Across the Creek (13 page)

Although he didn’t know the story of how Henry had died, he knew Sarah could in no way be at fault for it. He pulled his truck into a vacant parking lot. When Sarah looked at him, he grabbed her hand. “You do know that it’s not your fault, right?”

Lights from passing traffic revealed the tears welling in her eyes. Her hand tightened on his. “It was a long time ago. I was so young. And he…” Tears ran down her cheeks.

He wanted to take away her pain. “You don’t have to say anything.”

She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “My father’s the only one who believes me.”

“I believe you, Sarah. Whatever it is, I believe you.”

She looked into Jesse’s eyes and Jesse felt them draw him in like they had ten years ago beneath the willow tree. “Jesse?”

“Yes?”

“I’m so scared.”

“How much time does your father have?”

“Months, weeks, days. Nobody knows for sure.” Her hand squeezed tighter. “He’s my father, Jess. I can’t lose him.”

The image of the last time he had seen his mother popped into his mind. And for some reason, as if he somehow knew it would be the last time he’d ever see her alive, the memory remained as vivid as if he were watching it from a recorded video. Her smile moved from her lips to her eyes, like sunshine spreading across a field of wheat. Her long brown hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. The smell of laundry soap from her job. The way she gently pushed away the hair on his forehead to give him a kiss. It was as if she were there now, kissing his forehead, loving him. He missed her terribly.

The thought of Sarah about to lose what he had lost tore him up inside. He wanted to bring her into his arms, make her feel safe and loved. He yearned to shield her, protect her from the inevitable bomb she was about to be hit with. “You’ll never lose him, Sarah. He will always be with you.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks, landing on his hand. His heart ached for her. He couldn’t take it anymore. He brought her into his arms and held her while she cried.

Then he saw her ringless finger and realized just why she was getting married so soon, setting up the nursery so fast. She was losing a race against time.

Robbie

Robbie froze as headlights from a passing car lit up the inside of Ernie Montico’s van.

“You need to relax, champ.” Ernie’s smile brought no relief. “This isn’t like last time. You’re not goin’ to get caught.”

His reassuring words brought no relief either. Robbie looked around Ernie’s van. The same van he had sat in just before he got popped and spent two years in prison, and the last place he wanted to go back to. Ernie sat in the driver’s seat, with his silent partner, Randy, riding shotgun. The man never said more than two words at a time and never left Ernie’s side. Robbie sat in the back, smearing dark paint on his face to keep from being seen or recognized. Next to him sat Fatso. His curly black hair and greasy face made him about as attractive as his personality. And he carried about a hundred too many pounds that he blamed on a thyroid issue, although Robbie suspected it had something to do with all of the Big Macs he had seen him eating. “What’s so different about this time?”

“Look at you. A little time made you skittish.” He turned to Randy, who just gave him a nod. “Listen, Robbie. This is easy money. We’ve learned a few things since the last time you worked with us.”

“Really? Like what?” The rock in Robbie’s stomach felt sharp and jagged.

“Randy’s spent the last week casing this joint. We know the exact schedule of Old Man Neeter. That mean old bastard has a routine like a lifer in a federal prison.”

Robbie’s fingers curled into a fist.

“No offense, Robbie.” Ernie turned back toward the store and then looked at his watch. “The old man should be locking up anytime now.”

The worn sign read NEETER’S ELECTRONICS. It flickered as if about to burn out completely at any moment. And then it did. Shortly after, Mr. Neeter opened the door and locked up before leaving. The man was well known for his high-end electronics business. TVs, stereos, surround sound systems, and some appliances.

“What are we doing here?” Robbie asked. “There can’t be much cash in there. Most people buying this stuff don’t carry that much with them. They usually use credit cards and personal checks.”

“We’re not here for cash.” Randy’s deep voice rang through the quiet van and hung in the air.

“Then what
are
we here for?”

“Money isn’t the only currency. You’d be surprised at what people would pay for a 50 inch television on the street.” A menacing smile crossed Ernie’s face.

“Are you crazy?” Robbie asked. “TVs have serial numbers that can be traced when stolen. This is way too risky. Where would you even unload them?”

“I know a guy,” Ernie replied.

“Looks like someone’s having second thoughts.” Fatso pulled a Snickers from his pocket and peeled it open like a banana. “What’s the matter, Robbie? You scared?”

“It doesn’t take fear to know that this is stupid.” Robbie thought about the last time he had gotten caught. The disapproving look Jesse gave him. The devastated look in Aunt Sherry’s eyes. He couldn’t go through that again. “You know what? I can’t do this.” He started to sit up when Fatso grabbed his arm.

Robbie looked him in his greasy face. “You take your hand off of me, Fatso, or else I’ll find another place to stick that candy bar.”

Fatso looked at Ernie, who had pulled out a shiny six-shooter. “I think you oughta sit down, Robbie.”

Robbie’s heart quickened. It had been a long time since anyone had pulled a gun on him, and even then it didn’t end well. “So this is how it’s gonna be.”

“Robbie. I love you like a brother. But I can’t have you bailing on us now. We’re a team here. I need to be the look-out; I’m the wheels, which leaves two guys to do the lifting. If you bail, then I’ll have to leave half the merchandise here, which isn’t exactly good business.” He lowered the gun and smiled. “Besides, I can’t exactly have you knowing and not participating. It makes us…nervous. I’m sure you can appreciate that.”

Robbie should’ve known they’d never let him out at this point. That’d make him too much of a liability. Liabilities were usually problems that had to be dealt with quietly and swiftly. He sat down and thought of a way out of his situation.

“You’re goin’ to have to trust me, man. Everything’s gonna be fine. An hour from now you’ll be $5,000 richer.”

$5,000 was a lot of money. More than Robbie could make in a month at the pet shop—heck, in three months. He thought of the moment when Felicia had told him that she was pregnant. How excited and scared she looked. He had to do something, but what if he ended up in prison? How would he be there for her and the baby then?

Fatso finished his candy bar and balled up the wrapper before tossing it onto the floor. “He’s gone.”

Ernie turned around. “All right, guys. It’s now or never. The alarm system has sensors on the front and back doors and downstairs windows.”

“So how are we gettin’ in?” Robbie asked.

“Now you’re talkin’, champ. We’re goin’ in through the alley window on the second floor. The fire escape is out of commission, so you’ll have to use the van as a boost. We’ll drive to the back, where you’ll load the merchandise. Make sure you have everything piled in. Once we open that door and the alarm goes off, we’ll have about four minutes before the cops get here.”

The rock in Robbie’s stomach grew. He stared at the alley, trying to determine how far he would get before Ernie opened fire. That was if he even took the shot. If he did, the noise alone would cause them to take off without any merchandise.

Ernie pulled into the alley and Randy stepped out of the van. Fatso looked at Robbie and slid the side door open. “Time to get to work,” he said, climbing out. Robbie felt the van rise a few inches. Fatso nodded to Ernie before disappearing around to the front of the store.

Robbie still sat in his seat, wishing he hadn’t called Ernie, wishing he hadn’t decided to come here in the first place.

Ernie turned around and looked at Robbie. “You can do this, champ.” He pulled out the shiny gun. “I have faith in you.”

Jesse

By the time Sarah stopped crying, a storm cut through the night, a bolt of lightning arcing across the sky. “I didn’t realize it was supposed to storm tonight,” Jesse said.

“Me neither,” said Sarah, wiping away her tears with a tissue from Jesse’s glove box. “I’m really sorry about this. I doubt this is what you had in mind when you agreed to help with the greenhouse.”

“It’s fine, really. I understand.”

She looked him in the eyes. “Something tells me that you really do.”

His gaze turned up toward the sky, watching as lightning bounced like bullets ricocheting off invisible walls. “I should probably get you home before this thing cuts loose.”

“Yeah, I should probably call it a night.”

“So what was your idea for tonight anyways?”

“Oh, it was silly,” Sarah said, waving a dismissive hand.

“You can tell me.”

“Speed dating.” She flashed a faint smile, almost as if she was afraid of his reaction.

“Speed dating?”

“Yeah. I heard on the radio that there was a speed dating session tonight at Shotsy’s and you were kind of down on love back at the plant nursery. Since you aren’t really dating anyone, I thought I could help you pick out the right girl.”

Jesse sat back in his truck and stared out the windshield. He had almost walked into a speed dating session set up by Sarah. Could life be more confusing? “What makes you think that you know who the
right
girl for me is?”

“Because I know you, Jesse Malone. Not this cute but warped man in front of me, but the real you. The caring and selfless person who I knew when I was a little girl. He’s still inside you.”

“You think so?”

Sarah nodded. “I saw him tonight.”

The sky let out a thunderous roar. Jesse was no longer that boy. But he knew that it would do little good arguing that with Sarah.

He slid the truck into drive. “I’ll drive you back to your car.”

“Actually, I was wondering if you could just take me home. It’s closer. I can take a taxi back to my car in the morning.”

“Are you sure?”

Sarah nodded.

Jesse remembered the way to her apartment from the night of the party. The fight resurfaced in his mind, the way he had exploded on Kevin in front of everyone, just like his father would have. Then he wondered what it would have been like if he had had a father more like Stanley. How different things would be for him today.

Pulling up to Sarah’s apartment, Jesse parked. The silence was louder now that the engine had fallen still. Sarah looked up at her place as if debating whether or not to get out.

The sound of thunder cut through the quiet followed by a downpour of rain.

“Looks like I missed my window of opportunity.”

The blackened sky held the moon and stars hidden from sight. Puddles formed on the sidewalks. Nearby lights illuminated yellow cones of cascading droplets.

“It can’t rain this hard for long. You can wait it out in here if you want.”

Sarah turned to Jesse. Her puffy eyes pulled at his heart. “You can come in if you want.”

Jesse didn’t say anything at first. There was something about the way she looked at him. An almost longing for him to not leave her alone. The same look Kate had given him several times—except with Sarah it seemed real and sincere. He opened the door a little and said, “Are you ready?”

The slightest smile curved Sarah’s lips. She nodded.

Jesse knew that going upstairs with her was probably a mistake. But that was the funny thing about mistakes: your heart always found a way to rationalize, a way to explain it away as you stepped ever further to the abyss, even if your mind knew better. ‘Nothing will happen. We’re just two friends hanging out, right?’

Jesse pulled his shirt over his head, trying to avoid the rain’s assault. But—

“You’re drenched,” Sarah said as they reached her apartment, catching her breath.

“Me? Look at you?” Her T-shirt was soaked enough to ring out. Jesse couldn’t help but notice the way it clung to her body, revealing a shape of pure beauty. He shifted his gaze to her face. Blond curls stuck to the side of her face and her smile went from ear to ear. Her eyes lit up as if the rain had somehow rejuvenated her, washing away the darkness, leaving only light. She looked incredible.

She pulled her hair back, tying it into a ponytail. “Stay here. I’ll get you something to dry off with.”

Jesse stood with his arms away from his body, trying to keep his cold wet T-shirt from touching his skin. He watched as Sarah vanished into the room on the other side of the kitchen. The place seemed larger now that it wasn’t full of people. He looked over at the sofa that he had tackled Kevin over and the spot where he had received his bruised ribs. It was definitely not one of his finest moments. He walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. The sounds of opening and closing drawers filled in the silence as he waited.

She returned a few moments later, wearing a pink sleeveless sweatshirt with an oversized collar, revealing her smooth-skinned shoulders. The EVERLAST logo reminded Jesse of the bags hanging at the gym where he used to help Robbie train for a fight. White workout shorts showed off a pair of perfectly shaped legs. “Here you go.” She handed him a towel.

Jesse rubbed the towel over his head. “I don’t think I’ve seen rain like that in…” He thought, trailing off. “I guess ever.”

Sarah leaned against the counter beside him and crossed her arms. “It’s like a hurricane out there.”

Jesse blinked. Had she just been checking him out? Before he could tell, though, she glanced away.

He wiped his face and arms, but his clothes were drenched, making it impossible for him to get dry.

“Why don’t you give me your shirt and pants and I’ll throw them in the dryer.”

Jesse studied her. “You do realize that I’m not that easy, right?”

Color filled Sarah’s cheeks. “Don’t worry,” she said, “I promise to be a good girl.” There was something about the way she said this that sent Jesse’s heart fluttering. “You’re safe with me,” she whispered.