BRIAN.
14 years earlier. . .
I sat in Jimmy’s garage that night turning my guitar. Matt and Zack have long gone home. I sat on a cooler and patiently tuned the guitar. I’d spent the entire day with the guys, trying to get my mind off Heather. I wasn’t mad at her for anything, it’s just I needed some time away from her to spend with my guy friends. I love her and all but we need some time apart. And she has piano today. I’ve been worried about her all day and I just want her to be safe. The world is a cruel and ugly. She needed me to protect her but she’s stubborn and strong willed. I’ve taught her how to be street smart but the stubbornness is all her. I love that about her, she won’t give up on anything even if she’s blind. She won’t give up until she’s got it in the bag.
I sat quietly, exhausted from the day I’ve had. Jimmy sat behind his drums, tapping them softly to a quick and steady beat. My gaze was caught by Jimmy staring at me carefully. I sighed and dropped my hand to my side.
“What?!” I exclaimed with a rattled tone. Jimmy shook his head and made a face.
“You’re worried about her. You’ve been worried all day.” Jimmy spoke the truth. I frowned slightly and sighed. Sadly it was the truth, it’s not that I don’t trust her, I don’t trust the world. She maybe strong and stubborn but when she’s down she’ll get kicked. And she’ll turn into a scared little girl. I needed to protect her with my life. I swallowed my pride and nodded in agreement.
“Is the great Brian Haner in love?!” Jimmy exclaimed with a loud tone. I narrowed my gaze at him and huffed a deep breath. I wasn’t in love, Heather is just my friend. I threw an old rag at him and groaned. He jumped and laughed hardily at me.
“Shut up.” I hissed at him ungratefully.
“Brian, go to her.”Jimmy instructed with a smile. I shook my head slightly.
“I don’t feel the same way about her.” I said softly. Jimmy threw the old rag at me and laughed.
“Bull fucking shit. I see the way you look at her. It is so obvious you want her.”
“Maybe as just a cut buddy.” He added. I snarled at him loudly and jumped to my feet. How dare he say that about her? He can’t say that about Heather. He just can’t. He knew he crossed the line when he said that. I narrowed my gaze at him and ran my fingers through my greasy, sweaty hair.
“I don’t want her to be a cut buddy. She deserves better.” I snarled at him loudly. Jimmy nodded and smiled widely.
“See you like her. Brian go to her.” Jimmy instructed sullenly. I smiled and nodded carefully packing away my things. I knew it was late to go knock on her door so I’ll sneak in through her window. I had the perfect place to take her. There was this festival on the docks in Long beach.
I took my dad’s car to Jimmy’s which was cool with him as long as I returned it home safely. I drove down the streets with the biggest smile on my face. It was nearly pitch black outside and it was warm. It was nice to be on summer holidays.
I pulled up in front of the house and got out, carefully skipping up the lawn in the sheer darkness. I smiled widely as I came up to the brightly lit window to see Heather sitting on the end of her bed with a key board in front of her. I tapped my index knuckle on the glass, making her jump slightly and looked over to me, she might be blind but she’s like a bat. Heather wore a pair of black shiny flats, a nice pail pink summer dress with flowers on it. It was short but classy short and slightly revealing. Her long dark hair was pulled down into lingering curls. She smiled slightly as she came over and opened the window.
“Brian?” She asked holding out her hand towards me. I smiled widely and took it. My hands ran up her arms and around her waist. She furrowed her eye brows at me curiously.
“Where are we going?” She asked softly. I laughed and helped her out the window sweetly.
“Somewhere special.” I replied with a whisper. She smiled and held my hand as we walked through the night to the car. I held the door open for her and helped her get in. I got in the driver’s side and pulled away from the curb, the music playing on the radio was quiet and set a nice atmosphere. We both were quiet and happily intent. I was so nervous about this, I’ve never taken her here before but she likes new places.
I pull into the parking lot by the docks and smiled slightly. I left her momentarily to go and get the door open for her. She held her hands out in front of her guiding herself around the car. Her fearful expression was livened when she heard the waves rolling off the beach. I laughed slightly and held her hand tightly in mine.
“Take off your shoes. It’ll be easier to walk.” I said with a gentle tone. She smiled happily and giggled. She slid off her shoes and tossed them into the car. I took off mine and my socks as well. I’m sure if I put my feet in the water I’d kill the entire marine life.
With her hand in mine tightly I led us both onto the sand; it was soft under my feet, it was still warm from the day’s sun but now the full moon huge big and bright in the dark star filled sky. We could hear the music being played by the festival on the docks not even two hundred metres away. I stopped in the perfect spot, where the music was still hearable and the sand was still soft and warm. She stopped beside me and jumped back in surprise when I placed her hands on my shoulders, guiding mine to around her waist. But her surprise turned to pace when I began swaying softly to the music. Her pursed lips curled into a resting smile. My heart was beating inside my chest as butterflies filled my stomach. Her favourite song came on, on the docks above. Tonight, Tonight by the Smashing Pumpkins. She loved this song so much and I can see why, it’s a nice song. It made her face light up brighter than the moon.
“What’s with the amazing surprise?” She asked a very good question. Why was I doing this? Why was I taking her here to this spot on this day while this song was playing? This can’t be coincidence it must be fate. I smiled slightly and hugged her closer to my body, both our chests pressing against each other. I buried my face in her hair as we swayed happily in the sand.
“I don’t know, I just thought I’d bring you here.” I replied softly into her neck. I felt her arms wrap around my neck a little tighter, she buried her face into my chest before looking up at me with a cute smile.
“I bet if I could see this would be the most beautiful thing in the world.” She said with a gentle and calming voice like the sound of the waves lazily rolling off the shore. I nodded in agreement.
“It is.” I didn’t even look around; my gaze was glued to her. It was true she was the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in this world. I guess deep down in my heart I’ve liked Heather as more than a friend. I can actually see myself marrying this girl and settling down and having kids with here in a big house. Guys aren’t supposed to do that, unless it’s the real deal. I also felt wrong for doing that not because guys aren’t supposed too but because of what I do. Some day I’m gonna need to confess to her. But today is not that day.

I guess today is that day. After I explained to Heather that it was me and the guys that were doing those robberies she saw on the News she had to sit down and think about her life entirely. I had to tell her now because now we’re expecting a child. I never wanted to tell her that I lost my job a couple weeks ago so I had the guys help me rob a liquor store, I had to sell my house and most of my things. I laid low for a while with the guys at the cabin. Now we need to move because Heather will be going on Maternity leave and I have no job. Basically in an hour I told her she was having a criminal’s baby over and over again. No matter how I put it, it always went back to that fact. I was extremely ashamed of myself for it. All of this wasn’t supposed to happen.
Heather’s doughy brown eyes found mine as she sat on the couch, her hands cupped over her mouth. She had tears streaming down her face even though I saw something in them that I’ve never seen before. Hate. A hate towards me. Her eye brows knitted together tightly and she removed her hands from her mouth.
“Who are you?” She asked with a shaky tone. I stared down at her. I was using all my strength to keep myself from breaking down. I was afraid that if I opened my mouth I’d fall apart. Heather got up from the couch and marched over to me. Her eyes studied me carefully with tears still falling down her face. For a moment there I thought she was going to slap me but what she did took me back. She kissed me. But as soon as she pulled away I heard a swooping sound then I felt a sharp stinging sensation run across my face. I winced as my hand covered the place the back of her hand met. I looked at her with watery eyes. She looked pissed and I don’t blame her.
“I swear to God Brian Elwin Haner, if you do that one more time I’m calling the cops on you.” She threatened me with a serious tone. I nodded in agreement. She won’t need to worry about me doing that again because I’m done with working that kind of job, I’m ready to go and get a normal job.

Notes