8 months later. . .
~Brian~
We’re running low on money and we need it more than ever. Heather will be in the hospital for a few days after the baby is born and who knows how long before. I can’t count on this banking job, I need to do this job with the guys sooner rather than later. Bills are stacking up and I need to make sure Heather isn’t getting stressed. She’s already working her ass off at the orchestra; she’s even taken on some projects that she has no knowledge about. For some reason when we told everybody about the baby Jimmy was really pissed off, he took Heather off to the side and talked to her. I can’t help but wonder what they were talking about.
“Brian, are you sure you want to do this?” Jimmy asked as we both sat in the backseat of the small car. I knew Heather would never forgive me for this but we need the money. I refuse to allow her and my child to live in poverty. I swallowed hard and nodded.
“Yeah, I need to do this.” I replied calmly. Today was the day that we did the robbery at the bank. Jimmy and I are going to go in first then at nine o’clock the rest of the guys will come in as armed gunmen. They’ll try and get the vault code and if he refuses, they’ll give me a good whack on the head with the blunt of the gun. Not really but we’re going to make it look like it. We’re going to actually steal the $2.5 million and frame the bank manager.
I sighed as I looked down at the picture of Heather that I had, it was recently taken so she was obviously pregnant. We’re having a little girl, we’ve named her Mason. I know she’ll be mad at me for doing this and she’ll probably never forgive me for this but we need the extra cash and she’s due any day now. I chose today to do this. Heather is at home today so when we’re done I can go home and relax for the first time in a very long time. I can’t wait until this is over. This morning I woke up, had a shower, ate breakfast and kissed both Heather and my child Good-Bye. I sat in the backseat of the car with my head hazed with memories. I frowned.

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.

With my stomach in my ass and my heart in my throat I walked into the bank with Jimmy by my side. It was like every other day for everybody, if they only knew. They casually nodded good morning to us as they got their stations ready for another day at the bank. While I went to my little desk, Jimmy went over to the security booth. I watched as Drew practically screamed at Jimmy, demanding to know what he was doing. Jimmy was turning off the cameras and disabling the security system, so no one can call the police.
I saw his ice blue eyes on me as I stood by our desks; he gave me a casual nod telling me I could signal the guys to come in. I sighed and pressed send on the text message. It was mere seconds later when the guys came barging in. Everyone got down on the floor immediately, spreading out on their stomachs.
“Everybody stay calm!” Matt yelled loudly. Zack and Johnny tied Drew to a chair while Matt started pushing me around before pushing the blunt of the ‘gun’ against my head; I flew down to the ground.

I don’t remember much after that. All I remember is being tackled to the ground by a police officer and hand cuffed. I looked up to see Heather standing at the front door with wide eyes, tears filled her face. I realized then that I was at home, they found me. It’s over. Fuck. I had tears in my eyes when I looked up at Heather. She was so disappointed and that hurt.
“I’m so sorry.”

Notes