Vinny
VINNY
S he keeps watching Toni and I can practically see the wheels turning in her head. She doesn’t trust him.
“Yo, Toni,” I call out to him as we walk past the two cars we planted and head through the parking lot to the other side of the vacant strip mall. We drove Cherry’s car around the block first. It added on a few minutes to the walk, but I don’t want her car out front just in case they find the money gone before Thursday morning. I can’t be too careful. It was awkward as fuck driving in the car. She’s tense. But she’ll be better once this is over with.
The orphanage is close. A five-minute walk if we step on it, and that’s the perfect amount of time. But I don’t like the way Cherry seems to be so damn uneasy. The faster we get this shit done, the better.
Toni takes a look over his shoulder, he’s leading the way. We have to go this way to avoid the cameras. The direct path goes right through the convenience store, and there’s surveillance in that parking lot. So we’re gonna avoid that and take the long way around.
Cherry’s keeping a safe distance from Toni. I wish she’d knock it off, but she has no reason to trust him.
“Whatcha want, Vinny? I’m not slowing down,” Toni answers as he hops over the chain link fence on the edge of the parking lot and turns to wait for us.
It’s a clear shot from here on over to the other street.
“Give her the backpack,” I tell him. He looks at me with a bit of confusion as I swing my legs over the fence and hop over easily. My sweet cherry is struggling a little. She’s on the petite side and I’ve got my hand out for her ready to brace her body, but she’s gripping the chain links of the fence.
“Alright sure, it’s a little heavy though.” He walks quietly over to Cherry as she tries to right herself. She almost landed on her ass, but I’ve got a good grip on her waist.
“Here little mama,” he says, holding it out for her to take. We’re hidden behind the bushes, but as a car passes, we all freeze. No one’s out this late on Christmas Eve unless it’s to go to the parade on the other side of main street. There aren’t any houses over this side of town either. The orphanage is basically on its own on the outskirts of town.
I hold my breath as the car passes, the lights from the headlights peeking through the bushes. I step in front of Cherry and Toni huffs a small laugh at me.
“Calm down, we’re home free.” He looks relaxed and happy. Truthfully, this is an easy heist. We’re so close to being done. I can taste it.
The car passes without incident and Cherry reaches for the bag, her eyes on Toni.
Her expression falls as he drops the full weight in her hand and she hunches forward to get a better grip.
“Holy shit,” she mumbles and then shakes her head, shoving the bag back at Toni. “You take it.”
Toni looks up at me, and I give him a nod. I just wanted her to see that it’s not about the money for him.
It was never about the money. It’s about the fact that the town wanted those kids to have a chance. That money isn’t for toys. It’s for the electric bill, the hot water. It’s to put food on the table and shoes on their feet. I know how much those simple things in life can make a difference. And I know that Mrs. Pilcavage is struggling and that she’s worried about the money that was supposed to come from the donation, but never came.
My anger rears up inside of me and I lead the way, my hand splayed on the small of Cherry’s back. “Let’s go,” I tell them.
I crouch beneath the low-hung branches of the trees across from the orphanage and look both ways. No one’s here, and all but one light in the whole house is off. I look for a sign that someone’s watching, but there’s no one here and no one looking.
Quickly, we cross the street and head straight over to the side door on the house. The outside light is on, so if someone comes, they’d see us instantly.
“Hurry.” Cherry’s fear is evident in her voice as Toni swings the bag off his shoulder and quickly starts shoveling the money through the slot. I take Cherry by the waist and lead her in front of him, the two of us blocking anyone from seeing him.
“You look like you’re up to no good,” my cherry says in a low voice. And I think she’s playing with me with that smartass mouth of hers until she pulls on my jacket. Oh shit, I almost forgot about the all black I'm wearing. I quickly shuck my sweater off, I was hot anyway, and toss it into the trashcan out front.
“Toni, you too.” He rises from his position, shoving the last bundle through the slot and then the card wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the kids at the orphanage. I know Mrs. Pilcavage, we both do. She’s a good woman and when she wakes up tomorrow and sees that money, she’s gonna cry with joy and relief. I know she will. It makes me proud to be able to give her back a sense of peace that she gave me all those years ago.
The town clock chimes as Toni stands up and chucks his black jacket off, revealing a beige thermal underneath, shoving the jacket and the backpack both into the trashcan. We toss our gloves and ski masks into the next trashcan and keep walking.
No more evidence. It’s done.
I finally feel like I can breathe. The three of us stroll down the street, heading toward the main road where we’ll meet up with the parade and blend in. I wrap my arm around Cherry’s waist, but she pulls away and runs to a blue metal post office box on the corner of the block. She pulls a small package out of her purse, covered in brown wrapping paper with an address written in black sharpie.
“What’s that?” I ask as she drops it into the box. She smiles and says, “The video surveillance of Morose.” Pride’s written on her face.
I huff a laugh and say a prayer that Morose pays for what he did. At least we’ve done everything we can do. The rest is in the law’s hands.
“You alright?” I ask her as Toni walks ahead. He’s got his hands shoved in his pocket and he’s breathing easy. I am too, if I’m being honest. Cherry’s not, she seems tense and she’s looking every which way like someone’s just waiting to get us. She gives me a small nod, but I know she’s still a little shaken.
I’m a reformed man, but this isn’t the first time I’ve gotten away with this shit. It’ll be the last though. I don’t need this in my life. Toni turns back to look at us and gives me a nod when Cherry leans against me, wrapping her arm around my waist.
Toni doesn’t need it either. This was the last heist for us. It’s a good way to end this career.
I look down at Cherry as we stop on the corner, finally seeing the parade just two blocks down. A Christmas elf from the bank is leading the way.
“You think it’s going to be alright?” she asks me.
“It’s gonna be perfect.” I kiss her hair and she seems to relax a bit. “I promise you,” I whisper.
The crowd from the parade appears, and the three of us keep on walking. Soon we’ll be blending in with them. Just another block to go.
Cherry stops walking as Toni jogs across the road. I turn to look at her, wondering what she’s doing.
I look down at my sweet cherry and she points up.
Right above us on a street light is a bit of mistletoe. I let out a huff of a laugh and look back down at her. She’s got a sweet smile on her lips.
“I’ll give you that kiss if you stay with me tonight,” she says softly.
“You already owe me a kiss,” I tell her, cupping her chin in my hand.
“I owe you more than that,” she says, batting her lashes. I lean down and take her lips with my own. The sounds of the parade are getting closer, but I don’t stop kissing her until we’re surrounded and the music and cheers envelop us.
She looks up at me with those sweet eyes when I pull away and I know she’s feeling vulnerable and scared, but I’m gonna make everything alright. For her, I’ll make it all up to her.
“Merry Christmas, my sweet cherry.”