Hanging Shoes

By

John E. Hurley

East LA and gangs are a deadly combination.  Markus knew the dangers of the various neighborhoods as there was a gang on virtually every block.  Running late to work, Markus knew that confrontation was risked if found in the wrong area by one of the violence prone groups. 

Markus’ life was occupied by work and going to school.  Being an only child, his mother, Betty, depended on the meager income Markus was able to earn at Meyers Market, along with her wages at the part-time job she worked during the day while he was at school to support their needs.  The only other significant person was his best friend, Joey.  Friends since childhood, they were inseparable. Betty regarded both of them as her sons.

The dangers of the neighborhood were well known to all, as daily violence was the norm in the area.  Despite being aware of the dangers of travelling off the safe path, Markus decided to cut a corner across the local Crip gangs’ territory to get to work on time.  In no time, Markus was confronted by two menacing characters that were up to no good.  Markus knew he was in trouble as they demanded his brand new red Nike Basketball shoes. Hoping to stay safe, Markus complied and started taking off his shoes.  He was proud of the shoes, as Betty had worked an extra shift to get them for her son’s birthday.  Without warning, one of the goons mistook one of Markus’ moves, and suddenly pulled a gun and fired.  Markus had no chance, and died with one shoe off and one shoe partially on.

One of a gangs’ ways of warning strangers of their claimed territory is to throw the shoes of their victims over a telephone or electrical wire.  Before sirens got any closer they tied his laces together, and, after a couple of attempts, were able to throw the shoes over an electrical wire.  Like the cowards that they were, they ran off laughing amongst themselves.

The news devastated Markus’ mother, who only had Joey to console her.  Los Angeles police had told her the details of her son’s death.  Joey spent the night with Betty, and, as the grief started to ease and the practicality of the situation set in over the next day or so, they both realized that funeral arrangements needed to be made.  There were so many details to attend to.  Clothing had to be decided upon, so Betty went to Markus’ closet and picked out some of his nice school clothes.  Suddenly, she realized that she had no shoes to bury Markus in.  She called out to Joey to ask what to do.  Joey told her that he would take care of it.

Joey knew exactly what to do.  Going down to the neighborhood fire station, Joey spoke with Captain Martin about what he needed.  Joey rode with the fireman for protection where Markus had died.  The red shoes still dangled like a flag in memoriam.  Five minutes later, the fireman raised the bucket lift on their truck and retrieved Markus’ shoes.  Joey thanked the firemen, and was taken back to a safe area.

Joey raced back to Betty.  “I have them!” Joey exclaimed, as he entered the house.  They embraced and cried some more.