Thank God I have Chloe to always snap be back to reality.
Mitch
When I pull up to my house, I find Doug sitting in his usual spot on his porch. Thankfully, he seems sober, probably because his wife Dedra is away for a few days. I don’t know why he stays with her. I swear it’s a misery-loves-company thing with them. “Hey, I’ve got a lot to go over with you. I did a quick search around her house and I didn’t see anything. It’s kind of creepy, almost like time stood still. I also noticed a home surveillance system, so I needed to be careful. Anyway, I need a home inspector for tomorrow. Tell me you can pull this off, please.”
“You’re lucky I’ve got a partnership in a home inspection company. I can get it done. Now, tell me what happened today.”
“She has a pit bull that is scary as shit. She did nothing in the home, no updates at all. Oh, and remember Chloe Jones? Well, she’s Amelia’s best friend.”
“That’s not good news; Chloe is a bitch. She could fill her head with reasons not to sell. Do you think she’s set on selling the house?”
“No, she doesn’t have any idea where she would even go. On the plus side, she has a small business that she runs out of her home. I’m not sure if it’s legal, chances are it’s not since she was renting out the basement to help pay the mortgage, and that’s not a legal two-family. She made sure to mention that to me, no doubt to make me feel bad about not being around to help her,” I add. When he’s nervous and deep in thought he strokes his beard. Right now, he’s practically pulling it out.
“So, if she doesn’t want to sell, your big plan is to report her to the IRS for an illegal business? Come on, man, you’ve got to come up with something better.”
“I don’t see you contributing any big solutions.”
“I could make the inspection report come back all clear, you know just a few minor things. That would help her get a better price than the house is worth. You know, sweeten the pot, so to speak.”
“Or you could make it come back a total fucking disaster. Then I sweep in like the white knight and offer to take it off her hands. She can get out without any repercussions, which is better than your idea.”
He gets up and begins pacing on his tiny porch. “What makes yours better?”
“New York law says a seller can be held responsible for repairs after the closing if any of the facts about the house were withheld.”
“I know that, but she can’t be sued if she didn’t know,” he counters.
“Right, but it is the responsibility of her lawyer at closing to inform her that she can be held responsible. On top of that, the inspection company can be sued. Since ignorance is not a defense, you’d be setting yourself up for a lawsuit.”
He sits back down and pulls a beer out of the cooler. “That’s why I have insurance.”
“Why don’t we wait and see what the report has to say? We can decide what to do after that,” I suggest. He stares at his beer for longer than usual which can only mean the wheels in his head are spinning.
“Okay, but what are you going to do about the surveillance system?”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t notice and let the inspector do his thing.”
“Or you could disable it.”
I head over to the cooler and pull out a cold one, even though it’s early for me. “No, I’m not going to do that. We’ve been lucky that no one ever caught on that we were robbing them when they sold their houses. I’ve just stepped back into her life after twenty years, add her friend Chloe into the mix, and I don’t want to rock the boat.”
“Look, Mitch, I get it, but we haven’t stolen anything in a very long time, years in fact. It just became too risky without Peter. Even with Becky gambling away all your money, we still stayed clean. It’s not like anyone would suspect us. I have a guy that could disable it in a New York minute. Hell, Sid works for Con Edison—I could have him cut the power to the whole neighborhood. That would give you all the time in the world to look around.”
It doesn’t take me less than a minute to realize it’s a bad plan. “Doug, you are involving too many people and that will come back to bite us in the ass. We’ve lived for the past twenty-plus years without the jewels, I think we can wait a little bit longer. Besides, what’s the rush?”
“I’m not getting any younger. Besides that, I think it would be my ticket out of here.”
Bam, there it is. “Do you really think if we found them and were successful at fencing them that you would be able to leave this life behind? Why don’t you wake up and smell the shit you’re trying to shovel? The odds, my friend, are not in our favor. Besides, Amelia has been fucked over big time, so let’s try and do this without fucking her again.”
“There’s the operative word: Fuck. You want to fuck her, hell you wanted to fuck her when Peter first brought her around. So, answer this one, Mitch, why have you waited all these years? Was it because you were a married man, remaining faithful to a wife who thought nothing about stealing from you?”
“Fuck you; I’m done here. Text me the time for the inspection tomorrow.” I crush my can and toss it in the trash before heading into the house.
Mitch
I hate it when Doug is right. When Peter started bringing Amelia around, it was more like a friendship between them. He knew I had a thing for her but was too shy to do anything about it. Then one day, he announced he was going to ask her to marry him. I felt like it was a sucker punch to the gut. I tried to talk him out of it, but it only made him mad. I think he went after her because he knew how I felt, but at that point, what could I say? I could never be that guy that would break up someone’s happily ever after. By the time I met Becky, Peter announced that Amelia was pregnant, and I knew that the door was permanently closed. Right after that, I asked Becky to marry me. I know I settled. Hell, everyone but Becky knew I settled. However, I loved Becky, just in a different way. She gave me the best gift in the world: my daughter, Brook. I took my vows seriously and had no intention of ever walking away. It was Becky that walked out on me. Now I’m trying to deceive the one person that I really did love. In this game of deception, I’m in too deep to do anything about it now.
Doug: Everything is set for tomorrow at 11 am. I thought about everything and for now, we will do it your way.
Me: Thank you.
I quickly shoot a text over to Amelia letting her know what time I’ll be there. She said when I get there, she’ll give me the key and head to the dog park with Rusty.
Doug wasn’t too happy when he found out about Chloe. Him and Chloe are the same age and went to public school together. Peter and I went to Catholic school. We knew her from around the neighborhood, but we were too young to fit into her crowd of friends. The only reason Doug bothered with us is because we lived in the same apartment building. I wonder what he knows about her that we don’t. Maybe I need to research her past. If nothing else, I can make sure that nothing from her past can get in my way. Geez, now I’m sounding like a paranoid asshole. I shrug it off and call Brook.
“Hey, Daddy, what’s going on? Two calls in one week. Come on, Dad, you can tell me the truth, did you meet someone?” She giggles and it makes me smile.
“No, did you?” I laugh but she gets really quiet. “Oh my gosh, Brook, did you really meet someone?”
“Yes. I didn’t say anything sooner because I didn’t want to jinx it. We’ve been dating for six weeks. He’s a year older than me. His major is meteorology.”
“Does this guy have a name?”
“Benjamin.”
“So, when do I get to meet Ben?” Right now, my insides are twisted and I’m ready to hurl. She’s too young for any of this. Well, in my mind, she’ll always be to young.
“He goes by Benjamin, and I’m not ready for the whole meet-the-dad thing.”
“Does your mom know about him?” Again, silence.
“Here’s the thing, Mom came up here for a surprise visit last weekend, so she met him already.”
“Are you
kidding me?! Brook, how did that happen? I mean, I know it was a surprise visit and all, but you didn’t have to bring her around him without me.” Great, now I sound like a jealous idiot.
“About that . . . it just so happens that was the weekend that Benjamin was moving into my place. And before you get all crazy, Dad, it was my idea. I want to test the water before I make any permanent commitment.”
Test the fucking water, what the hell? I’m conservative and raised my daughter the same way. Testing the water is not in my wheelhouse and I didn’t think it was in hers.
“Dad, are you still there?”
“I’m just surprised, Brook. I didn’t raise you to be a test-the-water kind of girl.”
“Look, Dad, I didn’t want to have this conversation over the phone, but here goes nothing. I don’t want to end up like you and Mom. If I get married, I want to make sure it’s permanent. You and Mom were just functioning through marriage. I never heard you tell Mom you loved her. I never saw Mom light up when you entered the room. I don’t blame either of you, but I don’t want to end up like you. I know this hurts you, which is something I never wanted. I’m sorry, Dad, but I need to find my own way. A way that will work for me, and Benjamin moving in works for me.”
I mute the phone and pace around the room, yelling and cursing. I’m looking for something to punch. I want to blame anyone and everyone. I catch a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror. I stop and fight the urge to punch it. Instead, I curse myself. The one person I never wanted to hurt is the one person I really did.
“Daddy, are you there?”
I unmute the phone. “Yeah, I’m here. Brook, you’re the one person I never wanted to hurt. Everything I did in life I did for you. I’m sorry if I wasn’t a fairytale father. I was doing my best, I still am.”
“I don’t blame you, really I don’t. I don’t know everything between you and Mom. I only know what you both chose for me to see. Honestly, I really don’t want to know. It’s water under your bridge, not mine. What I do know is that I want something more than that. You always told me not to settle and, Daddy, this is me not settling.”
“Well, at least I did something right. Is he good to you? Does he make you laugh? You know, at the end of the day, looks will fade but if you can still laugh then you’ve got something worth holding on to.”
“So far, he does all of that and more. I promise I will introduce you to him soon.”
“Okay, I’ll let you go.”
“Wait, Dad, you never said why you were calling?”
“Nothing important, sweetie, sometimes I just need to hear your voice.”
“Okay, I love you, Dad, and I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Love you, too.”
I hang up and now I’m left second-guessing everything I ever did in the name of my daughter’s happiness and well-being. What kind of father am I that I couldn’t see what I was teaching her? Not by words but by my actions. It’s really true—actions speak louder than words. I never did tell Becky out loud that I loved her. I didn’t hate her. I did love her in my own way. I believe there are so many ways to love a person. I loved her for giving me my daughter. I loved her for making a home for us. I loved her for all the things she tried to do. I just wasn’t in love with her. I was in love with Amelia. It was an unrequited love. I never told her out of respect for my friend. I wonder if I told her today what would happen. No, no, no, I’m not going down that road. I promised myself I would never go down that road. And I always keep my promises. My focus is the jewels and only the jewels.
Brook
“How did he take it?” Benjamin asks me. He knew I was worried about telling my dad. He wanted to tell him and Mom together, but he doesn’t know them, and I wanted no part of that.
“Better than I thought he would. Although, I think I might surprise him, make this weekend a long one and head home.”
“I can’t get off of work this weekend or I would go with you.”
“That’s okay. I think we could use some one on one time. You know, so he doesn’t feel like he’s being pushed out of my life.”
“Okay, then when you get back, we have to work out when you are going to meet my parents.”
I roll my eyes. From everything he’s told me, it should be a piece of cake. It’s my dad who can be a pain the ass. “You’re on.”
Amelia
It’s eleven am and, like clockwork, Mitch pulls up with the inspector right behind him. Rusty is curling his top lip and not in a good way. “Rusty, stop it,” I command as the gentlemen make their way to my door. “I’m sorry, Mitch, I’m sure once he gets to know you, things will be better. How long do I need to stay away?”
“It will probably take four hours or so. I will text you when he’s done.”
“Great. The doors unlocked. I’ll see you later.”
I head down the street practically dragging Rusty with me. He keeps turning his head around and growling. Maybe he knows something I don’t. I quickly wipe that thought from my head as we head to Rusty’s favorite dog park. It’s not near the house but it’s an off-leash park. As long as he’s vaccinated and has his license with him then he’s good to go have fun. I made sure to put on one of his t-shirts to cover his scars. He can be scary looking without it. When we finally get to the park, I unleash him, and he takes off. He is so fast that sometimes it’s hard for me to keep my eyes on him. He usually does this for about ten minutes. After that, he sits by my side and watches for anything that interests him. Usually it’s a bird; squirrels are boring for him. When I look at the time, I see it’s already been an hour. It’s lunch time, but before we hit the hotdog cart, I’ll see if Chloe wants to join us.
“Hey, I’m at the park with Rusty. Do you want to have lunch with us?”
“Hot dog Dan?”
“Of course, you know I have an addiction to hot dogs.”
“I swear I have no idea how you can stay so thin when you eat them practically every day. Wait for me, I’ll be there in ten.” She hangs up. Rusty sees a bird and takes off. I think he believes he can fly. He stops chasing the bird and takes off running full speed. I turn to see where he’s headed, and Chloe comes into view carrying lunch. I don’t know what he loves more, Dan dogs or Chloe.
“I swear his obsession with Dan Dogs came from you.” She sits down and passes Rusty his dog. He doesn’t take it and doesn’t move.
“What the hell, Rusty, eat your damn dog.”
I look at it and begin to laugh. “He has to have ketchup and mustard. No worries I’ll give him mine.” I pass him my dog, and he finishes it in three bites.
“I swear, Amelia, I don’t who’s stranger—you or the damn dog. What happened when Mitch showed up today?”
“Other than Rusty curling his upper lip and letting out a low growl, nothing.”
“So, why the hell did you call me out here on my day off?”
“I’m attracted to him. There, I said it out loud and I can’t take it back. Is that a bad thing?”
“Wait, you’re attracted to Mitch?”
“Yeah, and I thought about it last night. I have to admit that I was first attracted to him when I met him, way back when.” Her mouth is hanging open and I want to stick my hot dog in it.
“Attracted enough to retire The Beav?”
“Yeah, that kind of attracted.”
“Wow, that’s big. But why didn’t you act on it when you first met him?”
“Because of Peter. It was like a whirlwind with him. Before I knew it, we were engaged. Plus, you know it was the whole best friend thing.”
“My beef with him is why the hell is he coming around now? You can roll your eyes all you want, but I’m telling you there is more to this. What do you have that he wants?”
“Maybe because he was married before. Now, he’s not and neither am I. Do you think I should take a shot?” I give Rusty some water and then sit back next to Chloe.
“No matter how much I protest, you’re going to do whatever you want anyway. Maybe
put it out there and see what he does. I wouldn’t be chasing him; no man is worth that.”
I know she is right, but sometimes knowing what is right and doing the right thing is totally different. “I’ve been alone so long that I feel like there is an invisible wall that no one will penetrate.”
“No one will penetrate it because you won’t let them. If you really think there is still something there that you left behind all those years ago, then maybe you need to open the door. Look, when Peter left, it did a number on your self-esteem. Twenty years is a long time and you’ve got to try and get past that. Even if it is with Mitch.”
“Don’t you think I’ve tried?! I know twenty years is a long time, Chloe, I’m the one living it. I think if I just knew what happened to him, I could move forward with my life. I need closure.”
“Maybe if you let Mitch get closer you might find some sort of closure to move on.”
“What about the house, do you think I should sell it?”
“If you do, where will you go?”
I put Rusty’s leash back on and he quickly jumps up. “Come on, Chloe, let’s head toward the house. I don’t know where to move. I have you here and my part-time job at night cleaning offices. I need to move someplace more affordable.”
“I can understand that. I’m living paycheck to paycheck. A lot of people are moving to Florida since there is no state tax.”
“No, not going to happen. Florida is an annex of New York. I was thinking North Carolina. I did some research and I could take the proceeds from the house and buy something for cash. I would also have to buy a car in order to get around. If I keep it simple, I should be able to do this. Providing I get a good price for the house.”
“Okay, when we get back to the house, show me what you came up with. I promise I will keep an open mind.”
As Rusty leads us towards home, I’m trying not to get too excited about moving. If the house needs a lot of repairs, I won’t be able to do it.
The Heist Page 4
