I knew we were in trouble the moment that Mom suggested we pull a midnight move. I had graduated from high school a few years before and found a job. I gave everything I made to Mom to try and help out around the house. My original plan had been to get an apartment of my own and save up for college, but things didn't work out that way.
My Dad, being the dick he is, had taken off years before, but not before leaving us with a mountain of debt. Things had been tight for some time now, but I had no idea just how bad they were. I found out later that Mom had even briefly considered turning tricks to get us from under all our bills.
Mom tried her best to stay ahead of our bills, but life wasn't kind to us. Every time we seemed to be making headway, something would pop up and kick us down. It didn't help that jobs were scarce where we lived. Both Mom and I tried to find better-paying employment regularly, to no avail. Mom was nearing the end of her rope. I could see it, and despite my best attempts, there was little I could do to improve our situation.
I often wondered why Mom didn't date. Surely, if she had a boyfriend, things could be better for her. Someone to lean on, support her emotionally, and, if I'm being completely honest, someone to split the bills with. But she never seemed interested. I think that my Dad screwing us over had a lot to do with it.
Mom could have easily found someone suitable for her. She had a very 'mom' butt, a bit wide from her pregnancy that had never gone away and had even expanded slightly since. While quite big, it was still nicely shaped. However, her massive chest balanced her ass and emphasized her small waist. Mom had a killer figure. She was a beauty, even with the years of worry lining her face. Caused by always just barely being on top of the bills. She always had a smile and tried to see the silver lining even when it was tough. Mom was an intelligent woman who, unfortunately, was stuck at a job she was overqualified for. The final straw had been when she had gotten deathly ill and had to miss two weeks of work. Even as sick as she was, Mom tried to go in but was told to go home and not return until she was better.
I was making minimum wage and wasn't able to contribute a whole lot, and even with the salary from my second job, I couldn't get us out of the jam we found ourselves in. My first job was bagging groceries, and my second job was working nights at a dive bar as a doorman. I wasn't ugly, but I was far from attractive. I was big, though, approaching six and a half feet with thick muscular arms and a powerful broad chest from my days playing football for our third-rate high school team. My temper was legendary. I was known to have a very long fuse, but once lit, people ran. I guess putting the toughest guy in town in the hospital leaves a lasting impression. I've heard he will eventually walk again but will never be the same. He should never have sliced up that woman's face in my bar.
When she told me that we would have to move and pull a midnight move to boot, I hit my boss at the bar up for an advance. He said to me that wasn't something he could do, but he knew a guy that might have some work for me. Giving me the number, he warned me that the dude was connected. At that point, I didn't have a lot of options.
After calling the number, I got an appointment to see him.
*****
I was ushered into the office. However, his security handled me with kid gloves due to my rep. I sat down before his desk and waited as he finished his conversation on the phone. There were four guys in the office with him, all armed and all looking at me like I was one step away from getting a few new holes put in me. I waited patiently in the chair for him to finish his call.
He had taste, as far as I could tell anyway, it definitely wasn't decorated with things from the second-hand store, like mine and my mom's place. Maybe he hired a decorator? Regardless, I knew wealth when it was thrown in my face. Everything matched and seemed to belong. Finally, done with his call, he dismissed his men. They seemed reluctant to leave, but a look was all it took to send them on their way.
He had a nice friendly smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. A stocky man; it struck me that this man had worked his way up the ladder, the hard way. He was someone who knew how to get his hands dirty.
"Sorry about that. I understand you need work?"
"Yes, Mr. Speakman. I was wondering if you might have some?"
He stared at me for a few minutes; it was almost as if he could see into my soul. He shook his head as if dismissing a thought and then spoke.
"You aren't a killer."
I didn't know how to reply to that, so I kept quiet.
"Oh, don't worry. I know you are capable of it, but only if provoked. You aren't the type to go looking for trouble. Just the type that deals harshly with trouble when it comes your way."
Larry Speakman looked at me some more. "I have looked into you."
I left it at that for a bit. I sat still and silent, waiting for him to continue, and eventually, he did. I had found over the years that sometimes silence was the best answer.
"You and your mom have quite the problem with money. I also know it is because your Dad was a cunt."
I saw his hand move just a bit as if to press an emergency button to call in his goons. I was glad for my reputation at that point. He was taking me seriously, even as he tested me. When it became evident that I wasn't going to take offence to him speaking the truth, he visibly relaxed. My Dad is a cunt as far as I'm concerned. Offering me a drink that I politely declined, he poured himself one.
Continuing, Larry pressed on. "I know you are looking for work. I'll tell you what. Agree to talk to your mom. Ask her to come in and speak with me. I will offer one job to you and another to you through your mother. Get together and see what works best for both of you. I will tell you this; I would love for you to collect some debts for me. Come back after you have discussed things with her."
I could tell that I was dismissed, so I got up and headed for the door. His goons came in before I got there and cleared the way for me as I walked calmly through the doorway. Smashing that guy's face through the wall had been good for something after all.
*****
When I got back home, Mom freaked out on me. She had gotten a call from Larry, telling her how I had come in looking for a job. Everyone in town knew he was bad news. She reamed me up one side and down the other. I could tell she was scared, and when she explained that she had a meeting with him tomorrow, I nearly saw red even though he had explained it to me.
I went to my day job bagging groceries, and because of the bar being closed on Mondays, I had the night off. Mom would be late; she had agreed to meet Larry, but only after Mom's shift at work was done. I made dinner, and Mom came home shortly after I finished cooking dinner.
Mom was quiet through dinner, as if deep in thought. I had no idea what was going through her head. It was best if I just kept my head down and waited her out. Even though the town was scared of me when I lost my shit, I had a healthy respect for Mom when she lost hers.
"Mike, I heard what he offered you."
I didn't say a word, just kept eating the simple meal I had cooked.
"You will not be breaking bones for him."
I knew watching those gangster movies with Mom would come back and haunt me. People with broken bones can't work. People who can't work won't pay back debts.
She didn't say another word through the rest of dinner. She told me to head to my room for the night while she thought. Thankful for the excuse to leave, I laid down on my bed and was soon asleep.
*****
The next day was another short one for me. The bar didn't open until Wednesday, so I only had one job to worry about. Mom had texted me to let me know she would be late coming home again. So, I made dinner once more, and Mom came home a little after it was ready. We ate in silence once more as she obviously had something on her mind.
The day after that, I was pulling a double shift, and I didn't see her at all. Nor the two days after that. I only had one shift on Saturday, so I was able to sleep in. Mom had recently been laid off from her weekend job, so she was home when I got up.
I came out into the kitchen to see a bunch of bags on the floor and a camcorder sitting on the counter, with a tripod leaning against a cupboard. The bags were from some pretty high-end stores, and I had no idea how Mom had been able to afford to shop in any of them. I knew her credit cards were maxed out despite both of our best attempts.
I sat down at the table, and Mom sat down across from me. I could tell something was on her mind, so once again, I just sat quietly. I knew she would say what she needed to say when she was ready. It seemed as if she steeled herself then looked up at me. She played with her blonde hair, her one real vanity. It was long, falling in golden waves almost down to her ass. She usually had it in a braid and would brush it every night for what seemed like hours.
"My handsome boy."
Mom's familiar refrain. I was a catch, just not at first glance. My appeal was more in my intelligence, personality, and the like. Things you couldn't see walking down the street. It was just something she had always said.
Mom looked down at her hands then back up at me. "I went and visited him."
No need to say who he was. I knew where she had gone and wondered why she was bringing it up again.
"Larry told me again what he had offered you. Then he told me what his other offer would be. I know you, my kind and caring son. I know what you would do for me. I also know it would kill who you are. It is bad enough with you working at the bar. Even that has changed you."
Mom was silent for a bit before speaking again. "Larry has his fingers in a lot of pies. Some legit, some not so much. His offer is for another non-legal job that will keep you a lot safer. I accepted it for you."
I looked at Mom, a little bit pissed that she would do that.
She saw the look on my face and reached out, taking my large hand in her tiny one. "I know you are upset about that, honey. It was the only choice, and you would never have taken it if I hadn't accepted it for you. I negotiated some rather favorable terms. Like a signing bonus and some goodies. Look in that bag."
I got up and grabbed the bag she pointed at. Inside was a brand-new laptop and some cords neatly wrapped up. I looked at Mom, and she saw the question in my eyes.
"We will need it, honey. One of his businesses is porn. He has a guy who has set up a website on something called the Dark Web. Nothing too outrageous, but it is an incest site."
I felt my heart start to pound in my chest at her words. I knew where this was going.
