Simple Needs

$2

I woke up to a stabbing pain in my chest. I gasped, my eyes suddenly focused on my grandmother's painting where a shadowy figure stood, unloading my money into his bag. I forced myself up.

I didn't want the money, but they certainly weren't going to rob me of it. Suddenly I registered Theo's footsteps, coming out of the bathroom.

Uh-oh.

He saw the thief, who turned and saw us, and the robber took out a gun.

Theo walked forwards quickly, pushing me behind him.

"Stay in the bathroom, Rose."

I looked between the thief with my money and the gun. I didn't move.

"Rose! It's not safe here."

"You go hide," I muttered, my hands shaking at the thought of it all being taken away from me.

The gun cocked. "Stay back," the thief said. I would die before he left with his bag.

I moved in front of Theo, and he looked confused.

"Give me the bag," I told the thief my voice steady, only driven by the need. The simple need.

They looked at me, the gun trembling in their hand. Ha! They wouldn't shoot me! I walked towards them, and they backed up. I snatched the bag out of their hand and I didn't care what happened next. All that mattered was I had my money. And it was mine.

The green stopped just short of glistening as the people all smiled at being in my trusted hands again. I grinned down at it, and looked up. Theo wasn't looking at me. I needed to keep the money from him.

He left the apartment, taking the thief with him. Good. I was alone.

I rushed towards my hiding place, my hands stuffing the money back as soon as I could, counting it as I did.

Two thousand, six hundred, and fifty-two dollars.

I was missing a five dollar bill. Where was it? Where was it?

I was on my hands and knees like a dog, frantically searching for it. No, no, no. I needed it.

Why?

Don't ask me. I just needed it.

I could see Theo's silhouette coming back in. Oh, God. I rushed to rehang the picture.

Theo opened the door and bent down. He picked up the missing money. It was all I could do to keep myself in place and not foam at the mouth. How dare he take it from me!

I forced a smile on my face. I would get that money back.

He slipped it into his pajama pocket. I forced myself to look up at his face. I guess it was still an attractive face, but it was nothing compared to the little green ones.

He looked nauseated. Good. It's what he deserved.

He couldn't even make it to the bathroom this time. He just threw up in the trash can. I couldn't let him suspect me.

"Theo, are we going to go back to bed?"

"Yeah," he grunted. Once in bed, I curled up into him, and he didn't suspect anything as the bill was in my hand again.

I tucked it into my shirt, promising myself I'd remember it in the morning.

I drifted off to sleep, dreamless. I never had any dreams. Not since I was sick. But then again, a lot of things had changed since I was sick.

I never obsessed with money before. I never hid anything from Theo...

I never stole from Theo either. Lots of things changed.

I feel asleep, waking up when Theo gently shook me. The money picking up bastard.

I smiled, sitting up.

"Some coffee," he grinned, handing me a steaming mug. I drank it, standing up sleepily. He needed to leave before I could take care of the five dollars.

I looked at the clock. He had plenty of time before his work started. He hated his job, but I still needed him to go to it.

Something about the way he smiled at me as I sipped my coffee made me less mad at him. I had, after all, stolen the five dollars in the first place. I was a horrible person.

"I'll pick up some groceries on the way home," he grinned. We never really had that much food in the house.

A lump welled up in my throat. I should've told him, but my mouth wouldn't say the words.

I opened my mouth and he expected me to say something so I just said, "have a good day."

"You too, Rose."

I felt sick as he moved out the door.

I stuffed the money back in it's hiding spot and sat down. I picked up the phone.

"Hey," the other line said chirpily, "it's Beatrice here. What can I do for you?"

"Beatrice," I said slowly. "I think I need help."

"Rosella, it's been ages girl!"

"I know," I whispered. "And I think I need help."

She stopped, her voice suddenly deadly serious. "What do you mean? What's wrong?"

"I think I'm a kleptomaniac."

She burst into laughter. "Puh-lease. You've never stolen anything your goodie two shoe life."

"I have $2,657 in stolen cash right now."

She let out a shrill laugh. "Yeah? You'd have spent it by now."

"I can't spend it. That's the thing."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, every time I try to spend it I get really sick and end up keeping it and I want to hurt Theo every time he accidentally almost discovers the money."

She tutted. "I don't know what to do for that, hon. I'm sorry. If you don't mind, I have class now."

The phone line clicked and went dead. I dropped the phone and stood up promptly. I didn't want to go out, but I also didn't want to stay in where I might be tempted to steal more from Theo. I would go to the library.

I gulped and faced the mirror. I would go to the library. People used cards. It was a place of books. I would be fine. I loved the library anyways.

"Rosella," I said sternly to the lying theiving girl who served as my reflection, "please don't steal anything more today."

And then, I was out the door.