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The decaying building rose up in the early morning light. It was the tallest of the other buildings, yet strikingly the smallest. On the right of the massive building was the police station, small and dingy, just like the rest of the city. To the left, the library rose two stories, the newest of the other buildings. Tkhe massive building was six stories high. It’s exterior was dully painted brown. On the inside it was no different. There was no interior decorator hired, or quality painters. The building was badly constructed in a span of two years. The building still, towered over the sleepy city in the dawn.
Ricky and Sam rolled into a stop at around six thirty that morning. Sam was still fast asleep by the time they got there. Ricky smiled at Sam’s young face. Not a trace of sadness was present, but underneath, there it was. Sam would wake up any minute and throw a fit. He didn’t want to go back. It was a struggle to get him back into the building. It broke Ricky’s heart to see Sam hurt so bad. He was only a kid. He didn’t deserve any of this.
Resting his head back, Ricky thought. Sam was fifteen now. In two weeks he had to testify for their great uncle Sal. Two weeks after that, he needs to begin seeing a psychiatric doctor or something. On top of that, Ricky couldn’t be there to comfort him. The state didn’t realize that Sam was a sensitive kid that needed support. At the massive building, the one across where they had parked, no one cared.
Ricky closed his eyes for a moment. Two weeks : trial. Sam knew that he needed to lie. Protect your own. Your own. Sal was in charge of one of the biggest Mafia families in the east coast. Their father was killed almost four years ago. First it was natural causes, now it was murder. Uncle Sal was their first and only suspect. Enough evidence was being used to bring him to trial, and there was enough evidence to keep him behind bars for life. Unless, Sammy testified. Sam knew it was wrong. But he had to protect his own. Their own. Where were “their own” when social security took Sam away? And where were they when Ricky wasn’t granted custody of Sam? No where. But in fear, Sam would lie. Even though they knew who did kill their father.
Sam started stirring incar seat.
“Sammy? Sammy, you okay?”
Sam slowly sat up on the car seat.
“Its morning.” Ricky said.
“I don’t want to go.” Sam started. He looked scared and helpless, like a wet puppy.
“I know, Sam. I don’t make the rules though.” Sam looked down and stayed quiet. “Do you know what to say?” Ricky asked. It was habitual to do so.
Sam nodded uneasily. Ricky sighed and put a warm hand on Sam’s neck. There were no words to describe it. But they both felt it.
“Lets get you back home.” Ricky said. They both got out of their car and made their way toward the orphanage.

Ricky felt the wind whip past his car. All he could hear was his engine’s powerful roar as it left the Eclipse in the background. In one smooth move, his Impala drifted swiftly and zoomed steadily towards the finish line. He happily looked back at the Eclipse, shamefully trying to regain lost yards. Ricky smiled and continued forward. He passed the line & felt the wave of excitement rush through the crowd. He stopped the Impala feet away from Sammy, who smiled shyly at those congratulating his big brother. Ricky jumped out of his dark auto through the window cooky.
“What did I tell you, Sammy?” Ricky laughed. Sammy didn’t laugh or join in the celebrations around him. He looked deathly pale and tired.
Poor kid, thought Ricky. He hadn’t slept in almost two days. It was time to take him home.
“Hey,” said Ricky as he put his arm around Sammy’s shoulder, “do you feel alright? Need to go home?” Ricky noted how small Sammy felt now. Sammy shook his head. “You look tired, kid. I’m taking you. home, sound ‘right?”
Sammy nodded. Somewhere in the distance sirens played in the melody of the crowd. It was their sign to leave. Sammy followed Ricky to his car, and took his place in the passenger seat. He leaned his head on the window and closed his baggy eyes. He looked too small, too weak for his age. Ricky didn’t want to concentrate on it, though. He turned on his beauty of an engine on and started driving off slowly.
“Sam? You okay?” He heard a soft groan as a response. Poor kid. “Sam? I’m gonna need you to keep this between you and me, alright?”
“I know,” Sammy said sleepily, “You tell me, all the time.”
“I know, still. I don’t want you to say a word to amnyone - especially Dad ”
“I know, Ricky. You don’t need to tell me.”
“Not a word, Sammy. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Thanks.” Ricky sighed happily. Sammy was already sleeping within two minutes of their conversation. Poor kid.