Shrink Wrap

[Gabriel Innazoia II]

Two weeks had passed since Rob was attacked in the park. In those two weeks Gabriel had made very good friends with his baby brother's sofa. Only to turn around and become sworn enemies with it after an incident with a rogue spring. Things in the lab had more or less gone back to normal after two men were arrested for attacking Rob. Gabe was fairly certain that they were not actually the guys who had done it. But whoever had set them up had done a good job of it and he figured they had it coming anyway. The only thing left at work that was still not right was the situation with Detective Valentine. Those who already were aware of what was going on there were keeping it to themselves out of respect. Pops had been out of state at the time it was revealed that he had a bastard son, and would not be back until the end of the month so no real confrontation could be made.

The Innazoia ducked under the yellow crime scene tape which surrounded the 7-11's parking lot. Gloves on and kit in hand he made his way towards the pools of blood drying in the afternoon sun. Camera out he began to photograph the scene of the hit and run which had taken place less than an hour prior. Some college kid from New Jersey had been hit coming out of the convince store by some asshole in a black sedan. The scene seemed to mostly consist of blood, Doritos, and slushee. Along with the usual parking lot trash, gum, and cigarette butts.

Fifteen minutes into processing the scene the sound of screeching tires and yelling policemen drew his gaze away from the ground. Blue orbs widened in a mix of shock and horror as a black sedan came flying through the police tape and across the parking lot towards the crime scene analyst. Green converse began to move as legs broke into a run in the opposite direction. Form tried to make a wide zig-zag out of the vehicles way but it moved with him loosely. The mobster's son made a dash into the nearest alleyway. Car right on his heels he quickly climbed over the chain link fence. Wire rimmed glassed fell off of his face and onto the busted up concrete. No time to pick them up Gabe continued to propel himself forward. Black sedan crashed through the fence after him and would of hit him too had he not thrown himself recklessly into the pile of trash bags that just seemed to be waiting for him. Car plowed through the alley nearly running down an old lady and a bike messenger as it flew out into the street.

Cellphone began to ring in his pocket. Standing up he pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the name. If anything Rob had impeccable timing. Raising it to his ear he flicked a piece of lettuce off of his shoulder. "This better not be about the milk." Feet moved over to where his glasses lay crushed but the fucking car he nudged them with the toe of his tomato covered shoe.

[Rob Innazoia]

Clear water barely rippled around the motionless frame that remained leaned back along cool, untouched surface of the porcelain tub. Slowly seated frame slunk downward until warm water brushed against defined cheek bones and tightly pressed lips. Two weeks was a long time and it was defiantly taking its toll on the youngest Innazoia. Especially with the constant and very much watchful eye of his older brother Gabriel. Not that having Gabe around wasn’t somewhat enjoyable, Rob actually found it more appealing than he had initially figured. Understandably, it made a few aspects of the baby Innazoia’s life rather difficult. The most demanding would be allowing the silent voice of need to remain just that, simple whispers. Rob was in dire need to return to the working life, this constant sitting about was simply driving him mad. He’d gotten a few visitors, some calls from work if one of his fellow techies found themselves stumped, but for the most part co-workers kept to themselves. Under strict rules set in place by Gabe no doubt.

Subtle grumble escaped tightly pressed lips as head slipped entirely under the embrace of water. Closed eyelids slowly opened underneath the surface, watching the small bubbles roll of his flesh. Auditory senses picked up on the slight shrill of ring but wrote it off as simply a play on senses, until he heard it once more. Quickly naked physique sat up in the tub surrounded by the shrill ring of telephone cut deeper into hearing. Grimacing softly palms rounded the side of the basin pushing frame upwards to catch standing balance. Sensory pads of touch brought towel downward from rack, working the soft fabric into a firm fasten along prominent hips, encasing his lower half. Tongue slowly slipped across bottom lip as lower limbs moved forward, bare soles of feet slipped along the cool texture of flooring but managed to recover without much notice. Machine picked up and Rob found himself slowing down in his rushed pace towards the phone.

“Robert… Gabriel… pick up the phone. I know one of you boys has got to be in. Gabriel, you better not have let Robert go back to work. Are you boys coming to dinner tonight? I haven’t seen Robert since the hospital, I’m going to have to come visit you two - make sure you boys aren’t getting in too much trouble under one roof. Hopefully I’ll see you two tonight.” Robert allowed his head to fall back with slight annoyance with the very thought of having to be doted over by his mother. Since that night, youngest Innazoia had managed to heal most of the wounds physique had received within central park. Mocha tinted irises caught sight of his reflection as head tilted to the side before quickly rolling back with the release of popping joints. Rough palms rounded the marble countertop, fingertips applying pressure downward as upper torso leaned forward. He still had a small laceration along his bottom lip, hazed bruise surrounding eye, and a few deeper bruises still decorated his skin in a few places. Wandering sights caught the scar across his left rib line before palm flipped off the bathroom lights and stature headed towards his bedroom to get dressed.

Crimson hued shirt and grey sweatpants now donned his semi-muscular physique. Innazoia grumbled as he lowered himself behind his laptop, reading over a few e-mails that fellow co-workers had sent alongside a few questions revolving about blood spatter. Apparently, the new guy was creepy. Curvature of lips slowly pulled back into a slanted grin as attentions shifted towards looking up his newly acquainted friends. That was one good thing about Gabe going back to work, Rob was able to research. Eyes glanced over the blinking red light of the answering machine before taking in a deep inhale, hand worked over the phone and proceeded to punch in Gabe’s cell. A few rings later and the familiar Italian voice came over the line, “This better not be about the milk.” Younger sibling gave the obvious sarcastic jovial laugh, “Nice, the reference back to the milk man’s son joke was subtle… work on it some more, it’ll be better with less heavy breathing.” Gabe gave a slight grunt before continuing, “Whad’ya need Rob, I’m kind of busy at the moment.”

“Right, work… which I would be back at if it wasn’t for some prick who mentioned to Mac, that I needed a few more personal days.” “Yeah, yeah but I know deep down you didn’t want to miss your shows on the National Geographic channel. Sit tight kid, you’ll be back at work in two days.” Rob grumbled, “Just sitting around aint my thing. Ma called. Says if we cancel on another dinner, she’ll come over and stay with us… I think the jig is up brother, we’re going tonight.” Gabriel gave a subtle laugh, “It’s like she has a sixth sense about these things.” Rob scoffed, “Or someone tipped her off that I’d be home 24/7 as of late.” “You really that gung-ho to be back in the lab? …get dressed, properly dressed no lounging clothes - just cause you almost got beat to death don’t mean you can disobey dress code. I’ll be by to pick you up in twenty.” “Gabe, why you breathing so hard… don’t tell me ma’s cooking has gotten to you at an early age.” “Twenty minutes smartass.”