1 year later.
~Brian~
Heather and I have been trying our hardest to have a baby but it's been a year and there has been no luck. Life is getting stressful again. Luckily I got a new job in a bank, because of my clean record and ability to work well with money and people. The IRS has been on our asses because like 2.5 million dollars has been reported missing over the last year. So I've been having a pay cut which means my pay isn't what it's supposed to be. I get paid like $25 a day but now I'm down to $10 a day, that's $1.25 an hour and I only work five days a week so I'm bringing in less than Heather. She brings in nearly $125 weekly but she's also working fourteen hour shifts instead of her usual eight. I’ve even been working overtime, maybe 15-16 hours a day. We're just struggling a lot right now and being stuck in a drab bank all day isn't helping my brain function properly.
I sat behind my desk which was stationed off to the side of the bank where there were two desks that had a cubical divider between them. On the other side was Vivian, a mother of two teenagers who's been working at this bank for twelve years.
I sighed as I decided to pay Heather's banking history a little visit. I usually do that when I'm about to go on break. Heather's banking history wasn't anything new, the usual weekly pay and sometimes the extra money her parents would chip in to help us get by easier.
So here I am, scrolling, scrolling, and scrolling, being the nosy boyfriend by looking at her banking history which isn't anything new to be honest until I hit something that caught my interest. I'd scrolled past it so I had to go back up to see if I wasn't just imagining it. And sure enough I wasn't. The day that we found out we weren't going to be parents after all she made a $5,000 deposit into her account. This made me go into my banking history and sure enough the same exact day a $550 deposit into my account was made. Heather got $5,550? Who did she get it from? How the hell did she get her hands on that amount of money? And it was a cheque. I clicked the date and it showed that it was from her boss; the day that she found out she wasn’t pregnant. Calm down Brian, it was probably just a raise because of the kid. I backed out of that and scrolled back up only to find something very interesting in there that I missed the first time. Every month she goes to the clinic and makes a purchase, due to Doctor/patient confidentiality it doesn’t say what she got. But it started the day after her and Jimmy went to coffee.
I felt my phone buzz in my pocket which made me bring it out to see who was contacting me. Usually if it's a call I'll send them straight to voice mail but if it's text I'll reply. An incoherent smile was placed upon my face like a shield of honour. It was Heather texting me.
Gonna be late at work, won't be home until 9-ish. :( I made pasta last night and you never ate it so you can reheat it if you want. See you at home. Xoxo. :)
Her text message made the smile fall from my face, I get off work at five but I don't get home until about six-ish so I'm spending three house all by myself. Heather and I very rarely see each other during the week which sucks. I sighed and replied to her text after looking at the clock ‘4:59’. Work is over at 5 and as far as I know I don’t work overtime today, so I’m all good.
Just as I was about to type the message when my boss, the branch manager; Drew went to the centre of the bank floor after seeing the last customer out. Drew was a bigger guy, not muscular either. He’s shorter than me but not as short as Johnny and he’s round. I’m gonna describe him in one sentence. He’s an egotistical, sadistic, over paid fat pig that sexually harasses all the women who work here and he’s fucking bossy. He told everyone the IRS will be here tomorrow to check the books so we’re all gonna need to be here bright and early.
“Brian, I need you to stay later and organize the books.” He told me bluntly. I rolled my eyes at him annoyed. And by stay late he means I stay here until almost 9. I sighed as I changed my text message.
I’m gonna be late as well, see you at home.

Not long after everybody left I was sitting at my desk, Jimmy came around to keep me company. He works at the same bank as well; he just works in a different part so I don’t see him much. Drew had us both stay behind to organize the books. Between cleaning the books out and making them presentable Jimmy would text Elise. It’s really adorable he texts Elise throughout the day to make sure she’s okay. Heather and I do that but we're both so busy that when we get a chance to check our phones we're already home together in bed. I still remember when we used to have cute little times together.
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 may be 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. Someday I’m gonna need to confess to her. But today is not that day.

I don't know how I have enough energy in me to try and reproduce, at least once a week we try. But now that I think of it, maybe since we are both so busy having a kid won't be the wisest decision to make. I want to be there for him or her but I want him or her to live like a king. I want them to have everything I didn't. I want them to be able to keep up with the latest trends and be a cool kid.
The question pondered in my head impatiently. I needed to know. I sighed and sat back in my seat carefully.
“Hey dude, I have a question for you.” I said calmly. Jimmy stood up and leaned against the wall between us. He wore a curious expression that was twisted into some worry.
"Okay..." He prolonged the word carefully.
"Remember when Heather and I lost the baby and then you and her went out for coffee?" I said smoothly trying not to remember the pain of finding out you're not going to be a father after all. Jimmy paused for a moment, taking deep breathes that were almost silent; he nodded carefully.
"Yes."
"What did you two talk about?" I asked. Jimmy's blue eyes moved from me to the wall beside me as he tried to remember that day.
"We talked about a lot of things, why?" Now it was my turn to fess up to being nosy. I sighed heavily as I felt a major head ach start to come on.
"The day that we had the ultra sound she put $5,000 in her bank and $550 in mine and then she makes monthly purchases at the clinic. I just want to know if she's okay and what the hell she's been doing." I know that right now I sound like a paranoid boyfriend but I just want to know she's not doing anything illegal, not like me. Hell I don't think Heather's ever J walked before. I watched as Jimmy's face got all twisted at me.
"You're not accusing her of selling her body, are you?" He demanded. I shook my head in denial although that would explain where the fucking money came from.
"I want to know if she mentioned anything to you." That's when his face dropped and his eyes couldn't meet mine. I knew he had something to hide. It made me sick to my stomach that they'd both hide this from me. I sighed and threw my head into my hands as I leaned forward onto my desk.
"She doesn't want to have a baby just yet so she's been trying to prevent it. She didn't want to hurt your feelings." Jimmy muttered to me. She’s been preventing it from happening all this time and she’s been doing it behind my back just to spare my feelings? I don’t know whether I should be happy or hurt. I did know I was angry though. And I planned to confront her about it. I knew that we had to get back to work so that’s what we did. The entire time I wanted to get back at her for however she got that money. I mean like your boss won’t just give you $5,550 just like that. She must’ve done something to get it, she might’ve cheated. God just the mere thought of her sleeping with someone else made me feel sick to my stomach.
I adjusted my tie as I sat there cleaning this mess up when I heard Jimmy practically choke on his oxygen. I shot up to my feet and peered over the divider.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. Jimmy’s wide eyes gleamed up at me brightly.
“I think I just found $2.5 million that has been stolen.” I moved over to his side instantly, apparently there’s an award for the people who find it or find out where it’s gone. Jimmy pointed to the savings account of our boss Drew Sharefield. He had the same amount of money that’s gone missing in his safety deposit box in this very bank. He put it in there a couple weeks ago. This is when my old ways came back to me, the rest of the night Jimmy and I plan to get our hands on that money, we all really need it and it’ll be the perfect revenge to get back at Heather and it’ll give us enough money to be stable.

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