the roses of life

the heist

I gazed at the house in front of me, it was in the back of the neighborhood, hidden from all the houses. It looked about two stories, but maybe it had a basement and an attic filled with junk that would be a treasure to any other man. It would be a treasure to me at least, everything I have I keep warm and close, like its glass and it will break if I handle it too rough it will just shatter. I have a photo of my mom that my dad doesnt know exists. It's her sitting on the couch with that great big smile she has, holding our long past cat with a half finished puzzle in front of her. Everything seems so perfect and peaceful.

My life isn't perfect and it sure as hell isn't peaceful, so I looked down at the letters one more time before ripping one open and staring at a check for 10,000 dollars. My eyes watered up and I choked back some tears. I haven't seen this much money since my mother died, she worked so hard so my father would fulfill his dream of taking over his father's post office. Well look where all this hard work got her, and now i'm stuck with a dead beat dad and drunk. I looked back up at the nice house and figured they wouldn't miss the money.

I shoved the check in my pocket and crumpled up the envelope, chucking it into some nearby bushes before taking off on my skateboard. I've never stolen anything before, especially money, but this was too good to let go of. I thought of all the things I could buy with the 10,000 dollars, maybe buy a new skateboard or some ice cream. I smiled for the first time as I skated back to my father's job, dropping the empty bag on the front desk and before my father could say anything I was off again. I made up my mind, I was going to buy a new skateboard.

I skated all the way to the small shop where they sell skateboards in my neighborhood. Looking at all the different options I thought my heart would explode out of the chest. There were blue ones with what looked like geometric mountains hand painted on, and there were ones with a pink to red gradient with a woman painted onto it. I had so many choices, and i didnt even know where to start. I was like a kid in a candy store no- i was happier then that, i was me in a skateboard shop. That was happier than a kid in the candy store, way happier than anyone else could ever feel. After a while of looking i found it, the perfect beard. It was black with a skeleton dancing on it. It made me chuckle and hell did i need to chuckle more than i did.

I happily walked up to the front desk and placed the skateboard on top of it. It was exactly 120 dollars and I had just the right amount to waist on it. I happily placed the check on the table when she asked for the money, but gave me a confused look,

"dear, you can't pay like this you need to cash the check and where exactly did you get this money from?" she asked suspiciously.

I choked on my words before speaking, "I'll be going now," i mumbled quickly and walked out of the store, grabbing my old skateboard off the wall and skating away. I needed to find a way to cash this check before anyone notices it's gone. My father should be home by now so i need to hide this check as soon as i get back.

Once I was back to my house I kicked off my shoes and ran to my room, tossing my skateboard to the side and shoving the check in a jar of quarters I had been saving up for a new skateboard. It looks like i don't need that money anymore, with this check i can buy anything i've ever wanted and more. I pulled off my work shirt and tossed it onto the ground where the rest of my clothes lay, next I flung myself onto my bed. Finally the exhaustion of skating all day was catching up to me and I slowly drifted to sleep.

I found myself not being able to sleep, i layed in my bed for hours but I just couldn't. I couldn't stop thinking of the envelope I tossed into the bushes, what if they found it? Then they would have my fingerprints and I'd be in big trouble. A part of me wanted to go to college but if i were caught there was no way i'd be able to get into even a community college. I could hear my heartbeat and I broke out into a cold sweat. Looking out my window I noticed that it was completely dark outside.

I couldn't bring myself to give the money back but I needed to get that envelope before anyone found it. I got up and put on a shirt and slipped on my shoes. I grabbed my skateboard and a jacket off the coat hanger by the door. Despite how heavy my legs felt i skated all the way to the neighborhood where i stole the check front, and all the way to the house in the back. Once I was there memories came flooding back of the crime I committed in this exact spot, but there was no time to think about that.

I crept up onto the lawn and to the brushing, and as quietly as i could i shuffled through the blushes until i found the crumpled up envelope, i finally got a good look at it, reading the name on letter, "martin silva," i read aloud and took the uncrumpled envelope, noticing that i missed a letter stuck to the inside.

It read "dear mr. silva, We are happy to announce your paintings have brought in upwards of 20,000 dolors and due to our deal of you getting 50% of all earnings we are happy to blah blah blah.." my brain trailed off as I read it slowly to myself. I didn't read it slowly by choice, I just couldn't read fast at all.

Suddenly there was a flash and my heart stopped, I stumbled out of the bushes and looked around, but there was nothing around that could have made such a bright light. I ran to my skateboards, clutching the envelope in one hand as I skated away as fast as I could. Once I was back to my house I slowly snuck in and kicked off my shoes, onces i flicked on the lights. Jen was standing in my way, arms crossed and she smelled like booze and b.o. The scent almost made me gag and throw up my coffee from the eiler.

She must have just gotten home because when I left her car was still gone, "hey kiddo, where have you been?" she asked, snickering under her breath.

"It's none of your damn business.." i grumbled and shoved past her.

She gritted her teeth and ripped then envelope out of my hands, "what do you have here?" she questioned and pulled out the letter, quickly reading it over. She looked back up at me and grinned, "so you're stealing from peoples mail boxes now? Hah! I knew you were just like your father," she taunted, " a dead beat, good for nothing." she cackled to herself and shoved the letter into my chest "he'll hear about this in the morning." she said contently.

I clutched the paper and ran off to my bedroom, locking the door behind me. I never wanted to leave my bedroom, I just wanted time to stop and I wanted to stay in this place forever. I knew I'd have to face my father in the morning no matter what. My hand caressed my own cheek and memories of all my father's drunk episodes came flooding back to me.

It took awhile but i finally drifted to sleep, only to be woken up by a loud banging at my door. I almost forgot what happened last night but once i was fully awake it was like the dam broke and everything was rushing back. I bit my lip and shakily opened my door. My father looked down at me, pissed and drunk. "You think you can just start stealing from me?" he snarled and stepped into my room.

I back up, "dad.. Im sorry.." i admitted since there was no way around it all. He raised his hand and I shut my eyes and prepared for the slap, but when it didn't come I was surprised. Instead there was a banging at our front door, behind him stood jen, and she was all too happy to watch me get beat.

My father left to go answer the door and came back with a frown on his face, "the cops are here." he said simply.