Cranberry Lane

by Laurèn Lee

  And then, my phone rang obnoxiously and Serenity groaned angrily into my chest.

  “It might be work, or Sammy,” I said somberly.

  I gently pushed her off me and looked at the caller ID.

  “Who is it?” she asked.

  “Telemarketer,” I grimaced.

  “Well, we should probably get up anyway.” She pouted.

  “Yeah. You ready to go to that Jerry’s place?”

  “Oh.” Recognition resurfaced in her gaze. “Yeah, we should probably go do that, huh?”

  “I gotta change and then we can head over there. You still have the address?”

  She pulled her phone out of her pocket and shook it.

  I knew she’d stay in the room while I changed so, I whipped the sheet off me, and stepped gingerly out of bed. I rummaged through my dresser as the pregnant silence between us grew even wider.

  “Another wild outfit, I see?”

  I’d pulled on another white-tee and dark blue jeans. Apparently, I had a predictable sense of style.

  “I need coffee,” I said as I wiped the morning crust out of my eyes.

  “Let’s get it on the way,” she said as she cracked her knuckles.

  “What? Are you nervous?”

  “Me? Nervous?” Her knuckle cracking ceased immediately. “No, I just want to get this over with and get my money back.”

  “All right. Whatever you say.”

  I started the car and Serenity joined me in the passenger seat. I kicked a McDonald’s wrapper from the floor to the curb before I shut my door.

  “Ever hear of a garbage?”

  Serenity simply shrugged and turned on the radio.

  I had her punch in the address into her Maps app to direct us to our destination. I didn’t want to put the address into my phone. As per usual, I turned my phone off, too.

  Siri assured us we’d reach our destination in fifteen minutes; I’d get us there in ten.

  We pulled in the neighborhood of which Siri had guided us to. The street reeked of wealth and for some strange reason, it seemed vaguely familiar. Seeing as it was now about nine in the morning, several landscaping crews were already outside working on the lawns, while several older women who sported terrycloth tracksuits race-walked along the curb.

  “Are you sure you put in the right address?” I asked curiously. “This doesn’t seem like the type of neighborhood where a thief would live.”

  “This is the place,” Serenity said as she checked her phone again.

  “You have arrived at your destination,” Siri said.

  I pulled to the side of the road and parked outside the house where Jerry lived. Again, a feeling crept throughout my body like I’d been here before, a long time ago.

  “I think I know this place,” I said in a daze.

  “You know Jerry?” Serenity asked accusingly.

  “No, I don’t. But, I feel like I’ve been here before.”

  She continued to stare at me while I focused my attention on the house. I knew I’d been here before, but when? It wasn’t for a job; I remember every job I go to. And then, it hit me like a sack of bricks to the belly. I had been here before for work, but not for a job. My boss, the boss lived here which meant we were about to make a huge mistake.

  36

  Serenity

  “What is going on?” I asked anxiously.

  “We can’t go in there,” Wayne said as though he’d seen a ghost in the window.

  “What are you talking about? We came all the way here.We have to go in!”

  “I mean it, Serenity. I can’t go inside that house.” His face appeared translucent.

  Anger boiled up within me and I unknowingly clenched my fists. “Why?”

  “My boss lives here,” he whispered.

  “Your boss?”

  “Yes, you know, the guy who tells me who to kill and when.”

  “Is Jerry your boss?” I questioned aghast.

  “No, definitely not. But, this is my boss’s house, I’m sure of it. I came here years ago when I’d just begun working for him. I remember the blue shutters. He promised to kill me if I ever betrayed him. I can’t believe it took me so long to figure out!”

  “Well, now what? We can’t just leave! Whoever this Jerry guy is, he has my money and I need it back. Please, Wayne. You promised!”

  “Be quiet for a minute while I think,” he yipped.

  A knot stretched within my chest and it felt as though an elephant had plopped down upon my chest. That money was everything to me. I needed it more than I needed air. I needed it to finally escape Cranberry Lane.

  Tired of sitting and waiting, I pulled the door handle to get out. Wayne grabbed my elbow tightly.

  “Let me go! I’m going in!”

  “You can’t just waltz into a mob boss’s house and demand money. Are you nuts? He’ll shoot you on the spot!”

  “How do you know he’s even home? I don’t see a car in the driveway,” I said.

  Wayne looked outside the car and scanned the neighborhood. I’d never seen him so scared. And then, a wave of recognition washed over him a second time this morning.

  “What is it?”

  “I remember. My boss has a nephew. I only met him once or twice. His name is Jerry.”

  “What the fuck? This is insane. I just need my money!” Tears welled up in my eyes. “Please, Wayne. I worked so fucking hard to earn that cash. I need to get off the lane. Please!” I hated begging for anything, but it was an emergency.

  “I could lose my job over this,” he said as he looked off into the distance. “He could kill me for breaking into his house.”

  “I already said I would go alone. You just drive away. I’ll figure it out. I’ll figure everything out like I always do,” I responded desperately.

  Wayne looked to me and I saw sincere indecision in his face. I could see he wanted to help me, but felt conflicted. What a small fucking world that the guy who stole my future also ended up being related to the man who could steal Wayne’s, too.

  I could see the anxiety swirling in his head and suddenly I felt remarkably guilty. Why was I putting Wayne in this position? Why was I putting him and myself in danger?

  “What if I gave you the five grand?”

  “No, Wayne. I won’t let you do that.”

  “We can’t go in there Serenity. We just can’t. My boss is serious as a heart attack. He will kill you. He will kill me. He will kill everyone we know if he finds out we broke into his house. Hell, he’d kill his own mother if she beat him at a game of Scrabble.”

  “Please, Wayne. I’m begging you.”

  I knew I was making him choose. I knew I was giving him an ultimatum, but I needed his help. I couldn’t do it alone.

  I threw my arms around his neck and nuzzled in closely. “Let’s get this money and leave this God forsaken place. We could leave tonight. Pack our bags and never come back. This money will help us escape. Your boss will never even find us. Please, Wayne. Let’s make sure Sammy will never need to be protected because we will live some place so safe, we won’t even have to lock our doors at night.”

  Wayne eyed me hopefully. “You mean it?”

  “Yes. I mean it,” I reassured him.

  “Okay, let’s do it,” he said.

  “You mean it? You’ll really help me?”

  “I know I’m going to regret it, but let’s do it. For us, for Sammy.”

  37

  Wayne

  Even though it was broad daylight, I knew if we left now to come back after dark, we’d never follow through. It’s now or never. I gazed around the neighborhood, trying to find an “in,” or a reason to approach the house without looking too suspicious. I’m sure someone had to have spotted us by now, anyway. We’d been parked outside the house for a good twenty minutes, by this point.

  And, then I saw it; across the street stood a bright fire-engine red sign which read “SOLD!” in even more flamboyant yellow letters.

  “That’s it,” I said.
<
br />   “Huh?” Serenity asked.

  “We just bought that house over there.” I pointed to the sign. “And, we’re about to visit one of our new neighbors.”

  “Hmmm. Well, what if someone around here already knows who bought that house and it’s clearly not a chick with pink hair or a scruffy older dude?”

  I cringed at the “o” word. “It’s just a chance we have to be willing to take.”

  She sighed. “Okay, I think I can manage a white lie or, two.”

  I opened my car door and put my game face on; I could do this. I needed to hide my pure terror as best I could so not to look suspicious. Even though, I felt like I could shit my pants at any moment. What kind of person thinks they could break and enter into a mob boss’s house with no repercussions?

  “See that group of old ladies hobblin’ our way?”

  “Yeah, I see them.” Serenity snickered.

  “We have to greet them and talk to them,” I urged.

  “Fine,” she said as she grabbed my hand.

  My first instinct was to pull away, but I quickly realized, Serenity had gotten into character.

  “Good morning, y’all!” she purred to the ladies.

  They looked accusingly toward Serenity, but seemed to think she was harmless after a few moments.

  “Hello, dear,” one woman said.

  “We’re looking for the Dean residence, ma’am. Think you could point us in the right direction?”

  Another woman chirped up, “Why you looking for them?”

  Before Serenity could respond, I perked up, “We’re new to the neighborhood. We bought that house just there.” I pointed to the house across the street. “The Deans said to stop over so they could give us a tour of the neighborhood.”

  The women delighted in the news of fresh blood, or rather, neighbors. “How delightful!”

  “They live just there,” the first woman said as she adjusted her diamond-studded visor.

  “Thank you very much!” I cooed to the group, adding a wink for extra measure.

  “Welcome to the neighborhood,” another said before they walked again.

  “That seemed far too easy,” Serenity said once the women were out of earshot.

  “Well, just stay in character. I’m sure those busybodies will circle back in no time to see what we’re up to.”

  We strode up the driveway with purpose as though we were about to greet our new neighbors, even though we had a slightly different purpose for being there.

  “I really don’t get it,” Serenity said just before we reached the front door.

  “What’s that?”

  “If Jerry lives here, why steal my money?”

  “They’re criminals, Serenity. He might need it for some illegal purchase, or, most likely, it’s a game to him.”

  She nodded sorrowfully. “Well, now what? We can’t just ring the doorbell and ask for my money.”

  “Shhhh! I’m checking to see if anyone is home.”

  Serenity stood patiently with me by the front door as I tried to peer inside. She’d crossed her arms, but kept a smile on her face nonetheless.

  “I don’t see anyone inside and I don’t hear anyone. Let’s try the back.”

  “Wayne, don’t you think they have security cameras?”

  “Nah. I didn’t see any as we were pulling up.”

  “What if they’re tiny?” She bit her lip.

  “Sweetheart, I do this for a living. I can spot a camera a mile away. We’re good.”

  “Well, why don’t they?”

  I rubbed my stubble with my hand. “I don’t know, to be honest. Maybe they don’t think anyone has the balls to try to break in.”

  “Except us,” she said.

  “Yeah, except us.” The pit in my stomach grew.

  We walked further down the driveway to the back of the three-story house and noticed the backyard had a gorgeous stone patio fully equipped with a pool, a hot tub, and an expensive marble fire pit.

  “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” Serenity noticed with her mouth agape.

  “Whoever said money doesn’t buy happiness wasn’t spending it right,” I agreed.

  I glanced around nonchalantly one more time to see if any other nosey neighbors had taken interest in our visit. No one came into view, so I thought we were in the clear. For now.

  “Serenity, look in the garage window to see if there are any cars inside.”

  She nodded and took off to check it out.

  Again, I peered through the glass in the door and tried to strain my ears to pick up any movement coming from inside. I didn’t hear a peep.

  Serenity trotted back toward me and shook her head. “No cars.”

  I felt for my kit in my back pocket and pulled it out carefully.

  “What’s that?” Serenity asked.

  “It’s how I pick a lock,” I responded.

  “Wait! What if they have an alarm?” She panicked.

  “It’s okay. I know how to disable those, too.”

  “Jesus, you really are a mastermind.”

  “Guilty as charged. Now let me concentrate for a minute. Keep a lookout for me.”

  I wiggled the pin in and out of the lock waiting to hit its sweet spot. In under thirty seconds, I heard the beautiful “click” sound and knew we were nearly inside.

  “There’s no going back now, girl. You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  We stepped inside and held our breaths waiting for an alarm system to ring out. Instead, beautiful silence greeted us.

  “Holy shit. We’re actually inside!”

  “We can’t take too long, though. I have no idea when someone will be home. Oh, and don’t touch anything!” I quickly remembered something else I’d brought with me: two sets of gloves. “Here, put these on.”

  Serenity silently obliged and slid the plastic gloves on with ease. I did the same.

  “Where do you think Jerry put the cash?”

  “Well, I doubt he hid it anywhere crazy. I can’t imagine he ever thought someone would break in, let alone come for the money. Let’s try upstairs in the bedroom.”

  We crept swiftly across the first floor of the house. Now, I knew I’d been here before. The crystal chandelier practically illuminated the entire floor as the sun reflected perfectly against it. Black leather couches and chairs lined the living room and sat in perfect position in front of an eighty-inch plasma TV.

  “So, this is what it’s like to be rich?”

  “I guess so.”

  “Well, don’t you get a lot of money from your work?”

  “I put almost all of my earnings into a savings account for Sammy.” I shrugged.

  “Damn, I wish I had someone like you when I was growing up,” she said with sadness ripping through her gaze.

  “Let’s go upstairs. Don’t touch anything,” I reminded her.

  We jogged up the hardwood floor steps to the next landing which seemed to be the floor with all the bedrooms. I estimated there were about five.

  Serenity stepped into the first bedroom and screeched with happiness.

  “It’s here! The money is right on this fucker’s bed!”

  “Grab it and let’s go!” I hissed. “Can you fit it all in your purse?”

  “I think so,” she mumbled.

  Just then, the unmistakable sound of a garage door opening sent chills down my spine. Someone was home.

  38

  Serenity

  I rushed out of Jerry’s bedroom and saw Wayne standing there, looking completely ghost-white.

  “Holy fuck! What are we going to do?” I cried.

  I felt sick. Vomit ruminated in my throat ready to expel itself at any given moment.

  Wayne glanced outside the hallway window and quickly ducked out of view. “It’s not my boss, but I think it’s your pal, Jerry.”

  “We’ve gotta get outta here!”

  The back door opened and a man on the phone echoed throughout the house. “Listen, bro. That’s just
not going to happen. Yeah, I do have some extra cash, but I’m not blowing it on that shit.”

  Wayne grabbed my wrist and we dashed into Jerry’s room and nearly threw ourselves into his closet as quietly as possible. I sat on his lap with the money in my own lap. He held onto me and I closed my eyes tightly as I heard Jerry come up the stairs and into his bedroom.

  Oh my, God! The money! He will surely notice it’s gone!

  I feared Jerry would find us out simply from hearing my heart pounding like a drill bit in the street.

  “Dude, I really don’t need any more guns. My uncle handles that shit, anyway,” he said as he burst out laughing. “Oh yeah, I totally robbed that bitch of her money. Sent her some flowers and flirted a little. Yeah, she’s old, but who cares! All I had to do was compliment her a few times, tell her a sad story about how I needed the money to pay for my family and she forked it over like no big deal. How did I find her? You’ll never guess. I heard some crazy old bat at the market talking about this Regina and how her daughter makes bank from pushing coke. I knew it’d be worth a try to run a scam on her.”

  I clenched my fists so tightly I was sure my nails had pierced my skin. Wayne rubbed my forearms trying to soothe me, but all I wanted in that moment was to bust through the closet and kick this motherfucker as hard as I could so he’d never be able to reproduce.

  “Yeah, I’ll be getting that money soon. I don’t want to rush it, or have him suspect anything. Once I get it, though, we’ll be long gone before anyone notices. Right on, brother! Yeah, we will become our own bosses. Have our own crew and everything!”

  Through the cracks in the slatted closet door, I could see Jerry checking himself out in his wooden dresser mirror. He ran his hands through his slicked back, oily hair and winked to himself. Now, I was really going to throw up.

  What else do you have planned?

  The closet grew warm with every passing minute. Between Wayne and I, our body heat and heavy breathing created a sauna-like atmosphere. Sweat droplets pooled around my temple and I felt a few drops escape my head and land onto my chest and then my lap.