Cranberry Lane

by Laurèn Lee

  I had no idea how’d we get out of here. What if Jerry wanted to change his outfit and opened the closet? Would he shoot us? Would Wayne shoot him? I assumed he had a piece on him. And then, it seemed as though our luck had changed; Jerry planned to leave the house.

  “Yeah, okay, man. I’ll be there in a half hour. Yes, I’m leaving now. Peace.” He took one last look at his reflection and left his room. He hadn’t even noticed his heaps of cash on his bed had disappeared.

  What a narcissistic prick!

  Once I’d heard Jerry take the last step on the stairs to the first floor, I heaved a huge sigh of relief. Wayne did the same, but continued to hold onto me tightly.

  “We can’t leave this closet until he’s absolutely gone,” he reminded me.

  It was a good thing I wasn’t too claustrophobic, otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it this long stuck in the closet.

  As promised, we heard the rev of an engine and the screech of a car pulling out of the driveway far too fast than appropriate in an uppity neighborhood.

  “Fuck!” I blasted through the closet door and bent over, putting my hands on my knees, and tried to catch my breath.

  “That was close,” Wayne agreed, also shimmering with sweat.

  “Can we please leave, now?”

  “Don’t have to ask me twice,” Wayne said as we rushed down the stairs, out the back door and to our car. All the while trying to look as natural as possible.

  39

  Wayne

  “Happy now?”

  “I will be once my heart slows the fuck down,” Serenity panted in the passenger seat. She held onto her bulging bag as though it were a life preserver. I saw her peek inside and her eyes popped.

  “What is it?”

  “I think there’s a lot more than five grand in here.” She grinned.

  I craned my neck to catch a glance inside the back, too. Sure enough, there were way more bundles of hundred-dollar bills than there should have been. Not only had we gotten Serenity’s cash back, but we snagged interest, too.

  “Did you really mean what you said?” I asked as I changed the subject.

  She remained quiet for a minute until she finally spoke up. “About leaving town?

  “Yeah,” I asked as I pulled onto the interstate, my heart still pounded.

  “I did, Wayne. I promise. Let’s pack as soon as we can and get the hell out of here.

  “Yeah?”

  “Hell yes. I will miss Ma, but I know this is the right thing to do. I need to take care of myself. I can’t take care of someone who isn’t willing to take care of me, too, ya know?”

  “I know all too well,” I reassured her. “Leaving my parents’ house was one of the hardest decisions I ever made.”

  “Do you ever regret it?”

  “Not a single day has gone by that I haven’t been relieved I was able to get out of there.”

  Her eyes appeared bloodshot and tears replaced the sweat droplets falling down her cheeks, but a smile appeared, too.

  “This is going to be good for us, Wayne.”

  “I think it’s a great idea, too,” I admonished.

  “You really think so?”

  “You have to do what’s best for you, kid. And I gotta do what’s best for Sammy” I said.

  “Would that make me a shitty daughter if I left her?”

  “No way,” I urged.

  She stared off into the distance and I imagined how for the first time in her life, Serenity’s hopes and dreams may be coming true.

  “If you’re going into law or law enforcement, you may have to ditch the pink hair, though.”

  She smiled. “It’s okay. I could use a change, anyway. Think you’ll give up your guns and ski masks for a quieter life?”

  “I could certainly use a vacation,” I smirked.

  I dropped Serenity off at home so she could pack and decided to go pick Sammy up from school. Usually, he took the bus, but I thought I’d surprise him. I knew he didn’t have practice today, so he’d be able to leave school on time. I’d be able to tell him the plan with no distractions. I hated having to uproot his life for a second time, but getting out and away from Cranberry Lane and this town would only make his life better.

  “Hey!” I called out just as Sammy boarded his bus. “Need a ride?”

  His eyes lit up and he jogged over to the car. “What are you doing here?”

  “Just figured I’d pick up my little bro for a change.”

  He hopped in and tossed his backpack into the back seat. “It smells like Serenity in here.”

  “Oh yeah, we uh, ran an errand today,” I stumbled.

  “Wayne?”

  “Yeah, Sammy?” I asked as I pulled out of the bus circle trying to avoid all the teenagers nearly running amok across campus.

  “Are you and Serenity, like, together?”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Just seems like you guys hang out a lot.”

  “She’s way too young for me,” I said, smiling.

  “That doesn’t mean anything,” he replied.

  Treading lightly, I confessed, “She does have something about her, huh?”

  “Yeah, she does. If you, ya know, like her, though, I say go for it.”

  I looked over at him suspiciously.

  “I kind of have a crush on her if you didn’t already know.” He blushed. “But, she’s a little too crazy for me, I think.”

  A jovial laugh erupted from deep in my belly. If only I had such wisdom when I was Sammy’s age. “I appreciate it, bud.”

  He nodded and stared out of the window, ignoring my obvious lie, until we parked and went inside our home. I promised myself I’d tell him about the move over dinner and we’d get the hell out of dodge as soon as possible.

  40

  Serenity

  Wayne dropped me off at home and my heart ached as he drove away. We’d spent so much time together the past few weeks, I’d felt as though I was a part of the family. Being with Wayne and Sammy had proven to be a much-needed break from being home with Ma. I couldn’t hide forever, though and I needed to face her sooner or later. I needed to pack up what few belongings I cared about and tell Ma I was leaving.

  I trudged upstairs and noticed the door stood slightly ajar and heated voices snapped back and forth from inside.

  Before going in, I hid outside in the hallway to try to listen. Something was obviously going on.

  “How did she know where I lived?” a man’s voice hissed.

  “I don’t know!” Ma cried. “I don’t even know where you live.”

  “I needed that money, Joanne. I told you I needed it real bad.”

  “I’ll talk to her. I promise I’ll get the money back.”

  Fucking Jerry.

  I pushed open our front door and strode inside with my purse tightly against my chest. I found Ma and Jerry in the living room; Ma sat on our musty orange plaid couch while Jerry paced back and forth.

  “Who’re you?” I accused as though I didn’t already know who this asshole was.

  Ma stood. Stress and anxiety were painted all over her face. “Serenity, this is Jerry, my friend.”

  Jerry cringed slightly at the word “friend” which gave me even more desire to kick him in the family jewels.

  “Oh, it’s you,” I responded nonchalantly. I started walking to my room when he stepped in front of me and cut me off from going any further.

  “I believe you have something of mine.” He sneered.

  The urge to spit in his face boiled within me. “Excuse me?”

  “I know you were in my house today,” he said with narrowed black eyes.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t play dumb, bitch.”

  “Get the fuck out of my house,” I threatened as I took a step closer to him.

  “Not until I have my money back.”

  “Ma, are you fucking kidding me right now?” I looked over to my helpless mother.

 
“Serenity, you can’t just go into people’s houses and steal their belongings!”

  I howled and Jerry took a step back. “Are you kidding me? Seriously, are you both fucking kidding me? The guy who tricks you into giving him thousands of dollars is now preaching about morality?” I turned to look at the greasy man before me. “Go to hell. I was never even at your house.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Did I stutter?”

  “Then who else could have left this?” He held out a long strand of pink hair and my stomach dropped.

  “Real clever, ass hat. You probably took that out of my brush or something.”

  “I went home this afternoon and the money from my bed had vanished and been replaced with a bright pink piece of hair. Coincidence? I think not.”

  I’d been caught red-handed, there really was no use to keep lying.

  “I took back what was already mine,” I seethed.

  “Yeah, well, I’m going to need that back now,” he said as he stepped closer to me again.

  “Over my dead body!”

  “That can be arranged.” He smiled.

  “Both of you, please stop!” Ma finally stood from the couch to address the situation unfolding before her. “Serenity, just give him the money. He said he’d pay us back!”

  “You’re useless, you know that?” I shot back to her. “You’re so concerned with appeasing this jerk-off that you’re willing to fuck over your own daughter, your own flesh and blood!”

  “Please, Serenity. I’m begging you!”

  I turned back to look at Jerry and when I did, not only did I see his piercing eyes glaring back to me, but a gun stared me down, too.

  41

  Wayne

  I hadn’t heard from Serenity for the rest of the day which worried me. Usually, I couldn’t get her to leave me alone and now she’d gone ghost. Maybe she had changed her mind after all about leaving town?

  “Hey, Sammy?” I asked as he stared intently at the screen while playing World of Warcraft.

  “Huh?”

  “Have you heard from Serenity today. You know, since I picked you up from school?”

  “No. Why?”

  “No reason,” I trailed off.

  A tingle ran down my spine and I felt as though something might be going on. My gut told me something wasn’t right. I took out my phone and called her number. Serenity’s face appeared on my phone’s screen. She’d stolen my phone one day and took a few selfies. I chose the one of her sticking her tongue out as her contact ID.

  Her phone rang twice and went straight to voicemail.

  I called two more times and met the same recording each time.

  “Where are you?” I texted.

  No reply.

  “Sammy, you cool if I run out for a little bit?”

  He grunted.

  “Don’t let anyone inside, okay?”

  “Yeah,” he replied. “Are we leaving town tonight? I want to make sure I tell my friends before I go.”

  God bless that kid. I’d told him about our move and he didn’t even flinch. Once I’d said it would be better and safer for us all, he was on board. He said there’d always be another town, another school, another football team, and new friends, but there’d never be another me or Serenity. How did I get so damn lucky as a big brother?

  I grabbed my keys, wallet, and gun. I locked the door behind me, darted to my car and threw myself inside. Whenever I’d been on a job, I always trusted my gut above all else. If I had information saying the target would be alone, but felt differently, I trusted my gut. Almost every single time my instincts were spot-on. I had to trust them this time, too.

  I ignored the speed limits and made it to Cranberry Lane in six minutes flat. The lights to her apartment were turned off, but that didn’t mean a damn thing. I held my breath and ran up the stairs to their apartment, which I’d known was theirs because I happened to run past their mail slot with a large bronze “#5” above their name.

  The door stood ajar and I grasped my gun tightly in my hands. I listened intently to try to identify any intruders or signs of Serenity and her mother inside. I gently nudged the door open so I could squeeze inside without taking my eyes off the dark room. If only I’d brought my military-grade night vision goggles with me.

  “Hello?” I called out. “Serenity?”

  No reply.

  “Anyone here?”

  Again, no reply. But, I knew something was awry. My heart raced steadily with each passing second. I had to adjust the grip on my piece because my hands glistened with sweat. I’d been in a hundred dark apartments before, but this felt different. For once, I was scared for my life. I feared for Serenity’s life.

  Did Jerry find out about our visit to his house? Did he come back for revenge?

  The kitchen appeared vacant and the table only hosted a few dirty plates illuminated in the moonlight, which cut right through the window by the sink.

  I moved to the dining room, which looked much darker than the kitchen as it had no windows to brighten up the scene. Also, no signs of life or Serenity.

  And then, a noise startled me; a man cleared his throat in the living room with a subtle, “Ahem.” I poised my gun out in front of me, ready to strike if need be.

  “I’m armed,” I warned. “Who’s there?”

  “I hope you’d be armed. Any man about to enter a dark residence with the idea of danger should be,” a cool voice announced.

  My eyes followed the sound of his voice. His voice… It sounded familiar as though I’d heard it before. Who was he? I saw the silhouette of the man sitting on a chair with his back to me.

  “Who are you? Where is Serenity?” I urged.

  “Come, Wayne. Let’s talk.”

  I sidled against the opposite side of the apartment and edged my way into the living room and tried to get a better view of this man, who sat in the dark waiting for me to arrive. How did he know my name? Did he hurt Serenity?

  “Who are you?” I asked again.

  “What? You don’t recognize my voice?”

  I’d closed in on the man and noticed he sat with his head down. All I could see was his brilliantly white hair nearly glowing above him in the dark room. I stared at him and waited for him to look up and reveal himself.

  “What a pleasure it is to be in the company of my most loyal employee,” he said as he picked up his head.

  “Boss?”

  42

  Serenity

  I’d opened my eyes only to find the same darkness as though they had still been closed. I felt like a rag doll being tossed around by a careless child. Where was I? The thump and rattle of my cage confused me, and my mind still couldn’t focus on my surroundings. I urged myself to wake up, to pay attention, to fight.

  I heard the distinct screech of car brakes and an obnoxious horn sounded in return. I was in the back of a car. But not just the back, I was in a trunk.

  Consciousness slowly returned to me and panic washed over me. I didn’t remember anything after seeing Jerry point the gun at me, however, I vaguely recalled feeling someone standing behind me in that same moment.

  Had I been drugged? Assaulted with a chloroform rag? What the fuck was happening to me? Where was I being taken? Where was Ma?

  I felt foolish for thinking I could break into a sleaze ball’s house and steal my money back. Why didn’t I take the time to think it through? I’d let my emotions get the best of me and now I’d face the music. But, what would happen to me now? Would Jerry really kill me for taking the money? Would he torture me? Would he do something else? I cringed at the thought of Jerry putting his hands on me.

  I reached for my phone which should have been in my back pocket, but it was gone. Of course, they wouldn’t let their hostage keep a cell phone. I wished more than anything I could call Wayne and he could come to my rescue like always.

  What if I never saw him again? What if I never got the chance to tell him how I felt about him? What if I never saw Sammy again? In such a short ti
me, these men had come into my life and set up a permanent residence in my heart. It would be cruel to lose them now. For the first time, I felt truly a part of a family and now I’d never feel that way again.

  The driver of the car didn’t seem to care he had a human hostage in the trunk as we hit bump after bump. If I didn’t have a concussion yet, I was sure I’d get one shortly. Without notice, the driver hit the steepest of bumps yet which hurled my body to the roof of the trunk. Everything went black again.

  43

  Wayne

  “What are you doing here?” I asked the man who had employed me for the past several years. I lowered my gun a touch, but kept it pointed loosely at the man before me.

  “It seems as though someone had broken into my house this morning,” he began.

  My stomach dropped. How did he know? We were so incredibly careful. I remained silent, waiting to see what his next move would be.

  “And, they stole something that belonged to my nephew.” My boss looked into my eyes and put his hands together as though he wanted to pray. “Do you know anything about that?”

  I cleared my throat. “No, sir.”

  He chuckled quietly, “See, that’s funny because one of my darling neighbors asked me how I liked my new neighbor across the street. At first, I admit, I was extremely confused because I had not yet met our new residents. Then, the woman, a widow, said she’d met the new couple just this morning. She said the girl seemed young, and had wild fuchsia hair. I knew then, I had not met this neighbor. Surely, I would have remembered meeting a girl with pink hair!”

  Serenity and that damn hair.

  “And then, my friend mentioned the girl had been accompanied by an older man with grayish hair, muscles, and a nice top hot. Again, I knew something suspicious was at play because I couldn’t recall meeting this man previously either. I played along though, and told Sally our new neighbors were wonderful and I couldn’t be happier they’d be joining our neighborhood.”