Fifteen minutes after Sophia left in the cab, RJ arrived at the pool hall. When he looked out the car window, he noticed that the pool hall was closed for the night. Feeling guilty that he missed his date with Sophia, RJ quickly put his foot on the pedal and drove off to Sophia's house. As RJ was driving, he reflected on what Del said about organized crime running in his family.
Although RJ was aware of his father's infamous past as a numbers runner for the mob, it wasn't a topic that was regularly discussed in the Gannon Family household, due to the influence of RJ's compassionate, outspoken, God-fearing Creole mother. She didn't want RJ and Hank to be drawn into the criminal lifestyle, so she had forbidden the subject of their father's previous life from being spoken about in their home. For that reason, RJ didn't see his father in that light.
RJ preferred to remember his father as a talented and gifted jazz and blues musician, who would work odd jobs in between gigs to support his family. At an early age, RJ took an interest in his father's music while Hank pursued sports. RJ recalled listening to various jazz albums with his father in the basement of the Gannon family home in Chicago. RJ would also sit in and watch his father play the piano, saxaphone, guitar, harmonica and trumpet when his father practiced with his band.
As the years passed, RJ fell in with the wrong crowd and turned to a life of crime. RJ would often feel guilty about getting in trouble and disappointing his parents, but he would put his feelings aside and not worry about the consequences of his actions. RJ's rebellious ways would set him on the beaten path that would transform him into a career criminal. As RJ's defiance grew, he would find himself at odds with his older brother Hank and his relationship with his parents would fall apart.
RJ's thoughts returned to the present time when he finally arrived at Sophia's apartment. He knocked on the door and Sophia was surprised to see him. Sophia invited RJ inside her apartment and told him how upset she was that he missed their date.
"Where were you, RJ?! I was waiting at the pool hall for an hour and you didn't show up! What happened to you?" Sophia asked in an angry voice.
"I'm so sorry." Sighed RJ. "I was coming back from visiting my niece at Statesville when my car broke down. If that motorist didn't stop and give me a jump, I wouldn't be here right now." Explained RJ.
"I called your cellular phone and left messages on your voicemail. Did you receive them?"
"No I didn't. My cellular phone has been acting up. I would've contacted you, if it was working." Replied RJ.
"Sounds like this wasn't your day. I forgive you, RJ. Situations like yours happen to all of us at some point."
"Thank you for being so understanding."
"No problem. It's not often I meet a man that's sincere as you."
"So my sincerity was my saving grace?"
"Just don't make it a habit of standing me up, Gannon." Warned Sophia.
"Don't worry, Pelligrino." RJ put his hand on her shoulder. "Next time I'll reach out and touch someone." RJ put his arms around Sophia and kissed her on the lips.
"Your way of contact beats talking on the phone." She smiled as she spoke. "While you were MIA, I been improving my pool playing technique. I think got my game down pat."
"That's good, Sophia. I can't wait to see how much you have improved. So what are you up to now?"
"I'm about to watch Top Edition. They're doing a report on street gangs having access to surveillance equipment. The episode is called "When Hoods Go Hi-Tech". Do you ever watch Top Edition?"
"No, I don't watch too much TV. Who needs a TV set with all the real life entertaiment that happens in Llanview?"
"You got a point, RJ, but this episode of Top Edition is must see TV and my set has been acting up. Stupid piece of junk." Sophia said referring to TV set as she kept hitting it in a effort to work.
RJ realized how excited Sophia was about Top Edition and he extended the invitation for her to come watch the program at Dorian's house.
"Sophia, you can watch the show at my house."
"Thanks, RJ. I'll grab my jacket. Thank you so much!" Sophia kissed RJ on the cheek. She goes in the room and gets her jacket and leaves with RJ.
Moments later, RJ and Sophia arrive at Dorian's house where RJ is staying. Sophia was unaware that RJ and Dorian were best friends. RJ didn't know that Sophia briefly stayed at Dorian's house. RJ listened to Sophia recount her experience with Dorian Lord-Hayes.
"So you're staying at Dorian's house. You're such a lucky guy. I had a blast the last time I was here." Sophia said in an excited voice.
" I remember Dorian saying that she had a houseguest staying with her." Recalled RJ.
"Oh yeah. What did she say about me?" Asked Sophia.
"Let's just say that she found your stay at her humble abode to be unforgettable." He answered.
"Well I do know how to make an impact on people. So why are you staying here? " Sophia curiously asked.
"My apartment is being renovated and Dorian was so kind to let me stay here for the time being."
"That's so sweet of her. Dorian has a good heart."
"You got that right. I miss her and I hope she comes back soon."
Just as RJ and Sophia were talking in the living room, Kelly walks in and interrupts their discussion. She wasn't too happy to see Sophia at her Aunt Dorian's house once again.
"Well if it isn't the gruesome twosome. What are you two plotting tonight?" Inquired Kelly.
"The same thing we do every night; try and take over the world." Grinned RJ.
Sophia and RJ then sing the theme song to Pinky and The Brain and have a couple of laughs at Kelly's expense.
"That's a good one, RJ. I should've seen that answer coming." Sighed Kelly.
"It helps to keep your eyes open and your head up. Just a word of advice."
"Careful, RJ." Smiled Sophia. "That's Brenda Starr, publisher of The Sun. Ever since she got her hands on the newspaper, The Sun has been shining brighter than a twenty watt light bulb." She joked.
"That's a nice shirt you're wearing, Crook Shields. I use to have one just like it and now it's gone."
"Well don't look at me. I bought this shirt at the mall. What makes you think I stole your shirt?"
"Let's see, the last time you was here you were admiring my wardrobe. After you left, one of my shirts was missing. The shirt you have the nerve to wear right in front of me."
"Please, Kelly. You would lose your own head if it wasn't attached to your neck. Shouldn't you be doing something constructive like putting your M&M's in alphabetical order?"
RJ observed Kelly and Sophia's verbal assault and proceeded to intervene before it got out of hand.
"Calm down, ladies." RJ peacefully said. "Kelly if you're worried about Sophia, I searched her before she came in the house and she's clean."
"Hell yeah. RJ conducted a nice and thorough body search. You're welcome to search me yourself. He might have missed a couple of places." Sophia slyly said.
"I'll take your word for it, Sophia." Kelly took her eyes off of Sophia and looked at RJ. "I don't know about you, RJ. If you continue to stay here and invite your friends over, I might have to start running a CORI check on all of them."
"Lighten up, Kelly. Why don't you sit down and watch TV with us?"
"No thanks. I have to go upstairs and see if all my stuff is still there. Have fun." Kelly walks out of the room.
Before she leaves, Sophia has some last minute words to share with her.
"Oh, Kelly. While you're up there, you should call the doctor and see if he can remove that stick from your ass."
"Cute response coming from a lady whose mouth is bigger than her I.Q." Frowned Kelly.
"Great attitude coming from a lady who acts like her shoe size and not her age." Quipped Sophia.
Kelly ignores Sophia and walks upstairs to her bedroom. Sophia's angry at Kelly for accusing her of stealing one of her shirts.
"Dammit!" She exclaimed. "I hate having to prove myself all the time!" Expressed Sophia.
" I feel the same way, Sophia, but you shouldn't let Kelly bother you."
"I can't stand her. She probably thinks I still want Joey, but she can have him. He wasn't what I was looking for to begin with. I like my men tough, handsome and adventurous. Joey was a play it safe type of man. You're just right."
"I'm very flattered. Well Top Edition is about to come on."
"You sound excited about Top Edition."
"What can I say, Sophia? You sparked my interest. I can't wait to see this report you been talking about."
RJ was intrigued by the idea of street gangs possessing surveillance equipment used by law enforcement agencies. The story RJ and Sophia was watching on Top Edition would serve as an inspiration for RJ's latest scheme that would involve his archenemy John Sykes.
To Be Continued
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