bar and rested them next to the piano. The band played an hour set of non stop hits. The crowd roared for more jumping up and down screaming for an encore.

A man dressed in tattered clothes dragging a shopping cart searched the streets for empty cans and bottles. “Can anyone spare me a dollar, a quarter anything?” the man said. Pedestrians turned the blind eye as if he didn’t exist. Hunched over he dragged the half empty cart as the wheels squeaked through the street. He peeked thru the curtains looking on at all the customers dancing in the club. Despair filled his eyes as the man mumbled to himself. He reached down throwing any empty cans and bottles that could be found. After reaching the alley he noticed the half smoked cigarettes and small black book. Out of curiosity he opened the book flipping through the pages to uncover the 20,000 dollar check. His eyes bulged out his head with excitement. “My lucky day” the homeless man mumbled.

An hour later the band was scattered by the bar talking to fans and shaking hands.

“You guys sounded great tonight. Coming here to see you guys tonight made my weekend” a fan said.

Placing his glass on the bar Junior replied “Its our lucky day we even received a bonus for all the people we’ve been bringing in here”. Junior tapped Rich on the shoulder to unveil the check. Rich frantically dug in his pocket in search of the little black book and the check. “Man either you lost the damn check or you stole the money and trying to take it for yourself!”. Rich raised his eyebrows “Man you crazy, you know damn well I wouldn’t steal money from the band.”. You could see the anger boiling in Junior, He shouted “You keep blabbing about moving from this side of town, I bet you stole the money for that house you was talking about earlier. You think I’m a fool”.

The rest of the band walked over as they realized Rich lost the check. The band argued for the rest of the night blaming Rich for losing the money.

A chance to get out of the neighborhood was a dream everyone on Meadow Street dreamed of. This dream became reality for some, others this dream remained a topic of discussion.