Moving on

David's Fashion Store

Well, I'm finally approaching the state of New York. It's been a long a journey here, but considering what awaits me, it'll be worth it... indeed, after all the crazy shit I've been through, starting my life in the big apple will be worth it. I fell in love with New York during that one week I visited my uncle and grandmother. Though I'm only twenty, I've already decided it's the place where I want to stay for the rest of my life. Not sure if I'll feel any differently in the future, but what I can say for sure is that Los Angeles, the place where I was born and bred, and where I have had my life's experiences (the good and the bad) by far, was no longer my home. Los Angeles is not my future.

Five months after my first visit to New York, my routine was all but the same; playing basketball, hang out with my fellow boys of Las Sombras, going to the gym (getting more ripped while doing so), and of course... sex. One Thursday afternoon, the boys and I were hanging out at the newly built mall called the “The Hollywood Platinum Shopping Center” in the better part of Los Angeles. There was not a lot of people there that day; likely due that it was still early in the morning at the time. There we were, checking out the place, seeing which stores can be our new “hunting ground”, and even checking out some girls who were there at the time.. Alex decided to holler at one in particular, but apparently her boyfriend did not like that. Approaching Alex, he told him to back off, but of course, the other boys and myself had stepped up and had Alex's back. It would be the boyfriend who would back off, with his girl telling her man “Let's just go”, but not before she flipped us off. “You wish, bitch!” That's what I said to her. Yep, I was the one who said it. Me and the other boys decided we were done and headed for our respective homes for another lazy day. I had to take a leak before I left.

I went into one of the restrooms located on the upper levels of the building. As I was using the urinal, there was a guy who came in and used one of the urinals that was two urinals between us. I It did seem that it's someone who was just taking care of his own business at first, but that was not entirely the case. I quickly caught him staring at mi polla. When he was caught, he turned his head, thinking (or maybe hoping) I did not notice. But, of course, I was not gonna let that go... especially how cute he was. He was an African-American with a light complexion, wearing a pair of glasses, with some tight blue jeans and a tight pink long sleeve shirt. Twirling my dick around and around, I asked him “Like what you see?”. He didn't respond with words, but he did had a cute smile on his face... I could tell he was blushing. Once I was finished using the urinal, my focus turned to the far end of one of the restroom stalls. “Perfect” I thought. Opening the stall door, the “peeper” looked at me, and I nodded for him to come inside the stall with me, which he did. Mind you, it's a public restroom, and it did not look too ideal to fuck anyone, so my peeper and I decided to just settle for a blow job. I was the one receiving the blowjob the entire time, of course. As he got on his knees in front of me, I had both hands behind my back, leaning against the wall, with my crouch right in front of his face. I allowed the peeper to do his thing by unloosening my belt, bring my zipper down, and have my dick and balls peaking through my boxers, and he went on to swallow mi polla, which was already at full attention. We kept as quiet as possible, in case someone walked in, but during this “oral transaction”, not one person showed up. I guess we could have fucked after all. Any who, the peeper worked mi polla real good. He focused on my balls a lot. Getting comfortable, he decided to whip his out as well. He for sure had a nice dick on him. Back then, I thought numerous times about sucking dick myself. Eventually I did, but more on that later. After maybe six minutes, I gave the warning that I was ready to bust, but he kept it in his mouth. Pulling me further towards him by the ass, still sucking me off, and looking right into my eyes, he made it clear that he was going to eat my nut... which he did. I tried not to give out too much moans in case someone walked in, but it was so nice, especially when my dick still had its spasms and he was still sucking it. It was also another first, because no one, girl or guy, has ever eaten my jizz. He sucked on my dick just a little longer until he busted his own nut. Once we were done, I zipped up my pants, fastened my belt, and we both made our exit.

My peeper was just pulling up his pants as he left the restroom ahead of me. Before I knew it, there was Alex, all by himself. He immediately took notice of this feminine-looking guy adjusting his pants, and me leaving the restroom right behind him. He had a look of suspicion on his face. “I thought you already left” he said. I told him how I decided to look around a little more. Apparently, he was doing the same. I immediately tried to shift his focus to something else, like nothing happened, so I asked him if he was up to shooting more hoops. He said “yeah, let's do this”, but not with the usual enthusiasm. He definitely suspected something.

Las Sombras did not think too highly of those from the LGBT community; throwing rotten eggs at a pride flag, mocking feminine guys, homophobic chatter here and there, and among other things. I participated, I'll admit, and I'm not proud of it. But Herman, Chico, Paulo, and Alex, members of Las Sombras had been there for me for so long... especially since my father was sent to jail, so, I chose to fit in.

After spending most of the day with Alex playing b-ball, I arrived home and prepared to take a shower and chill out for the remainder of the day. When I went into my bedroom, everything looked organized and put together, and normally it's a bit of a mess. Even my bed was well made, which was not my doing. I figured mi madré had done this, but I noticed something on my pillow; it was two sheets of paper. Looking closely, I learned that it was a job application to the Nimbus Coffee Shop in downtown Los Angeles. I was confused, but mama had arrived home from grocery shopping just in time to tell me what this meant. When I asked her, she told me I should fill it out since there was a job opening at Nimbus. When she saw the "shocked and horrified" look on my face, she reacted by saying: “Carlos, you're not a child anymore. You've graduated from high school, and since then, all you do is hang out with those trouble-makers. I can except that I no longer have a say on whom you spend your time with or what you want to do for your life. But I do have a say when it comes to the living arrangements in this apartment. And I say it's time you helped out with the bills. You either find a job and take on some responsibilities, or start finding another place to live. You decide”.

It's easy to look back and not be surprised by that development, because she was right; I really wasn't doing anything. But at that time, that was a bombshell for me. I had no job experiences when mi madré gave me that application, and I knew this would not sit well with my boys. Maybe that was my mother's intention: to separate me from Las Sombras so that I'd stay out of trouble, despite stating she had no say on whom I choose to affiliate myself with. Whatever the case, I did not want to be kicked out, so I went by her “recommendation” and filled out the application. Once I turned it over to management, I got the job five days later. It was my first job ever. When I told the boys, to my surprise, they actually showed me support. But when Herman and Chico told me to lend them money every once in a while, it became clear why the boys were so supportive of me working a regular job; "Fuckin hell" I thought to myself.

Four months into working for Nimbus, and what did I think about that place? I fuckin loved it! The job was easy, the customers were nice, and whenever I get an asshole customer (which is rare), I'd just let the managers handle them. Best of all, the pay was really good. At times, I thank mi madré for getting me that job. Seeing me happy did the absolute same for her. Working at Nimbus had been a great experience for me and the good times were rolling, but things were about to turn real sour.

One night, before going home, I was strolling downtown, and saw a store that had just opened. The place was called “David's Fashion Store”. Peering into the window, I saw that they had a good selection of men's wear in one section. I went inside, and started checking out their stuff. Seconds later, I noticed that a female worker was talking to another female worker at the counter, with both of them eye-balling me. The look they had on their faces was unsettling. I did not know what that was about at first, until one of them approached me and asked “Can I help you sir?” in a rude tone. I told her I'm just looking around for some new outfits. She let me carry on for a little bit, until she came back in just a few minutes later. She went on to say, “Sir, I think it's safe to say, we don't have anything you're looking for, so maybe you should search elsewhere”. After she said this, I was shocked then pissed off and reacted with “Are fuckin serious?”. “Sir, please leave the store, or we will be forced to call the police”, she said. “Fuck you” I said to her as I headed out of there. I was genuinely a customer looking to buy a few pair of sophisticated outfits, and looking at their prices, I could definitely afford it. Those two women judged me as some thug who came to shoplift their store. I went home angry that night. Mama noticed how upset I looked when I arrived home and asked me what was wrong, but I told her everything's fine. Thirty minutes later, mi madré stopped by my room with a piece of her famous fudge cake with some ice-cream. She wanted to make sure I was okay. I somewhat got over what had happened in that store, but I'm glad I had mama to cheer me up a bit. However I felt that night, getting shunned by a saleslady, it was definitely not the end of it.

I got over my “bad customer experience” the following day. I had some free time, so I was hoping the boys were at the basketball court. As it turned out, the whole gang was there. I greeted them, and once again, met with disgust on their face. “Oh, the working man finally grace us with his presence", says Paulo. Once again, they were not all that happy to see me, and I'll admit, they had a bit of a good reason. Since working at Nimbus, there were times I thought about changing my life even more... and... there was a chance that I would leave Las Sombras at that particular point in time. Working and staying out of trouble was just too good for a time. But at this point, I haven't seen them for almost two months and I found myself missing them a lot. The times they tried to call or text me, I'd tell them I'm too busy, which is true most of the time. When I finally saw them face-to-face, I told them how sorry I was for being out of contact, and blamed work. But they were not having it. Chico told me to take my “disloyal ass” somewhere else, and that set off a trigger in me. I got right into his face and the other boys stepped in on his behalf. As there were bad tensions between us, I asked them: “So It's really come to this, huh? After all these years, I get singled out because I'm trying to help put food on the table?” “Bullshit” said Herman. He accused me of being a mama's boy who doesn't make his own decisions, referring to the fact that it was my mother who got me that job. Herman said that Las Sombras is taking things to the next level, evolving into a feared gang, and says how much I don't have the stomach for it, therefore, I had no place in it. He got in face and asked “Or am I wrong? If you're still a part of this familia, then prove it". I could have just walked away, which was the best solution, but I didn't. I stood my ground, thinking of what to do and how to get my boys back. When I came up with a "solution", I set the stage for by far the worst mistake of my life.

After a momentary stare-down with the group, I had an idea to be part of Las Sombras once again and get some payback for last night. “David's Fashion Store” I replied. “What?” Herman reacts, confused. I told them if they want to take things to the next level, my plan was a “grab n' go event” at the store where those two woman treated me badly. I was planning to high-jack a getaway car, while the boys prepared to take what they can from the shop. Herman, nodding his head in approval, holds out his hand for us to shake, which we did, as he said “Welcome back, mi hermano”. The rest of they boys did the same.

Now, the following Monday night. The evening where we put our plan into action. I left home around 7pm. I left that place the most nervous I've ever been in my entire life, but I was not gonna back down. If only I did. There was no way I was gonna use my mother's car for the get away, so I decided to use the carjacking skills my dad taught me years ago to “borrow” one. With gloves at hand, I singled out a specific black Toyota three blocks from where I lived. It was easy to break in considering the car had not alarm installed, and I did have hot-wiring skills as well, courtesy of one of my teachings from mi padré. I drove over to the alley where the boys and I agreed to meet up, and it was game on. I drove us to downtown Los Angeles and there it was, David's Fashion Store, and the two women who were assholes to me last week were once again the only one's there. No security. With a count of three, Herman, Chico, Paulo, and Alex rushed into the store taking what they can. Looking back it all happened in a flash. The boys got several jewelry, popular brand jackets, an even gotten a hold of the few headsets displayed in the store's electronic section. When the woman who was rude to me tried to block their escape, Herman pushed her to the ground... hard. “Oh, shit!” I reacted. The saleslady was not moving, and as soon as the boys got back in the car with “the goods”, Herman yelled, “Drive! Drive! Drive!”, and I did. During the drive back to my neighborhood, I was shaking. “What the fuck did we just do?” I was thinking in my head. When we made it back to the alley where we met up for the heist, the boys high-fived each other and me for a “job well done”. The boys decided to get back home quickly and change their clothing while I ditched the car in that same alley. Mi madré was spending the night over her best friend's house that night, so I had the place all to myself. I needed to be alone that night to collect my thoughts. I sat on the edge of the bed thinking once again; “What the fuck did I just do?”. After a few hours had passed, I turned on the television in the living room and as expected, the heist made it's way into the news stating that one employee suffered minor injuries and is expected to be okay. No doubt that was the saleslady that Herman knocked down. I received a text from Alex that if we could hang out at the court tomorrow. Again, just another situation where you pretend like nothing happened, apparently. I really wanted to say no that night, but I did agree to hang out with them.

Four months later. I had already turned nineteen at this point. Didn't really do anything super special; celebrating with family, celebrating with the boys, hooking up with a freaky girl, the usual. On a Wednesday, I had my usual day at Nimbus. Paulo texted me that since it was hump day, the rest of the boys figured arranging certain “entertainment” that night. I had a smile on my face that night and knew what he meant. Since working a regular job, I often did not get a chance to have sex as often, so my boys were certainly doing me a favor. I got off at 4pm as usual and took the regular scheduled bus home to prepare for a night with my boys. As I excitedly headed for my apartment, I noticed two police cars parked right in the middle of the street. I thought nothing of it at first. As I made my way to my apartment to change out of my uniform clothes, two policeman and a detective where there, questioning my mother, who had tears in her eyes. “What the fuck” I thought to myself, as my heart started pounding like crazy, feeling a hot sensation all over my body, coupled with being weak at the knees. The officers immediately zeroed their sights in on me. “Carlos Ramirez?” the detective asked. “Y-yeah” I responded, scared out of my mine. “We have a warrant for your arrest. I'm going have to ask you to come with us”. Those words came crashing on me hard. I could not believe this was happening. I was taken away with handcuffs with mi madré giving off the same cries she had when my father was hauled off to jail years ago. I was taken to the closest precinct to be questioned by Detective Rogers. I was brought in for both carjacking and taking part in a robbery. They knew what I did, but after all the precautions I took, how could they possibly know, I wondered.

I was taken into an interview room where I was met by Detective Rogers and another detective. They went on to tell me they obtained street surveillance footage of me stealing the same car used in the heist. They also showed me the footage of the other boys robbing David's Fashion Store which was caught on the store's camera. They suspect that none of the boys in the camera were me, so I had to be the getaway driver. They told me to make it easier on myself and tell them who my accomplices were. Despite being scared shitless, there was no way I was gonna snitch out my boys, especially since the whole thing was my idea. That said, I told them I want a lawyer, and they said fine, but I had to be processed. And there you have it; my first arrest.

My bail was set at a thousand dollars. Mi madré helped post bail and I was released two days after I was arrested. We traveled home in mama's car; remaining silent with me wondering what she could be thinking. When we made it home, I saw that there were two suitcases on the living room floor. I asked my mother what this is. Slamming the car keys on the living room table, she said to me: “What this is, Carlos, is a choice. I know you would not have done what you have done if it wasn't for those thugs you call your boys. Tell the police everything. What you did and why you did it, and cooperate with the DA. What's it gonna be?”. When she saw the look on my face, making it clear on how I was not going to snitch on my boys to the cops, she could only shake her head, tears in eyes, taking a moment to herself, before she turned back to me and gave me her last choice words for me that day: “Remember what I told you when you became an adult? You make your own choices in life, and I can only hope you make the right decisions. Either way, I will not be burdened with the troubles at my doorstep. I hope you can make the right decision eventually. Get out”.

Not a single fuss, or even a single word, I obeyed my mother's wishes to leave the home I knew since I was a toddler, carrying two small suitcases that had only my some of my clothes inside. With only one plan, I headed over to Alex's house. It was a pretty rundown house, but I had nowhere else to go. As it happens, the rest of the gang were there, having some laughs and smokes. I was at the fenced gate, when Paulo noticed my arrival and asked “Ey, holmes! Where the fuck have you been?”, with Herman saying to me: “Been calling you, fool. You missed out on some booty last Wednesday night”. When they saw me bring in my suitcase, Alex asked me, “What the fuck is this?”. I revealed mi madré kicked me out and I needed a place to stay. Of course, I had to reveal how the police knew that I was the get away person the night of the heist at the fashion store. They all freaked out. Herman told the girls who were there at the time to leave, and we all went inside to have a meeting about the issue. I told them how I was not gonna snitch on them, but Herman; the fucker said to me “Bravo, holmes! Bravo! But how can we trust you're not gonna say a word? You know what? Just get the fuck out of here before you lead the po po to us”. “What the fuck, man!” I reacted. He went on to say how that heist was my idea, and how much I wanted payback against those women that night, which was true. It was difficult to argue with that. “You can stay, bro” Alex said. Herman protested, stating how I'm just gonna have the rest of them arrested, but Paulo suggested that the only thing we can do at this point is to just hang low, and hopefully, the cops won't find the rest of Los Sombras. After it was agreed to hang low, the remainder of the boys left that night, with Herman pissed off, slamming the door, and Alex directed me to one of the bedrooms where I would be staying. It would be about two months until my court date.

Despite having a deal by the DA's office to receive six month's probation if I were to reveal the identity of my boys taking part in the “David's Fashion Store” robbery that night, I flat out refused it. Even though I was looking into serving three years in prison, I was determined that not only was the rest of Las Sombras was not gonna go down so easily, but the rest of Las Sombras was not gonna go down at all.

To be continued...