“You know the difference it makes—“
No
“You don’t remember me but I—“
I don’t think so.
“See the look on my face-“
No
“Picture yourself in a boat on the river . . .”
I guess I could deal with oldies music for the rest of the ride.
The road ahead of me was nearly deserted—no people around, all the buildings I was passing seemed to have been deserted ages ago. I wasn’t sure where I was going but, I had been told this was the best pawn dealership around.
It’s not that I’m cheap or even broke for that matter but, when it came to getting a gift for a girl like Allison Kyto, I didn’t see a reason to spend a lot of money. I just wanted her to think that I did-- to be nice, after all her dad had just died.
I sighed, taking another sip of the
bland pomegranate tea. I started searching the car for a sugar packet when I turned a corner and saw a sign advertising McCoy’s Pawn. It boasted selling rare items, antiques as
well as nice gifts at bargain prices.It was going to be perfect. My hand grapsed a sugar packet and I added to the tea.
As the song ended I switched stations to some classical and then remembered the card I was supposed to put with the gift. I pulled it out and started thinking of something to write. Something that was sincere, kind and intelligent. I decided to start be being friendly.
Dear Alli,
I’m so sorry for your loss
I heard the first few chord of a familiar tune from my front pocket and when I saw Marc’s face, I immediately picked up.
“Hey, Marc” I greeted him adding another sugar to the tea.
“Are you bailing on us ?” he asked, “We’ve been waiting for you.,”
“You know I had to go to the Kyto funeral today,” I told him, “And then my mom said I should get Allison a gift or something . I don’t know if I can make it or not. I mean they said I could go and Allison would be alright but I don’t believe that. I think I have to be there for her.”
That was good.
If you ever aren’t feeling alright I can be there for you.
“Do what you gotta do,” Marc responded, "We’re going but, tell me if your coming,”
“Of course,” I told him,”Have a good spring break,”
“Yeah,”
“Peace”
My deepest condolences,
Alan Gray
I added another sugar to the tea as I pulled into the parking lot for McCoy’s. There was a sign at the door advertising “We’re the Real McCoy !”
There are freshman who could have done better.
Despite the horrible advertising the store front actually seemed nice enough, there were even few decent looking vehicles outside for sale. As I made my way to the door I notice a man staring me down from behind the counter through the clear door. He was tall and incredibly ripped with deep set dark eyes that were staring holes into me.
I had heard there where drug dealers and stuff a few miles from here but, I hadn’t thought about it until I was already at the door. He had seen me already and I didn’t want to look suspicious so I just walked in and turning away from his glare pretend to be interested in the antique paper bills in sleeves to the left of me.
I shouldn’t have come here.
“Can I help you ?” I heard a female voice ask.
I looked over see a girl standing beside the man. She looked like she was around my age, maybe a few years older than me. Judging by the age difference she could have been the man’s daughter. The man’s expression immediately changed around her.
She had light red hair and dark eyes her lips formed a perfect line. She wasn’t what I would call beautiful --not like most girls I knew but, she seemed kind enough.
“I’m looking for a ring for my friend, something like this but, I can’t spend to much,” I said letting her see the picture I had seen Allison look at. She looked at it and looked to the man as if for an answer.
“ I can look in the back,” he grunted
I really hoped that wasn’t code for anything.
“I don’t think it’s proper to leave me alone with a man I barely know,” the girl said. I couldn't tell if she was joking.” Besides the cheaper stuff is out here. He looks to nice to hassle”
He gave her a smile and then beckoned me over to a display case of rings. She followed obediently behind him.
“She could put it on a chain,” the girl suggested as the man took the case out from behind the glass.
There was one for less than 50$ and I picked it up and examined it.
“So . . . is that car stolen ?” she asked pointing to my car outside.
I shook my head letting out some polite laughter. It was a top of the line car but, I pretended not to notice that. I really hoped her dad wasn’t a car jacker or something.
“It’s just with a car like that you
should be in a boutique nicer than this,” she pointed out.
I smiled it off.
“We all have to save in these times, right ?” I replied
“What kind of engine is that ?” she asked
“458U,” I responded
“Is that big ?” she asked , “I admit I don’t know much about cars but yours is so pretty. I saw one like it in a magazine. All the celebrities have them,”
I nodded my head along and then I realized she was flirting with me. Or at least I thought she was. That never happened to me. I had no idea how to flirt, the girls I knew were either really timid or really upfront.
I finally picked a ring that was good enough.
“I’ll ring him up,” the man said
The girl stood by as I paid. The man slipped the ring in a bag and gave me a look I couldn’t read literally but, I was sure meant stay away from my daughter.
I headed out the door
“Sir,” I heard him say, I turned to see him looking at me again, the girl staring up at him affectionately
“Yes ?”
“Come back if something is wrong.r,”
I nodded and hoped this ring didn’t turn Allison’s finger green. I got in my car and made it down the road when I decided to put the ring in a bag that matched the card I was giving her when a piece of paper slipped out of the bag. It was in bad cursive, and I had to practically decipher it.
Held hostage
The girl has a weapon
Get help when you are away from here.
She’ll kill us both if I say anything
Was this some kind of joke ?
Crack !
“SHIT!,” I cursed getting out of the car. I could already smell the engine leaking, I had one foot on the ground when I saw a spark and the engine caught fire. I immediately turned to run in the opposite direction only to meet face to face with the barrel of the red headed girls gun.
That was the last thing I remember before it went dark.
