Serendipity

Chapter 7. The Story of Us

Chapter Seven ~ The Story of Us 

“I don’t need you to tell me what to do,” Sam said, her voice rising with each word. “I’m nineteen for Christ’s sake. This may be a shock to believe but I’m an adult now!”  

Levi simply waved his hand in dismissal. “Do we really have to talk about this now?”  

Sam sucked her teeth. “No, because you’re going to mind your own business from now on.” She jabbed her finger into his chest.  

I stood there, watching as the siblings argued with each other. I had arrived at the mansion a few minutes ago. It looked much better in the daylight. Their house was exactly as it was in the pamphlet and other books that I’ve read. Aside from a few simple additions to the house, it looked the same. 

“Damien, will you excuse us?” Levi asked. Before I even had the time to respond, he grasped onto his sister's arm and led her out of the room.  

“I’ll be right here,” I whispered to myself and watched them leave. I stuck my hands into my pockets and began to rock back and forth on my heels. As I let my eyes roam over the house, I realized what I was getting myself into. This was my life. 

When I was a kid, Mom and Dad stole anything they could get their hands on. Jewels, credit cards, silverware, paintings and so forth. We were the less fortunate. My parents believed that rich people existed only to satisfy the needs of the poor. They never got married but I was there to show the proof of some sort of connection. Eventually, Mom got arrested and Dad was angry. I remembered him pacing around whatever apartment we were living in at the time, throwing things around and cursing.  

“This isn’t the way it’s meant to be,” he told me one night. “We’ve got nothing now.” He turned towards me, eyes glistening. His mouth stretched into a grin as he helped me to my feet. Without saying a word, he took me outside. We had walked for what seemed like eternity before he stopped outside of a house. We stood there, unmoving, until Dad finally made his move.  

He scooped me up in his arms and walked to the porch steps of the house. He set me down on the rocking chair and smiled. “Don’t say a word, son.” Dad ran his fingers through my black silky hair and smiled. He disappeared inside of the house and I waited there. The next thing I heard were a series of gunshots. I had to clasp my hands over my ears to block out the sound. I didn't remember what happened after that but I knew the next day, I had new clothes and Dad wasn’t sad anymore. 

I knew that he had done something bad but I didn’t know what to do about it. Dad told me that it had to be done and that he would never do anything like that again. Which is why I was even more surprised when we found ourselves inside of another house. This time, Dad said he needed something to last us the week. The residents of the house were on vacation in the Hampton’s so he said we’d be safe. 

It was then, Dad discovered the wonders of elements. Gold, silver and copper were considered to be much more valuable than money. They were easy enough to find if you looked in the right places and they didn’t draw too much attention. Before the families knew that they were missing, we would already be long gone. That is why Dad said it was a safe bet.  

The story of my life can be told in things. Things that aren’t mine, things that will never be mine, things that I yearn for but I can never have. That was all I’ve ever known.  

“I can’t believe you’re still here.” Sam let out a soft giggle as her sweetheart face came into view. “Sorry for keeping you so long. My brother and I were having a little disagreement.”  

I nodded shortly. “Do you mind me asking what about?” 

“Oh nothing." She avoided my gaze, glancing around the living room. “Levi’s just really demanding, that’s all.”