Short Cuts

Even Nicolas Sparks couldn't find a sliver lining for this mess.

The tall dark man towered over me, I-I-I couldn’t breathe.

“Well, what have you been doing with yourself?”

I didn’t reply.

“Not much huh?” He curved his head to trace the food labels on the food rakes. “Well if your not going to talk, I will.”

A mellitus sneer twisted on his face. He was rough looking, not a typical person you would see strutting around the city, maybe if he got himself a new outfit, a working shower and razor that perception could be changed but I didn’t see that fantasy happening anytime soon.

“I’ve been dealing with… your kind, you know people who like to borrow and not give back; quite selfish I add.”

I knew whom “your kind” qualified as; a cold lightweight sensation began to stir inside my stomach. He saw that he had hit a nerve.

“Awwww now, now Eddie, don’t get mad at me.” He dropped to my level; I struggled as he grabbed my head to make sure my attention wasn’t going to anywhere else in the store.

“You knew we were coming, you knew exactly the way we work and so did your brother, he just…was too stupid to function like a normal human being would be able to.”

I broke free of his grasp, pushing my palm to his chest making him lose his balance with temporary shock.

“You killed my brother. What do you need from me?” I spat out at him through my clenched teeth as I rose from the ground below me. By this time he had joined me, he stood inches away from me, not wanting anyone else to hear.

“Chloe.”

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It was about a month since Roger gave a David a job at the bookstore, as far as the decision went; I was not enjoying it. Don’t think that it’s the new kid being brought back from the hospital only to replace me that I have the problem with, it’s the fact that he almost robbed us and shot me dead last month that I have a problem with.

“Where should I put these?”

David stumbled into the front of the shop. He was barely grasping the ends of it. This is why Roger should hire adults, because they can actually hold the merchandise.

“Ed?...” He almost dropped the box but luckily I was only a few long strides away.

 “Careful, are you trying to deduct our weeks pay?”

I knew that I was being harsh but he had almost shot me not that long ago, but according to Roger “forgive and forget”.

“S-s-sorry Ed, I’ll be more careful next time.” He ducked his blonde hair in shame and quietly walked over to the basement stairs. I had a moment of pity for David, he was young like [16 years old] and handsome boy, and he was working here not mention the robbery, how does a boy his age even get a gun anyway? All these added up to he’s got it pretty rough, kind of like me.

“David, come back here.”

He froze and gradually twisted around, after a few seconds accessing if he was safe to approach me he did as so. I crossed my arms and lent against the counter.

“Why’d you rob this place?”

I was curious, not angry I thought I’d give the kid a break. He looked absently down at the ground then guilty back up at me.

“I needed the money.”

I kind of thought he wouldn’t rob a place without a real reason; he wasn’t the type, I just wanted to know what that real reason was.

“What for?”

He gave a heavy sigh.

“Why should I tell you? I mean, shouldn’t you be busy stabbing me in your mind or something? Because the last time I checked 3 weeks ago I was holding a gun to your head.”

I snorted a little.

“Actually it was 4 weeks ago. I’m interested. Can you really blame me for wanting to know more about my almost killer.”

He looked very apologetically at me, I gave him a reassuring smile; at this point I kind of figured he needed it.

“When I was 12 my dad walked out on my mum. She couldn’t handle it.” He paused for a belief minuet then carried on. “So me and brother got taken away.”

“I take it you didn’t stay long then?”

He snorted.

“Not long at all. That’s why I needed money, for food and to pay off the rent at a room in the hotel we’re staying at.”   

I stared blankly out the window for a while. I could still remember days with my brother when we had to heat up old dinners because he couldn’t afford to pay off bills for the week, as messed up as he was, I never went hungry. I pulled back into reality.

“How olds your brother?”

“Well, right now he’s 7 but he’ll be 8 next Monday.”

I nodded my head thoughtful.

“You know it’s not illegal for a boy of your age to be looking after an almost 7 year old?”

He flashed a quick monument of panic, yet he didn’t flinch; his face told all.

“Your not going to call anyone are you? I’m doing fine on my own. Even if you do you won’t find us, will just find another crappy hotel, there’s millions around these parts.”

Having David tell me this story made me realize something, no matter how screwed up my brother may have been he fought of every single day just to pay the bills, or put food on the table, or keep a stable roof over our heads. He cared more than both our parents ever did; he cared about me more than anyone ever had. Maybe it was time I stepped up to the plate?

“Your right I won’t find you or your brother in that crappy hotel room, or any room for that matter.”

He watched at me confused.

“What?”

I removed myself from staring out the bleak window, to face him.

“You and your brother can stay at mine, it’s not a plaice but it’s a free stable roof over your head. So you can get back on your feet.”

He gave me a pokerfaced look.

“What if I don’t need it?”

Did he really just ask me that?

“You do.”

He continued the face but turned to look at me.

“Thanks Ed.”

I smile developed on my face.

“Your well come Dav.”

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