the Golden Valley

16 year old Jake Moss just left the hustle & bustle of his old home in Chicago, Illinois. He left Chicago, Illinois after his mother Linda Moss's job at Robinson Aviation has transferred to Des Moines, Iowa. Linda decided to buy a home in Golden Valley, Iowa, a small town about 30 minutes south of Des Moines. Jake thinks his mother has made a huge mistake. Linda said " Jacob Peter Moss, I know it's a change but everything happens a reason sweetie. " Jake said " I guess mom." Jake continues to unload his mom's 2017 Ford F150. It's 10 pm so Jake lays down and sleeps on the couch. Jake starts a new school tomorrow. He is officially a junior at Golden Valley East high school. Jake wakes up at 6:16 A.m, and, takes a shower. He sees his mom is already gone. He grabs a banana, a Pepsi, his prepackaged lunch, and, his school bag. He sees a yellow school bus pull up. He enters the school bus and notices the driver and says "hello I'm Jake." The driver says "Howdy, Jake, I'm Joe Cook, but everyone just calls me Cookie." Jake takes a seat next to a young lady with a Cubs hat on." Jake introduces himself to the young lady. The young lady replied " my name is Nancy." Jake explains his situation to Nancy. Nancy says " My grandfather used to play for The Cubs. His name was Tom Rizzo. " Jake said "That's funny. Tom Rizzo is my old middle school gym teacher. He never mentioned having kids." Nancy said " Grandpa is a very private man." The bus pulls up to The school. A young man punched Jake in the back of the head as he exits the bus. 1 of the young men yells " f**k you p***y. " Tom gets up and yells " You wanna go muthafucker." A security guard runs out and yells " Break it up you guys. " The guard goes up to the other young man and says " It's always you Rozowski. Every single time. Get it right Kyle." Kyle says " it won't happen again Carter." Mr. Carter says " doubt that. I seriously doubt that." Jake follows Nancy so she can show him to the Main office. Jake gets his schedule. He goes to 1st period Math class. He notices Kyle is in his class. Kyle gives Jake a smirk. At lunch time Nancy invites Jake to her table. He introduces Jake to her friends. Jake notices 1 of her friends is wearing a Bears jersey. Jake and Kevin with the Bears jersey discuss football. Jake is having a hard time maneuvering his new environment. A kid with a Cowboy hat goes up to Jake and says "your the asshole who called my friend a motherfucker." The kid tries to swing at Jake but Jake counters with a punch to the face." The principal runs out and removes the 2 children from each other. The principal introduces herself as " Dr. Marie Rodriguez." She let's Jake off with a warning but gives the other student Cody Blair a lunch detention. Nancy explains that Cody is just an asshole. She used to date him. She walks Jake to his English class. in English, Jake notices that Nancy's friend Melissa is in that class. At 1:55 pm, school is dismissed. Nancy asks if Jake would like a ride from her friend Melissa. Jake agrees. On the ride home Jake notices how rundown the town looks. He exits the left rear door and thanks Melissa. Linda asks how his 1st day went. Jake replied " Not the best but not the worst." Jake walks up the street to Jimbo's gas & grocery. The owner Jimbo Stroud seems very shady. He is very standoffish towards Jake. Jake asks " How much for a Sprite?" Jimbo replies " look at the God damn pricetag." Jake is puzzled by Jimbo's rude behavior. Jake purchases the Sprite and walks home. He notices a man in a green 2001 Ford Ranger. His friend Kevin is in the passenger seat. The man exits the truck and sells a bag of a brown substance to an elderly man with a brown sweater on. The next day at school, Jake asks Kevin what he was doing in that truck. Kevin replied " That's my dad, He's a drug dealer. He just lost his union carpenter job. His name is Jeremy but everyone calls him Chip." Jake said " Why go with him when he's selling drugs? " Kevin replied " He's still my dad. My mom died when I was 6. She was a marine. Died over In Iraq." Kyle walks up to Kevin and Jake and replies " it's only your second day and your already hanging out with tweakers." A very tall kid with long blonde hair walks up to Kevin and gives him the news that his girlfriend is pregnant. Kevin says " Congrats Tim. Your gonna be a daddy. " Tim replies " Thanks bro, I'm just a little nervous. I'm only 15." Jake is sitting in math class. He notices that is very cold. He exits the class feeling very cold. A tall kid with a face tat, and, a house arrest bracelet walks up to Kevin and threatens him. Kevin replies " Oh really I'll beat your ass again Sam." Sam replies " I like to see you try you fuckin redneck." Kevin tells Jake to avoid Sam. Sam and a short kid with a Nike hat on walk up to Tim. Tim gives Sam $1,000. Kevin says that Sam is the son of the biggest drug dealer in town. In Science class, Jake notices that Sam and his friend with The Nike hat are in his class. Sam gives Jake a menacing stare. Jake gets another ride from Melissa. Melissa tells Jake about a barbecue she is having on Saturday. Jake shows up to the barbecue. Kevin, Nancy, Tim, and, Kyle are all there. Melissa explains that Kyle is her cousin on her mom's side. Kyle says " I'm sorry for being a d**k. It's Cody. I really shouldn't hang out with that loser." A brown 1995 Dodge Durango pulls up. It's Nancy, her mom Suzanne, her step-dad Ben, and, her brother Charlie. They all eat, drink, and, chat. Kevin gives Jake a ride home in his blue 2003 Honda Civic. A red 2005 Chevrolet Impala cuts Kevin off. Kevin yells " learn to drive asshole." The driver exits the vehicle and smashes Kevin's front windshield with a crowbar. The driver says " How about you learn to drive you f*****g moron." Kevin walks up to guy's car and notices that the guy is holding a .357 magnum revolver. The driver says " I'll give ya 357 reasons to get the f**k lost." Kevin calls his dad up. He explains that a random man shattered his windshield. The man drives off. Chip says " next time I see a red Impala with green rims. I'm breaking all the f*****g windows." A tow truck pulls up. Kevin says " Thanks Uncle Lou., and, shakes hands with the very obtuse man." Lou says " I think I know who drives the Red Impala. Was it Billy Sanchez? Sam Sanchez's older brother." Kevin replies " No some skinny guy with a face tat, and, a brown Mohawk." Lou says " That's Brandon Tucker. He's a f*****g p***y. He probably showed you that .357 he stole off his grandpa Frank." Jake realizes that town he is in is not that much different than Chicago. Lou gives Jake a ride home. Jake tells Linda what happened. She says "well at least your ok Jakey." Jake is in Math class when He hears that Tim was arrested. Tim found out his girlfriend Amy was hanging out with Sam and He went up to her house with a baseball bat and shattered all the windows in her dad's 2019 Toyota Tundra. Jake is at lunch when Amy Jakubak goes up to Kevin and says " Why are you taking Tim's side? He's a f*****g psycho. He broke all the windows in my dad's truck. Kevin says "You broke his heart. Sam is a piece of s**t. Why would you ever associate with The Sanchez family. There a bunch of scumbags." Amy said "It wasn't just Sam there. My cousin Ricky was there as well." Kevin said "It was Sam's f*****g house. All that happens there is drugs. His mom is 1 of the biggest dealers in town." Amy said "I'm pregnant. I only went there to watch the football game with Ricky, and, his friends." Kevin says " Who else was there?" Amy said "Sam, Ricky, Todd, Grace, and, Sam's brother Eddie." Kevin said "Todd Collins?" Amy said "Yes. Todd Collins." Kevin said "He's 1 of the biggest dope heads in town. Did you check your wallet before you left. I'm f*****g serious." Amy said " My wallet was at home." Kevin said "You should know that crowd is no good." Amy said "it's not my fault Tim violated his probation." The kid with the Nike hat walks up to Kevin says "Presley stay outta my cousin's business." Kevin says "f**k you Ricky." Amy says " Ricky. Don't even bother with him." Ricky and Amy walk away. Later that day, Jake is doing his homework when Linda comes in with a random bald man. Linda says "I got a date tonight Jake. This is Warren Perkins, Warren this is my son Jake." Jake and Warren greet each other. Jake gets a text from Kevin. He finds out that Tim is facing felony charges. Warren and Linda get in Warren's 2012 Ford Explorer. Jake calls Kevin and says "Why are they charging him with a felony?" Kevin says "1st degree Criminal mischief is a felony in Iowa. He's also on probation for punching a kid at the mall." Jake asks Kevin if he knows of Warren Perkins. Kevin informs Jake that Warren is the town's mayor. Linda & Warren come back at 9:00 p.m. Linda tells Jake that they had a good time at Perry's house of Barbecue. Jake wakes up at 3:20 A.m to a very loud bang. He sees 3 police cars rushing down Vanderbilt Street. On the school bus, Jake finds out that Ricky McDowell, Amy's cousin, was shot in the parking lot of Jimbo's, and, is in critical condition. The rumor is that there was a fight between him & Christian Young had a dispute over Ricky's girlfriend Martha Krasinski. Later that day, Police are all over the school. The take a kid in a Lions jersey out in handcuffs. It's Chris Norton. They found the gun used in the shooting of Ricky in the bed of Chris's 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. On the school bus, Jake finds out that Chris shot Ricky to rob him for an ounce of weed. The cameras showed Chris, and, 2 masked men approaching Ricky and firing 4 shots at his stomach from a .9 mm Glock handgun. Chris gave up his 2 accomplices his older brother Max Donnelly, and, Max's friend Dave Schovajsa. Dave is 1 of the town's most dangerous people. He is the son of a Croatian mobster aptly nicknamed "'Ivan the Terrible". Ivan Schovajsa controlled firearm trafficking all through out Iowa. When Jake got home, He saw a blue 2002 Pontiac Grandprix in the driveway. He opened the door to see his cousin Josh Pearson. He gave Josh a nice hug. Josh informed Jake that he was officially a Veteran of The United States Navy, and, that him, his wife Amanda Pearson, and, his son Tommy will be staying with them. Jake asks about the Grandprix. Josh informed Jake that uncle Paul gave it to Josh as a present for retirement from the Navy. Josh gives Jake a ride to school in the morning. Jake goes up to Kevin and asks where the local jobs are. Kevin says "Try Dave's bar & grille." Jake thanks Kevin for this information. Later that day, Jake applies at Dave's bar & grille. The owner, Mark Langella, hires Jake on the spot. Jake thanks Mark for the opportunity. The next day, Jake reports for work. Mark hands Jake a mop. Jake cleans the entire bathroom in 5 minutes. Mark commends Jake for his fast work. An elderly couple comes in. Jake asks them what they like would like to eat. The couple asks for a large pepperoni pizza, and, a 2 liter of Pepsi. Jake writes down the order and hands the paper to the chef Paul Langella. 10 minutes later, Jake comes back with the pizza, and, the 2 liter. Mark is impressed by Jake's work ethic. Jake takes the city bus back to his house. Jake goes to school the next day to see that Ricky is back in school. He suffered a gun shot wound to the left leg. He is using crutches. Sam is being a nice friend and carrying Ricky's stuff. That's the bond that Sam & Ricky have. Later that day, Jake reports for work. Mark asks Jake to make a delivery to Igor's Auto Repair. He gives Jake a red bookbag, and, instructs him to ride this Green Bike. Jake rides the Green bike to The Auto shop. Jake goes into the front office, and, sees a young woman with long blonde hair. He explains that his boss Mark Langella sent him. The young lady with blonde hair yells for "papa." A middle aged bald man comes to the front office, and, says "Da what is up Nadya." Nadya explains that Jake was sent by Mark. The bald man asked Jake for his name. Jake replied with "I'm Jake." The bald man "nice to meet you Yake. My name is Igor." Igor takes Jake to a supply closet, and, asks for the bookbag. Jake complies with that order. Igor hands Jake another red bookbag. Igor shows Jake back to the front office. Jake rides the Green bike back to Dave's bar and grille. Jake gives Mark the Red bookbag. Mark gives Jake $400. Mark brings the red bookbag into his office. Jake continues to take orders for Mark's customers. Later that day, Jake is ready to leave when Mark gives him the Green Bike to keep. Mark rides the Green bike home, and, goes to bed. On the school bus, Mark sees that Ricky is back in school using only crutches. In school, Sam is carrying Ricky's stuff for him. Sam, Ricky, and, a kid with a Green Packers hat are talking by the water fountain. Jake asks Kevin who the kid with the Green hat is. Kevin replies with "Todd Collins, who is back from his alternative school." At lunch, A black kid with a yellow durag on comes up to Ricky, and, gives him a brown paper bag. They shake hands. The kid with the yellow durag comes up to Kevin, and, says "whats up my brotha?" Kevin says "Oh s**t, welcome back Dez." They shake hands. Jake asks "who's that?" Kevin says "That's Desmond Grier. Everyone just calls him Dez. He's the coolest guy ever." In Gym class, Jake introduces himself to Dez. He tells Dez that he works at Dave's. Dez says "That's cool bro. They food be good as fuck." Later that day, Jake reports to work at Dave's. Mark asks Jake to make another delivery to 336 E. Adams Street. He tells Jake that it's a yellow house with a very big porch. Mark gives Jake a red bookbag. Jake agrees to this. Jake rides his bike to the yellow house. He knocks on the door and a man with long brown hair answers the door. Jake explains that Mark sent him. The man tells Jake to come in. The man with long brown hair introduces himself as "Ronny Krasinski." Jake introduces himself as "Jake Moss". They shake hands, and, swap red bookbags. Jake rides the bike back to Dave's. He gives Mark the Red bookbag. Mark gives Jake $1,000. Jake continues to serve Mark's customers. Jake rides his bike home, and, takes a shower. On the school bus, Jake goes up to Kevin, and, asks what shady business goes down at Dave's. Kevin says "I don't know. I used to make deliveries for Mark. They pay good for those runs." Jake asks "Why did you quit?" Kevin replied with "I was stealing beer from him, and, selling it to my friends. I got fired. I work at Dragon House now. The Chinese spot on Ford Street." They overhear on the bus that Brandon Tucker was locked up for stabbing his ex in The parking lot of a Wal-Mart in Springwater. Later that day At lunch, Sam is sucker-punched by Todd Collins. Todd takes Sam's bookbag. Mr. Carter chases Todd down. Todd believes that Sam was having s*x with his ex while Todd was in Juvenile Hall. The police escort Todd off school property. Later that day at work, Jake walks into Dave's to see Mark & a man in a suit talking. Mark introduces Jake to the man in the suit. The man in the suit is Mark's cousin Jimmy Brucato. Mark speaks highly of Jake towards Jimmy. Jimmy & Jake shake hands. Mark sends Jake back to Igor's Auto Repair. Jake chats with Nadya. Nadya texts Igor. He comes right out. Igor & Jake walk to the supply closet & swap bags. Jake rides his bike back to Dave's. Jake gives Mark the bag. Mark gives Jake $500. Mark gifts Jake with his own red bookbag. Jake thanks Mark for the bag. When Jake got home, He googled Jimmy Brucato. He's the owner of Environmental Care, a solid waste disposal company, in Kansas City. His real name is James Henry Brucato Jr. The next day in Math class, Jake over hears that Tim will be coming home from juvie soon. Jake wonders if there is any truth in that statement. the end of chapter 1