Chapter 65

“San Jose Police. Can I help you?”

“There’s a big fight at my neighbor’s next door. It’s real bad and worse than usual. Someone said to put the knife down.” He gave the address and the dispatcher promised to send the police.

George’s voice took on a scary tone. “I should have done this a long time ago, you little queer-loving bastard.”

“George, nooo!” Jim’s mom shrieked.

Brian ran to his dad’s closet and grabbed the .38 revolver.

He ensured it was loaded, then ran to Jim’s house. He burst through the unlocked front door and found them in the kitchen. The shouting continued, and George had Jim by the hair bent backwards over the table with a knife to his bleeding throat.

“I’ll cut your heart out if you ever disrespect me again. Apologize.”

Fear flooded Jim’s face, but he gingerly shook his head.

Brian froze. Jim’s mother stared in silence, clashing her hands to her mouth. George slowly stroked the knife across Jim’s throat. Jim groaned. More blood flooded.