Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

by Brennen Tammons

  “Russell, can I still stay with you? I know you said you didn’t mean what you said earlier, but I still want to make sure it’s okay. Because if you want me to go I will. It’s okay.”

  Russell while keeping his view towards the road, smiles and reaches over to rub Jesse’s hair. Jesse smiles at Russell, and he turns the stereo volume up. Russell then heads immediately to his residence. As he and Jesse are walking inside, Russell walks over to the refrigerator, and ruffles through the items resting on top of it. Russell pulls out a small bag, waving it at Jesse. Jesse walks over to him leaning his head on Russell’s stomach, and Russell wraps his arm around Jesse’s back. Russell while he’s holding the bag, starts to whisper to Jesse.

  “Aww, Kev. I had a feeling he left this here by mistake. Wanted to check and make sure. We’re not going to smoke all of it no, but I do want all of us to smoke some of it in honor of Kev. He would have wanted us to enjoy this, I just know. The rest I want to probably lock away forever, so it’s something I’ll always have from him. Damn, I’m gonna miss that guy.”

  Russell and Jesse embrace each other for a couple minutes, then they separate from each other. Jesse walks into the bedroom, and starts to undress into his sleepwear. Russell takes of his shoes, and sits on the sofa to watch “Law and Order”, on the television. Jesse then walks over to Russell.

  “I’m going to go to bed. I’m really tired, so I’m going to go to sleep now.”

  Russell while still looking at the television quickly snaps back at Jesse.

  “You can do what you want. Shit I’m not even tired, I might not even sleep tonight, or I may rest my eyes here for like an hour or so. I’ll see you tomorrow then. Sleep tight.”

  Jesse with an unsure expression on his face, crosses his arms and walks back into the bedroom closing the door behind him, and crawls into Russell’s bed. A few minutes later, Jesse falls asleep. The following morning, Jesse wakes up at 8 A.M. He gets out of bed, and arranges the outfit he plans to wear at the amusement park, which is a red patterned button up shirt, and some denim shorts, with red Vans sneakers. Jesse heads out the bedroom towards the bathroom to shower, and he notices that Russell is sitting on the sofa, already fully dressed. He’s wearing a black polo shirt, with blue jeans and black Adidas shoes. Jesse walks out the shower and into the bedroom to dress himself, and once he’s finished with that, Russell and Jesse put their sunglasses on and walk out the door. While Russell is backing out of the parking structure, he talks to Jesse.

  “I already spoke with Brian, and he said to meet him and Victor there. So we’re just going to head straight there. I haven’t been to Knott’s Berry Farm in ages though. So random.”

  Jesse nods his head, and Russell gets on the highway; proceeding straight to the amusement park. As they arrive, Russell is aggravated due to there virtually not being any available parking spaces in the parking lot closest to the entrance. It is after all a Saturday. Quite arguably the most populated day to visit. After understanding that the parking lot is full, Russell drives farther away to another parking structure, a mile away from the entrance. Luckily, this particular lot does have available parking spots. Russell parks his car, and he and Jesse start to walk towards the amusement park. “Knott’s Berry Farm”, is California’s oldest amusement park. It was once a Berry Farm operated by Walter Knott. Over the years, it has later been converted into its own special theme park. It is mostly frontier and western themed, and contains not only Roller Coasters, but several Californian gold rush, and pre civil war United States themed exhibits, and also many Native American homage entertainment attractions as well. Russell and Jesse reach the entrance of the theme park, and notice the ridiculously long lines queuing up outside the front gate.

  The park doesn’t open until 10 A.M., another fifteen minutes or so. It is a perfect day today, with the sun shining very bright. The temperature despite being early in the day, is already quite warm and humid. There are light clear blue skies, making this a wonderful day to visit an amusement park. This is extremely immaculate weather. As Russell and Jesse wait outside the gate, Russell starts to text Brian, trying to find out where exactly he is at this time. Brian responds back to Russell, that he and Victor are remarkably standing outside the gate as well. Russell and Jesse then try to see if they can spot where they are, but due to high volume of people waiting outside the gate, it is impossible to spot them out. Russell and Jesse decide to remain in line. Once they are inside the park, they will wait near the entrance, so they can gather together. Minutes later, the park does open, and Russell and Jesse walk through the gates.

  All of the men shortly after that, eventually reunite with each other. Victor is wearing a blue graphic t-shirt and jeans and white tennis shoes. Brian is wearing a black buttoned up shirt, also with jeans and sneakers. The men quickly wait in line for the “Ghostwriter” rollercoaster, positioned right beside the entrance of the park. After riding the rollercoaster, the guys then go look at a wild west performance show. Following that, they go and check out several gift and hobby shops located all around the park.

  The men get on two more ride attractions, the mine cart underground ride, and they also get on the log flume ride. Even though the men are having a nice time, most of their day is being spent standing in line for attractions. The park is extremely crowded on this particular day, so the que times to get on the rides will be quite lengthy. While they are waiting in line for the rides, the men engage in banter and friendly talk. Using these opportunities to chat with each other and expand socially; finding things about one another that they didn’t know beforehand. The day continues onto the evening, with the men practically checking out every ride and attraction the park has to offer almost. One of the last attractions the men all witness together, is a Native American 3D animation presentation called the “Mystery Lodge”.

  The show tells a story about Native American lifestyle and nature. Once they leave the show, it is now late in the evening. Russell and Jesse wish to go to the video arcade. Brian and Victor decide to revisit some rides they have already been on. The men all agree on separating from each other for the rest of the day. Russell and Jesse say goodbye to Brian and Victor, and they all go on about their way through the amusement park. Russell and Jesse once inside the arcade, play several games. Russell plays one of Kevin’s favorite games, which is “Time Crisis”. Russell although not as skilled as Kevin was at it, does rather well in the game. Russell and Jesse then go to the air hockey tables. Russell notices that Jesse is not that great at the game, and lets him win several times, with Jesse quickly deducing what Russell is doing. However, they are having a great amount of fun while playing.

  Russell and Jesse leave out of the arcade, and then decide to take a risk that it being so late in the evening, that the whitewater rafting ride won’t have a long line. Sure enough, the line for the ride isn’t long at all. They get on, and they get moderately wet, as suspected. Due to the night still being quite humid, they are able to dry off fast. Russell and Jesse then walk through many prize redemption skill games. Russell asks Jesse if he wants to win a prize for him, and Jesse says no. Russell doesn’t listen to him, and plays a game anyways. In order to win a prize, Russell has to throw darts at balloons to pop them. Russell successfully does on his first try, and Jesse picks out a big “Snoopy” doll to take. They both then get on an elevator gentle ride, and then on the train attraction which takes you around the park. Russell and Jesse then decide to go home, as it’s now almost 9 P.M., and the park closes in an hour. Before heading home, Russell and Jesse stop at the “Knott’s Berry Farm” fried chicken fast food restaurant still attached to the park. While they are waiting in line to order, Yvette surprisingly taps on Jesse’s shoulder.

  “Oh my god, Jesse!? Is that you? This is a small world. How have you been sweetheart?”

  Yvette didn’t notice Russell standing in front of him. But Jesse turns arounds to her.

  “Yvette! I’m doing fine. It’s good to see you girl! Oh god!”

/>   Yvette and Jesse hug, and from hearing Jesse acknowledge Yvette, Russell turns around and reveals his face to Yvette. She has a complete opposite reaction to him, and responds.

  “Oh, hey Russell. How are you hun? You doing good?”

  Russell simply nods his head and smirks at her. Russell and Yvette then hug each other. Yvette is with a male companion of hers. He is a forty-year-old bald Caucasian man with a hockey beard and mustache who’s extremely quiet. Yvette then introduces him to both Russell and Jesse.

  “Matt, these were my coworkers from the bank I worked at. I don’t think they have ever met you. You guys, this is Matt. I’ve been dating him for a while. He’s never been to ‘Knott’s Berry Farm’, so I thought I would take him here. My kids are with my sister, and they are out in the park somewhere having fun. I wanted to get a quick bite to eat. Nice seeing you both.”

  Matt shakes both Russell and Jesse’s hand. Jesse then engages in small talk with Yvette, while waiting in line. Jesse quickly comes up with a fib, that he and Russell are at the park, because Jesse asked Russell to take him there, due to Jesse’s affinity for amusement parks. He also explains to her that he and Russell are now close friends. He of course is not revealing any of the recent antics and shenanigans that he and Russell have been involved in. Not explaining to her anything about Brian and Victor. Yvette based on her past relationship with Jesse, has no doubts at all to what he’s explaining to her.

  Yvette explains that she now has a job at Matt’s tow truck company as a receptionist. Russell due to his difficult relationship with Yvette, decides not to speak to her at all, keeping his head forward, eavesdropping at Jesse’s conversation with her. He does however smile to himself, that Jesse is clever enough to keep everything a secret. Russell reaches the counter, and orders food for himself and Jesse. Yvette and Matt then place their order. When Russell and Jesse’s order is ready, Yvette and Jesse hug once more, and say goodbye to each other. Yvette then smacks Russell on his shoulder, and she gives him a disappointed look, and quickly gives him a hug.

  She and Matt then walk away. Russell and Jesse then walk the long distance back to Russell’s car, staying silent of each other. Jesse holds onto the large stuffed “Snoopy” dog that Russell won for him. Once inside the car, Russell takes out his box of cigarettes, and gives Jesse one. He lights his cigarette, and lights Jesse’s cigarette as well. Russell takes puffs of his cigarette, while he’s driving. Jesse turns up the stereo which is playing hip hop music. Throughout the car ride home, Jesse and Russell remain quiet and don’t speak at all.

  When they both arrive to Russell’s home, Jesse places the stuffed animal in the corner of the living room, underneath Russell’s framed sports jerseys. Jesse then slips off his shoes and takes one of his fashion magazines, and walks inside Russell’s bedroom. Jesse lays down on Russell’s bed, listening to music while reading the magazine. Russell takes off his shoes and socks, and sets them under the coffee table. He then walks over to the kitchen, and opens the freezer. He takes out a bottle of vodka, and pours it into a glass taking a sip. Russell then walks out to the balcony connected to his kitchen, and walks over to the side connecting to his bedroom.

  With the curtains slightly open, Russell notices Jesse is unaware that he’s standing outside, due to the night sky, and Jesse having his headphones on. Russell knocks loudly on the glass, scaring Jesse greatly. Russell then laughs at him, and Jesse gives him a disgusted expression. Russell signals for Jesse to unlock the balcony door and he does. Russell stands in the doorway, and raises the vodka glass in front of Jesse and grunts, signaling him if he wants a sip. Jesse takes a swallow of the vodka and they both smile at each other.

  Russell then pecks Jesse on the cheek. Jesse then returns to Russell’s bed, puts his headphones back on, and returns to his magazine. Russell shuts the balcony door, and looks out towards the city and the night sky. Taking sips from his glass of vodka, smiling to himself.

  Chapter 19

  NOTHING SMOOTH, NOTHING ROUGH

  The following morning, Jesse awakes in Russell’s bed by himself. He is staring outside the balcony window, looking at the sun and sky. Still feeling slightly tired, Jesse turns his head over to the alarm clock on the nightstand; it is showing that it’s 11:30 A.M. He comes out of the bedroom, and walks to the living room where Russell currently is sitting down on the sofa watching a football game. Russell is wearing a white hoodie, and some black sweatpants with sneakers. Jesse takes a seat down on the sofa beside him, and watches the television screen showing the sports game. Russell is eating a bowl of corn flakes, and drinking a cup of coffee as well. A few minutes later, Jesse walks back into the bedroom, and picks out a pair of clothes to wear, and then heads into the shower. While Jesse is in the bathroom, Russell receives a text message from Brian, to come to “Home Base” immediately. Russell informs Jesse of the text message, and after Jesse dresses himself in a t shirt and shorts, both of the men leave, and head out towards “Home Base”. Russell starts to wonder what the problem is, as he can tell that Brian wouldn’t have asked him and Jesse to show up otherwise.

  Russell then from all the anxiety from their final heist Friday, and Kevin sadly being killed as a result of it, starts to remember that they never actually officially discussed what they all plan to do from this point on. Also, they haven’t divided the money they received during the heist between the men yet. What they were able to get from the final heist, was once again given to Max to hold onto temporarily, who is also keeping the cash from their first heist. Even though Kevin is no longer here, Russell is confused as to what will happen now between him and the other men. He has a feeling that Brian calling them to all meet up, might have something to do with that, and a major development has been newly discovered somehow.

  Russell is glad that for the most part, he has accepted Kevin’s fate, and is going through the grieving process. He is happy that yesterday the men went to an amusement park, to have fun and get together in an exciting and joyous situation such as that. He found it odd and pleasing that he ran into Yvette, and being glad she is taking what happened in the past well. Russell has all of these thoughts in his head, as he drives to the unit to meet up with Brian and Victor. Once he parks his car outside the unit, Russell with Jesse proceeds over to the door of the unit, and unlocks it. As they both walk inside, Brian is pacing all around the unit looking down towards the floor, with his hand behind his head looking very nervous and anxious. Victor is sitting over at the sofa area, making doodles of landscapes on a piece of paper. Russell walks over to Brian and talks to him.

  “So, what’s going on exactly? Is something wrong? Tell me what happened, I’m not going to get mad. If something happened, just tell me man.”

  Brian continues to pace all around, looking unsure of himself. He then stares at Russell for a few seconds, and gives a menacing expression at him. Brian responds, and snaps back at him.

  “That’s a lie, you always fucking get mad at the slightest shit Russell. Everything is a huge fucking big deal to you. You always overact to stuff. So, you will get mad. I just know.”

  Russell smirks at Brian, and shakes his head. Jesse during this time walks over to the sofa and sits next to Victor, and watches him as Victor is continuing to draw. Victor looks at Jesse, and they both smile at each other. Jesse then picks up completed pictures Victor drew, and is amazed at Victor’s talent. The pictures are of parks and other nature themed settings of trees, buildings and birds. Brian then walks to the kitchen area, and pulls out two Budweiser’s, giving one to Russell. They both open their beers, and Brian takes a sip of his. He then continues to speak to Russell.

  “Victor was reading the paper today. You never mentioned that Kevin had a family. But they are holding a funeral for him on Wednesday. That’s what I wanted to tell you.”

  Russell takes a swallow of his beer, and shakes his head. During the investigation of their last heist, Kevin’s body was properly identified a few hours after his body was sent to be examined. The aut
horities ruled that Kevin was a hostage during the heist, as he has no criminal ties, and has no prior criminal records either. Russell creeps over to Brian’s workstation and gazes at the classic cars Brian has parked. One of which is the Oldsmobile convertible. Russell starts to move his hands around the convertible. He then replies to Brian while looking at the car.

  “I never mentioned he had a family, because I didn’t even fucking know he had one. Kevin told me his parents both died, and the rest of his family forgot about him. He always told me he was the Black Sheep, and was never appreciated or understood. I don’t know.”

  What Russell mentioned to Brian was correct. Kevin has a complex family situation, and his parents are both deceased. Kevin must have had distant family which live in the area as well, that he never revealed or made notice to Russell about. His family members were told that he was killed, and have quickly arranged a funeral service for him to take place in a few days. This news comes as quite a shock for Russell. The last funeral he went to a few weeks ago, was for Peter and Jennifer. It was during this funeral that he found out about Brian being the robber who escaped during the heist at the “Sunset Credit Union”, and Victor being the guy who originally was supposed to rob the bank, but stood outside and watched the entire time.

  Both of these men, whom were present at the funeral. As Kevin was someone who was very close with him, Russell feels obligated to attend, and has many conflicting emotions. One part of him feels secure in attending the funeral to respect Kevin, and to say his final goodbye to him. The other side of Russell feels guilty that he is the reason that Kevin was killed. If he was never reintroduced to Russell’s life, Kevin most likely would not have gotten involved with the rest of the men. It was because of his actions of playing a part in the bank heists, which was ultimately the death of him. Russell feels strange that he will attend the funeral, and people would be curious as to who he is. He has never met Kevin’s family, and they have no knowledge or recollection to him either.