As before, thanks to amazing bookreader525 for beta-reading this chapter for me! ^^


Johnny loves to sing. He sings whenever he gets the chance. This means, he sings whenever his dad is not around. His dad wouldn't understand. Singing is something someone does in the shower, music is something you listen to when there's nothing else to do or when you need ambient noise to cover what you're really doing. And in his dad's case that is when you do something illegal.

But for Johnny, music is so much more. It is what keeps him going. Whenever he is alone, he starts singing. And that's not always good. Especially not when he's keeping a lookout and starts singing because there's no one else around. But he just can't help himself. Whenever his dad isn't around, whenever he's alone, he starts singing. He loves singing just so very much!

He takes after his mom when it comes to music, he had that one figured out rather quickly. Not that he can really remember his mom. He was too young when she died. But there are some things he does remember. A lovely voice singing, a warm hand on his forehead or gentle fingers stroking his cheek. He remembers her singing voice the best, though. It somehow stuck with him. Sometimes, when Johnny wakes up in the morning, when he's not awake enough to actually think, when he's in this pleasant state between sleeping and waking where anything is possible, he can sometimes hear her voice. Part of him knows that it's only there in his head, but it sounds like it's coming from the kitchen. Like every morning when he was little. His mom always was singing when making breakfast. It feels like he could get up and her voice would become louder when he enters the kitchen; she'd be there, singing and smiling. It's so nice. Until he wakes up and remembers that his mom died many years ago. It always makes his heart ache a little, even after all this time.

He always hums a melody when he gets dressed, but falls silent the moment he enters the kitchen. Because his dad is there. And his dad doesn't understand why Johnny loves music so much. He even scolded Johnny when he said he wanted to be a singer when he was younger. Because, really, making money with music? How ridiculous is that! No, according to his dad, Johnny needs to do something more concrete. Like his dad does with his gang.

So Johnny does what his dad asks him to. He keeps a lookout or helps the gang check out possible targets. And that's okay.

But sometimes, Johnny thinks that the low chance of actually making a living out of his singing is not the only reason why his dad is so against it. Sometimes, he thinks it's because his mom loved singing so much. He got this idea soon after his mom died and he entered the kitchen in the morning. Eating his breakfast, he just couldn't stand the silence anymore and started singing. And his dad turned his head and looked at him, his face so hurt, before he said angrily that Johnny shouldn't sing because he wanted to eat his breakfast in silence for once. Back then, Johnny didn't understand. He just stopped singing when his dad was around because it would make him angry. Over the years he remembered the wounded look on his dad's face, realizing that there might be more behind it. His dad would never admit it, though, and Johnny would never ask. So it is just an idea that his dad doesn't want him to sing because it's hurting him too much.

What Johnny knows for sure is that his dad doesn't want him to sing because it's useless. It doesn't bring any money. The gang and their jobs, they bring money, not singing.

But still, Johnny can't help it. Whenever he's keeping a lookout and is all alone, he starts singing.

It happened again today and it almost got him, his dad, and his gang caught. His dad was angry and disappointed, but it turned out well, mostly thanks to Barry's amazing driving skills. They managed to shake off the cops, but for a long time, it was close, really, really close.

Whenever Johnny felt his dad's eyes on him during the pursuit, he flinched a little. There was so much disappointment in them. But as soon as they reached the garage, Johnny was quick to help unload the loot. His dad seemed to be pleased. Only when his dad left the room to change into his regular clothes did Johnny allow himself to take a deep breath.

His dad has still not returned, but Johnny is telling himself for the hundredth time now that he needs to be more careful. Heck, he can even hear the sirens in the distance. Okay, they are not so distant - they are actually really close.

Johnny's eyes widen when he realizes that he forgot to pull down the shutter of the garage. So much for being careful! He quickly runs to the front of the garage and catches up on that. The shutters are almost down completely when something gets blown inside by a breeze. Johnny pulls down the shutter all the way, but his eyes are on the yellow piece of paper. He grabs it and reads what's written on it.

His eyes widen and a big smile spreads on his face when his brain processes the words.

A hundred-thousand dollars for a singing competition? That's great! That's money, actual money!

He can hear his dad's voice behind him and Johnny quickly hides the flyer in his jacket. Yes, he might be able to win some money with his singing, but he can't tell his dad about that yet. He needs to win the money first. Then his dad would understand, and would see that Johnny can make a living out of his singing.

And maybe, just maybe hearing Johnny sing wouldn't hurt his dad so much. He can only hope.