Goodbye, I love you

I've never pulled a heist before

Peter

"Hey, man, could you pass those pliers?" I gazed around and fumbled through the tool box then I saw the pliers. "I gotta make sure this thing is sealed tight." Steve took the pliers from me. I have been here for at least two weeks, and Steve's never had any more than one customer. He doesn't tell me where he gets his parts, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't buy them. I shouldn't be too nosy. It's good enough he lets me hang around here because I am trying to not be at home right now.

It's been a while since I spoke to my dad. He's still against me taking the Basketball Scholarship. I worked really hard for that, and talking to him just turns into a screaming match that I'm personally sick of. I miss Avery. She's the only one who understands me. I shouldn't have been weird about her coming here the other day. I should call her.

"Hey, do you need me here all day or?"

"Actually, I do. We've got errands. You're finally going to see where I get all my stuff." He pulled out a box of cigarettes and lighted one.

"Oh," I wrinkled my nose as he blew smoke in my face. "can't it wait, man?"

"Nah, man." He huffed a thick cloud of smoke in my face again. "Could you not do that. . .in my face?" I curled my lips inward. "Tsk." He pressed the cigarette butt on a piece of metal in front of him and tossed it away.

***

Steve scratched his head as he glanced through the car window. I stared at Steve and waited for an explanation. We were parked by a pawn shop on the left side of the road; opposite one fenced white two-story house and several shops down the street. "Okay, so, here's the deal. We have about ten minutes before Big John leaves and—" I cut him off. "Who?"

"Pay. Attention. Kane!" He smacked his hands together. "Listen to me. Your job is easy. When I give the signal, you start the car." I squinted. "What?" He sighed in frustration. "You wanted to know where I get my parts. Well, this is it, Kane."

"I don't understand. I don't see any auto shops or anything." I looked around. "That's our jackpot, right there." He pointed at a bunch of BMWs parked by the curb in front of the fenced house. I paused for a second then my eyes widened, and I gaped. "Stealing?" I looked at him. "Are you crazy?" I squealed. "Do you know? D-do you—who are these guys?"

"Relax. It's not my first rodeo. It'll be fine. As long as you start the car right after I give the signal." He opened the door. I grabbed his hand. "I can't do this."

"It's too late man, you're already here. Stay sharp." Just like that he was crossing the road toward the cars. He was wrong. It wasn't too late; I could just leave, right now. But, I didn't. I couldn't. He was still my friend. I had my trembling hand on standby on the keys waiting for the signal which I just realized I didn't know what it was. I watched Steve moving around in the car then I saw two tall guys wearing suits and sunglasses come out of the house. I tapped my fingers on the dashboard and ran a hand through my hair. What is he doing in there? The guys hadn't seen him yet. They were talking. There were three BMWs parked, and he was in the last one. I decided to call him. My leg couldn't stop twitching.

"Steve, there are two guys, one o'clock. Get out, now!" I whispered. "Start the car."

I shakily started the car and waited for like thirty seconds and saw Steve crawl out of the car. I exhaled and inhaled. As soon as he shut the door, the alarm went off then he sprinted towards me. "Hey!" I heard the men yell as they ran towards us. "Go!" Steve hollered.

I stepped on the gas pedal, and we were gone. I kept looking at the rear-view mirror to see if we were being followed. "Looks like we are in the clear." Steve smiled. "Why are you smiling? Can you just tell me what the heck happened?" I slammed my hand on the steering wheel. "Calm down, Kane. We're fine." He pulled out a rectangular piece of equipment. I scoffed. "You've gotta be," I rubbed my forehead. "A stereo? Steve, what the heck, man?"

"Hey, this thing will last me a couple days." He put it back in his jacket. "This is how you make a living?" I asked. "I am businessman, Kane."

"You're crazy." I shook my head. "Avery was right."

"Oh, come on now. Peter, look, life is hard for people like me, and this is the only way I know."

"What exactly did you get me involved in? I mean, I don't know about you but I think it's strange that those guys didn't follow us."

"You shouldn't think about that. If you live to see another day, you don't ask questions." He stared outside. "Oh my go—okay. Who's Big John?"

"I used to work for him. A long time ago."

"Now, you're stealing from him?" I asked. He didn't answer. "What kind of work?"

"He owns a couple of gambling joints, and he's a supplier."

"Supplier for what?" I clenched my jaw. "Man, you asking questions you know the answers to."

"No, Steve. You haven't told me anything!" I snapped and slammed on the brakes. "Whoa, whoa!" He raised his hands. "Look, I'm sorry. You're right. Big John is a dangerous man, and I probably shouldn't be messing with him. But this is my way of life, and I didn't ask you to take part in it."

"You did! Steve. When you took me there."

"Okay, I see that. But you don't have to." He got out of the car. "I'll see you around, alright?" He was right. I should just be glad we got out of this unscathed. Maybe I shouldn't hang around Steve for a while. I drove away from Steve's knowing where I wanted to be at that moment. Where I should've been.

I felt my anxiety draining away as her smiling face was revealed when the door opened. "Hey! Oof,"

I hugged her. She paused for a moment then hugged back. "Is everything alright?" I exhaled and smiled. "Just fine."