An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

The Safe

"She's just started reading her papers now! Just like you said, Franks." Corey reports as Frankie, Jude and he had quickly woken up once Frankie saw her Mama Dukes get out of bed around six that morning.

The three kids had all devised a plan the night before to break into her safe to get the letters praying what they devised would work. Since the woman was a light sleeper, they knew they couldn't risk it once everyone went to bed, so the morning was their best bet. Stef had a pretty strict routine leaving just enough time for them to break into the safe before they all left to get ready for a day at the bakery and Jude's day at camp.

"Which one?" Frankie whispers as Corey frowns.

"What do you mean, Franks?"

"Which paper, dumbo? She has a specific order and time she reads EACH! Go look!!!!!" Frankie hisses as Jude shakes his head.

"Now's not the time to waste on which paper she's reading, Frankie. Focus," Jude says as he pulls his black t-shirt on and black ski mask he had found packed in Callie's snow and winter clothing from when they all lived in New York City.

"You can't wear that, Jude!" Corey says as he gasps and yanks the ski mask off his brother's head. "I was arrested for that! Don't be like me!"

"Don't worry. I'm not you, Corey. I won't get caught," Jude says calmly as he grabs the mask from his brother and motions for Frankie to follow him. Corey was more nervous then ever because the last thing he wanted to do was get into even more trouble, but being the boy he was he follows farther away as he is the designated look-out for his siblings.

"Okay, hold this little flashlight, Franks," Jude whispers as he pulls over a little step stool to reach the safe which was bolted to the top shelf of the blonde's closet. Corey nervously stands by their Mama Dukes' door, as Frankie nods taking the flashlight from her little brother.

"Are you sure that powder will help you figure out the code?" Frankie whispers as Jude brushes a little bit of baby powder with Stefanie's make-up brush on the buttons of the safe. "I mean isn't there a certain order too?"

"Yes, Nancy did it all the time. Look!" Jude whispers happily as Frankie shines the light and smiles. "And, I know Mama D's number sequence. Don't worry."

"Are you guys done?" Corey whispers. "What if I see her coming?"

"Just hush and keep look out! I will come up with something if she heads this way. I sleep in here anyway so I can just say I lost something and asked you for help." Frankie whispers back for Corey was getting on her last nerve. "How the hell did you ever serve as lookout? Oh wait you sucked!"

"Hush and focus you two, and take this," Jude shoves the brush and powder in Frankie's hand as he follows Stef's fingerprints before pulling on the safe, but it doesn't open.

"Wait!" Frankie panics now as she shoves the brush and powder in her pocket. "I think we only have like two or three tries before the alarm goes off, Jude! Are you SURE you know her code? Positive?"

"It's three times. And yes, I know it. So, let me see that brush and powder again," Jude is calm as Frankie nods and hands it to him as he brushes the buttons once more and studies the fingerprints before handing the things back to his sister.

Numbers were something he knew all too well. and had a memory for them like no one else. He did know Stef changed the code yesterday morning when he was in the room with her playing with his red car. She had asked him to turn around, like always, but he had seen her punch in the numbers when he looked in her mirror that stood in front of him.

"Guys! Hurry! Callie just saw me and shook her head. She's NOT happy! What if she narcs again!!!!!" Corey comes in the room as both Frankie and Jude look at him.