Gunshots rang out in the streets. It was somewhat common where Jimmy lived. His father, being in an organized crime family, had taught him what really goes on in the world. He taught him how to shoot a pistol. He taught him how to rob people, and how to sell any type of drug you could think of. Essentially, his father was a true gangster. Jimmy always looked up to his father. Not because he provided a nice place to live, or because he was a man of the mob, but because he had principles that he stood by. None of Jimmy's friends were like that. But suddenly a man in a bloody suit came bursting through the door of Jimmy's house. He had always heard of shootings and people getting killed, but he had never seen it all. The man rushed through to the phone and started screaming at the person on the other line.

"Yea! He got fucking shot. Some guys from another crew just ran up on him and BANG! He's gone. Fuck what are we going to do! Shit, shit, shit!

The man paused a moment and then hung the phone up. He then turned to Jimmy with tears still in his eyes.

"Listen, kid. Times are going to be a little tough. I was one of your father's "friends". Im sorry for your loss I really am. You need to lay low for a while because the men that killed your father are probably going to be looking for you. I know a place in St. Louis you can go to. My ma lives up there. Go stay with her until this all blows over."

Jimmy just stood there wide eyed. He couldnt believe what he just heard. His father was a God to him, and now he was gone. Killed in cold blood. He knew that he needed to obey what this man was saying to him. His father always told him if anything were to ever happen to him, I was to somehow find a way out of the city. This was my chance to do just that. I ran up to my room and grabbed all the money I had and went straight to the airport. One ticket to fucking St. Louis. Some shit hole he didnt really know anything about. He didnt know anyone, but all he had was an address and some hope.

Jimmy arrived in St. Louis and took a taxi to the address he was given. He rang the doorbell and waited. A small elderly woman answered the door and greeted him with a hug.

"You must be Paulie's little friend. Sorry about your father. You can stay here, but dont be bringing any trouble in my house mister. I have a rolling pin that hasnt been used in a long time. Now go upstairs and wash up, the spaghetti will be ready soon."

Days went by and without a job, or any skills to acquire one, he decided it was time to make some money. He remembered what his father told him and started selling some weed to high school kids, and snatching up old ladies' purses. What a fucking way to make a living. Jimmy was beginning to get bored with this petty thug lifestyle, but his luck changed one day.

He was in an alley peddling some drugs when a man dressed in a brand new suit started to strut down towards him. Right then, Jimmy thought the people that killed his father were coming to finish the job. Jimmy panicked because he had no way to defend himself. Nervous, he asked the man what he wanted.

" You look a little nervous kid, you ok?" asked the man.

Jimmy didnt answer, he just looked at the man.

"No need to be hostile son, Im just here to see what product you have. Im in need of a new street man."

Jimmy pulled out some of the weed he had been selling. It was nothing much, but he could easily rip off the kids with it.

"No, no, no. This will not do. Listen, I've been watching you. You might not have known it, but I have been. Doing petty crimes and ripping kids off, huh? Not much fun if you ask me. Id like to introduce myself. My name is Diego, and I work with The Tribe. We are looking for new associates and personally I think you look promising. Id like to take you in under my wing. Show you how to make some real money and have some real fun. Would that be something you are interested in?"

Jimmy thought about it. His father was killed because of the lifestyle he was in. The same thing could happen to Jimmy if he were to follow that path. But shit, living with some old lady doing bullshit crimes was not the life for him and he knew it. He shook Diego's hand and told him he was in. Thinking back to his father, he vowed to never end up dead like him. No matter what. Jimmy Cicci, the street punk died right then, but Jimmy Cicci the gangster was just being born.