by William Jones

Created on: July 03, 2007

Joe Massimo Is Dead
(A parable)

Joe Massimo was born in an ethnically diverse, but impoverished neighborhood in a major western city. Like so many of the boys there, he never new his father and was raised by his mother. She loved him very much, and did the best that she could, but she was only his mother. At a certain point Joe began to look for guidance, and an outlet for his awakening masculinity. He eventually found it in the local gang culture. Joe might have met his most likely destiny, that which is common to such boys, had he not had the good fortune of being rescued by Lester Rincoon.

Lester spent his days at Tonk's Gym, where he'd been a fixture for longer than most of the young men there had been alive. Many of them only knew him as "The Coon". He was an old enough man for most of them to consider as ancient; but no one ever said a disrespectful word to, or about him. This is where he and Joe Massimo first met. Joe had come in one day to collect a debt for the local organization, but was confronted by Lester before he'd gotten ten steps inside the room. Joe straightened to his full height, but the coon stood firm and looked directly into his eyes. It was a tense scene, for Joe had already begun to gain a reputation as a jr. thug in the neighborhood. After a moment Lester spoke. It was only a few words, but it made Joe draw a quick breath and glare. Lester''s expression softened, almost to a smile, and he said a few more words. This disarmed Joe and he looked away to find the party he'd come to see. He looked back searchingly at the coon, who had not moved, and then retreated out into the street. Lester turned and gestured the other boy to follow Joe outside; to which he complied.

Weeks passed and the incident was forgotten; until Joe Massimo walked through the door. All eyes were on him as he strode directly over to where the coon was standing. The two regarded each other shortly before Lester turned and walked towards his office; which was nothing more than two old easy chairs facing one another in the corner of the gym. Joe followed. They sat and Lester began to speak. He would sometimes stop to let Joe answer or talk, but mostly he spoke and Joe would nod. This went on for some time before the coon rose and went into the locker room. When he returned he had an old duffel and an envelope; which he handed to Joe. The two shook hands and Joe Massimo left. Those who had been there long enough knew that the deal had been struck.

Another week went by before

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