Something Priceless

Scooters

"Th-thanks, Puffball, for a-advising me with that l-lawyer," commented Henry as he and Puffball started walking home. Henry was trying to avoid the creepy stares from the people standing by...

Then again, maybe they're looking at how cute the stroller is for Vanny.

"Yep. I can't pay for a lawyer so it's nice that they provide, but what now?"

"Huh?"

"How will you make money now?"
Henry saw a truck pass by and t was heading for the local bank. A smile grew on his face, but Puffball grabbed his collar.
"You just got out of jail. If you get back IN jail, I'm not sending you SHIT. Not even pictures of Vanny growing, audio files of her first words, no nothing."

"Fine... I d-d-do have a pl-plan though. Gi-give me th-three days. I'll h-have money."

"By stealing?"

"...maybe..."
I swear Puffball was trying to give himself a black eye.
"What!? N-name a job that w-won't judge me!"

"A-"

"That's NOT A-Amazone!"

"Er... retail?"

Henry took in a deep breath as he stopped walking.

"Boi," he said. Yes, he did the thing. "H-have you... H-have you SEEN r-retail?..."

"What's wrong with retail?"

"Karens..."

"Oh yeah... Especially after the pepper spray incident at Moondropbucks..."

"A-and von Ronald's in A-Albuquerque."

"True. Fine, but what are you gonna do? Vanny can't stay in a crappy motel all her life and there's a problem with my work's paychecks. I'd love to help you with Vanny, but I'm having a hard time keeping myself afloat."

Henry never heard of this news...

"I'm... so sorry, Puff... Wait... w-what do you do f-for a living?"

Now that Henry thought about it, Puffball never told him what his line of work was. If anything, he thought he'd see signs of Puffball's work at his place, but he found no documents, uniforms, or anything.

He had never even seen Puffball LEAVE the motel room while he was there! So what the fuck does he do to pay the bills!?

"...I babysit."

"... ... ... ..."

"What?"

"There is no f-f-f-fucking way you're s-s-surviving off babysitting money."

"I CALL it babysitting. You'd be surprised as to how much I'd make in a week."

"Then w-why are you in a crappy m-motel?!"

"As I said, there's a problem with my paychecks at the moment."

"MAIL!"

"Do you know how many mailmen steal paychecks?"

"W-what?"

"That's a no. Whatever. All you need to know is that I am currently not getting paid and my line of work will pay me all in one lump sum plus an additional bonus."

Puffball is now the luckiest mother fucker that Henry and most likely you as the reader will ever know. Henry is annoyed as hell and is strongly considering asking what the hell kind of job Puffball has...

...nah, it could be sketchy as hell. Too dangerous for him, let alone get Vanny involved in that kind of life...

Then again... All Henry knew how to do was steal for others and himself which shouldn't be a life that Vanny has to inherent...

She may have a potential wanted criminal for a father, but Henry was going to make the best effort in the way he knows best to give his daughter a life where she doesn't have to become one to survive.

Of course, Henry knew that she might disown him for what he's done, but seeing her happy and living a good life was more than enough for him. Yeah, that would make it all worth it.

He does not need to be a part of her life all the way, just giving her the support and love she deserves...

It was time once again to steal the diamond. This time, he was going to do what he did best. No matter what he does, he will take pride in his actions knowing that this is no longer just for his survival or his parents. This is now so that Vanny will live a better life than he could dream about!

...or at least a better life that he could provide for Vanny.

With a fire burning in his heart, Henry revved up his scooter and rammed through the front doors. He then zipped past more guards grabbing a shield for protection against the bullets.

He eventually crashed into the glass of the diamond exhibit scaring a familiar voice.

"JESUS SHIT, STICKMIN!" said Ms. Calvin.

"Y-you know who I am?!" said Henry in pure shock. "HOW!?"

"A fuckin' elephant farted your name; YOU TOLD ME YOUR LAST NAME AS WE FOUGHT, YOU JACKASS! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK!?"

"Holy shit, she's perfect," Henry thought. Then he remembered what the fuck he was doing.

"S-sorry, toots! Gotta go!" he said as he hooked up the tow cable to the diamond and fled. Yes, he regretted calling her toots, but he didn't have the time.

Right out the back door and onto the road. Oh hey, it's Rupert and he got a new partner... and he looks like he's gonna run him over...

Rock to the rescue!

Nice!

Uh oh, police chopper!

Bubble shield!

Phew. Made it to the tunnel.

OH SHIT!

Henry screeched to a stop on the edge of the broken bridge. He had to think of something as Rupert is talking.

Wait, what? Triangular darts to their necks?

"GO DA FUCK TA SLEEP, COPPERS!" yelled Ms. Calvin. Rupert turned to face Ms. Calvin. "Sorry, Price. I got a bone ta pick with dis shit'ead."

"Fuck... you... Delara," he said before passing out.

So her name is Delara Calvin. She pulled out a gun from her hat and aimed it at Henry's head.

"EXPLAIN YOURSELF, STICKMIN!" she roared again. "You came from da ceiling an' knocked me out inside da joint, you followed me ta where I snuck in while becoming a giant, gettin' as shit, then kickin' my ass, AN' NOW DIS!? WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING WITH ME, US, EVERYONE!?!"

"Y-y-you wouldn't g-g-g-ge-g-g-get it," Henry said as he weighed his options. He could not leave without this diamond for Vanny, but he was at gunpoint.

"Try me!" she said while gritting her teeth.

Henry sighed. He knew better than to tell a stranger about his powers. His parents at least taught him one important lesson in life.

Use your gift, but be careful with what you use it for or who you show it to.

"S-sorry," he said while pushing the diamond off the edge making him fall into the water below and he was hoping for the best.

Delara fired the gun, but it missed. She then dived after him leaving the cops there on the bridge for that chopper to eventually find.

Henry woke up to sunlight as he was coughing up water. His scooter was broken so he had to walk home and the pretty Delara was nowhere in sight...

...but at least he washed up with the diamond safe and sound. Ha, now that was lucky.

Henry cried tears of joy as he hugged the diamond as if it was Vanny. He did it. He could pay for the bills, food, and provide for sweet Vanny.

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The story doesn't end here...

Word Count: 1234...