Page 115 - The Jazzsipper Novel

114

THE JAZZ SIPPER

were keeping in contact. Vance would receive a letter from Francesca at least
every other week since he had been back in the states and he would answer
all of her letters with the signature The Jazzsipper. She would describe her
European day and what she was doing or about to do at that time; Vance
looked forward to her letters. She even kept him up on what was happening
with Dino and the guys that was left behind. Francesca said that they each
received 20 years sentences and were moved to a prison close to Rome, Italy.

Being back in the states meant that Vance was back working in his
squadron in the line department. And he was not making any extra money, he
had exactly $437,000.00..His plan was to lay low for his last year in the service
and use about $32,000.00 to live off along with his paychecks. And keep
$5,000.00 in reserve for any emergencies that might come up. Vance wanted
the rest of his money for his Jazz club that he planned to open up when he
got out of the military.

Vance had started noticing the change in the urban street life from a
distance, guys were beginning to make large amounts of money selling a new
drug called crack. Even some guys in the military were involved in selling
crack and the crack using game. The crime and the murder rates all across
America were rising, people you would never ever think would use drugs were
getting strung out on crack. Vance kept hearing that voice again telling him to
stay away from that life, that it was a fool man’s game. The nightly news made
it look like a war was going on in the inner cities, he often called home and
checked on Aunt Jessie and Uncle Frank, and they would constantly tell him
how glad they were that he was not back in New Orleans. And that the city