"We're almost there, it's okay…" I open my eyes and wonder if I'm dreaming. I hear light footsteps on the stairs coming down. I close my eyes again as the footsteps reach the floor and are nigh on around the corner.
"Look, your father's sleeping."
I hear Ms Fahlenbock's voice, causing that weird feeling to flare up. Ugh… Matilda, what did you say this time? I slow my breathing down and very faintly open a eye. I can barely make out two shadowy figures standing in front of me.
The moonlight dimly lights them up, revealing them to be Ms Fahlenbock and Matilda. Ms Fahlenbock has a strange look on her face on her face, almost like she's staring into my soul, and Matilda looks worried with tears in trailing down, but then she smiles relived. What the hell happened up there?
"We should go, Kiddie. Your father must be exhausted and he needs to rest.
Let's go…" I hear and see them turn around, and I fully open my eyes. I see Ms Fahlenbock has on a oversized black t-shirt and her beautiful dark brown hair is silky from her brushing. I wonder where the hell Matilda got those lizard pajamas? Wait, since I'm wondering about shit, what happened up there?
Why'd they come down here? Then it comes to me…
'Ughh, I hope she wasn't dreaming of me!" I turn over and go to sleep… Sleep is coming quick and easy, total darkness.
Ring, ring, ring! Ugh, what now?! Ring, ring, ring! I grab my pants from the ground and fish out my phone from it's usual place - my front right pocket. Ring, ring, ring!
I answer it, without even seeing the caller.
"Owen."
"I called because I was worried." This fat fuck, talking while eating…
"If you keep talking while stuffing your mouth, you'll bite your tongue."
Knowing Owen, he'll swallow it too…
"Why are you calling me while you're eating?"
"What do you want, for me not to eat?" I roll my eyes.
"Anyways, how are you two?
You still camping?" It hits me where I'm at!
"No, we're not." I get up.
"Where are you then?"
Check if anyone's coming, I'm clear.
"I'm in the woman's house!"
"Which woman?" I roll my eyes. In the background, I can hear Owen's mother ask him what woman.
She's very eager to set him up with a woman to marry… Owen quickly stammers that I'm with a woman.
"Owen, I'm at Ms Fahlenbock's house!" I can hear Owen gasp like a schoolgirl.
"What!?
Are you serious!?"
"Yes." I deapanly say.
"Excellent! I don't know how you did it!
Listen, tell me 'everything' you're doing, so I can help you!"
"Not necessary. You know me, I always see a job through."
"Breakfast!" I hear Matilda yell from above.
Oh right… I sigh.
"Owen, I gotta go. We'll meet up at noon."
"Alright, alright!
Go on, my friend! You show them who's boss!" Owen can be really fucking weird… I hang up and make my way up the stairs, smiling along the way. I see Ms Fahlenbock making coffee and french toast.
Matilda pouring syrup on her stack, practically drooling. Fuck me sideways, that smells gooooood!
"Good morning, Ms Fahlenbock!" I say with a smile.
"Good morning, Mr Nelson!"
I sit next to Matilda and mess her hair.
"Good morning, Kiddie!"
"Mr Nelson, would you like some coffee?"
"I'd love some, thank you!" She goes to get a mug.
"Are you feeling better?"
"What do you care?" I turn to Ms Fahlenbock.
"Ms Fahlenbock, I wanna thank you for the medicine, it knocked me out cold! Thank you, I really appreciate it."
Ms Fahlenbock comes and sets two stacks of french toast on Matilda's plate.
"You're welcome, Mr Nelson. But let's not be getting ahead of ourselves, you should rest." She goes back to cooking.
"Yes, of course."
I turn and see Matilda sipping on a glass of milk… When She handed me a small carton of something.
"It's milk."
"No, you drink it."
"No, I don't like milk, here."
I grabbed it and started to painfully eat it all with Matilda smiling at me… Matilda turns and sees me, confusing her…
"What?"
"You told me you don't like milk…" Matilda looks away, avoiding the fact that I caught her lie.
"This is very delicious, Gwen! I love it!"
"Thank you, Kiddie! Enjoy them!" I see Matilda scarf the fuck out of them, acting like she hasn't eaten in years.
She's like Owen's spawn rather mine…
"Eat slower!" I whisper.
"Slower!" Ms Fahlenbock turns around and brings more servings, I smile.
"Just teaching her how to eat civilized." I turn to Matilda.
"Remember, I told you to pick up the utensils and cut."
"It's okay. Let her eat how she wants."
She serves me some french toast and drizzles some maple syrup, before handing me the plate.
"Thank you." I smile.
"You're welcome." She smiles back at me, time is slower for some reason…
Until I hear a metallic clang in front of me and see that Matilda placed utensils for me…
"Please, enjoy." I nod to Ms Fahlenbock.
"I try to show her how to eat, I give her the amount according to a growing child-."
"Lie."
Matilda quips.
"Gwen, can I have more please? It's delicious!"
"Of course, Kiddie!"
"Kiddie, we talked about this.
You can't speak with your mouth full. It's impolite, besides if you eat too fast, your tummy'll hurt."
"I'll be fine." Ugh, fucking kids…
"Here you okay, my love."
Ms Fahlenbock serves Matilda with some more french toast and Matilda gives her a joyful grin.
"Thank you, Gwen!"
"You're welcome!" She goes back to cooking and I lean towards Matilda.
"Why are you eating so much?"
"Why are you asking so many questions? Makes you look like an Ogre." Eh, I've been called worse…
"Mouthy little brat…" Ms Fahlenbock turns off the stove and walks over, sits down.
"So, do you and Matilda have any weekend plans?"
"Sure, we always do."
"No." Matilda says flatly. Goddamn it.
Making it harder to keep you…
"We never do anything." Ms Fahlenbock looks at me, a little shocked.
"Well, I've been busy with work, you know?" She nods in acceptance.
"I have to go to a stable to look after a horse, if you want, Matilda can join me?" I literally feel Matilda break her neck turning to face me. I slowly turn towards her. Her big brown eyes are freaking me out…
"Sure!
Sounds great, in the meantime, I can go hunt for a place to stay."
"Perfect, Kiddie, we'll leave after breakfast."
"Ah, look at her! Isn't she just the luckiest girl in the world?" Ms Fahlenbock looks at me and we smile.
A dog barks and roams in, kinda looks like the mutt Matilda brought to my shithole. Ms Fahlenbock excuses herself to feed the dog and in the meanwhile, I grab some food and shamelessly stuff it down my mouth. Owen would be so proud… Ugh…
"Finally, I'll have a break from you."
Matilda scoffs.
"You're just jealous because I'm going with her and you're not."
"I got no business to do in a stable. I got work to do."
"You don't."
I roll my eyes as Ms Fahlenbock comes back. We eat in silence, with an occasional glance at each other - to which we quickly look away. Damn it, Nelson, don't be going all soft! The paintings! After breakfast ends, I go to the living room and study the paintings, while the girls get dressed.
After ten minutes, they drop down.
"Alright, Kiddie, don't be annoying Ms Fahlenbock. Behave, don't make me regret letting you go."
"Oh, she won't annoy me." Ms Fahlenbock flashes me a kind smile.
Ms Fahlenbock realizes she forgot some special clothes for Matilda and goes back upstairs. As soon as she's out of both eyesight and earshot, our smiles drop.
"You're gonna behave yourself, right?" I roll my eyes.
"Be quiet…"
"You're not gonna touch those paintings! I forbid it!" Oh my fuckin, seriously?
"What are you talking about, stop bothering me!"
"I'm warning you!
Those paintings better be there when we get back! If they're not, I'll turn you to the police!" I get down to meet her at eye level.
"Look here, you little parasite, don't ever threaten me! You won't scare me with that, understand?"
Footsteps are getting louder.
"Ready, Kiddie?" I put my hands around Matilda's face.
"My little girl!" I plant a kiss on her forehead.
"You behave yourself, Kiddie." Ms Fahlenbock passes me, smiles, I give her one back.
"Let's go." Ms Fahlenbock heads out, but Matilda stays. She turns around, serious.
Come on, leave!
"Don't you dare…" Then she steps out and closes the door. I sigh and shake my head. Alone at last…
I turn and face the paintings.
"Well, well, well… Hello mr painting! How's it hanging?" I chuckle as I walk towards it and begin to take it down.
BARK, BARK, BARK! I turn around - or I think my departed soul turns. Ms Fahlenbock's dog is barking at me.
"For fuck's sake! Get out of here!"
BARK, BARK! I put the painting back in it's place in an effort to shut the mutt up. It works… I swear, Matilda trained it or something… I sigh and then I head to the kitchen with the dog in tow and open the fridge, pulling out a slice of ham.
"Yes, you want some, huh?" The dog's tail is wagging so fast, it's a blur. I walk to the sliding door, opening it and tossing the ham out and Scooby fucking Doo rushes to it. I close the door behind him and lock it.
"Now, back to what I was doing!"
No Matilda to bug me, no other obstacles in my way! Ring, ring, ring!
"Owen, I was just gonna -." Owen interrupts me with the two words I hoped to never hear, my blood runs cold, COLD, FUCKING COLD!
"I-I-I'll meet you right there!
DO NOT FUCKING MOVE!" I put on my boots and head over to the park to meet up with Owen. Owen is sitting by himself, looking slightly unnerved, I pull out a cigarette, light up and stop just in front of him. He's lost in his thoughts, I let him relax a bit while I smoke for a bit. After a minute and half my cigarette, I take a drag and speak.
"So… His sentence has reached its end…" Owen doesn't bother looking up, nods.
"He went to find me as soon as he stepped out…" I take another drag.
"What'd he tell you?" Owen looks up, worried.
"What else is he gonna say? He looking for you…" I take a final drag before exhaling it out in a sigh and I walk away, flicking my cigarette.
Owen stands up and runs to me.
"Wait, wait! Where you going?!" I turn to Owen.
"He's looking for me.
So, I'll make it easier for him…"
"What?! No! Don't be ridiculous, Duncan! It's obvious why he wants to see you."
"Why?"
"To kill you! Don't find him, just disappear! You gotta leave the city at once!" I look at Owen's frightened expression.
I shake my head.
"No, Duncan Nelson runs from nobody! Except the police…" I continue walking with Owen bitching behind me the way over. We go to the underground part of the city, where us thieves socialize.
It's practically our own town, nobody fucks with anyone unless for clear reason - aside from that, it's a friendly spot. I enter the coffee shop - The Bad Obsession. Usually it's grown retired cons playing friendly games of Blackjack, Dominos or Liar's Dice. I spot the owner, Geoff - a Californian hype man/drug smuggler turned cafe owner.
"Dude, Mr Nelson!
Been a long time, brah, where've you been?" He shakes my hand and Owen's, he doesn't ask Owen as he's was just here and he comes in twice a week to play the old timers.
"Geoff, have you seen…" I look around, but cannot find him…
"...Scott?"
Geoff looks to the left and in the back, sitting alone is a man about my size and build, in a raggedy wife beater and faded blue jeans, black kicks. His gingered hair is longer, darker and has one or two wisps falling over his forehead onto his eyes and he's grown a chin beard during his sentence. Last I saw him, he had shorter messy hair in a classic ginger light color and no facial hair. Back then, Owen was fatter and had a mop cut and full beard, he looked like Chris Farley. I had my hair at cheekbone length - like Scott somewhat has now - and I'd dye the highlights dark green and shave the sides of my head, having the hair drape a side and I'd grow a chin beard - again like Scott's got now….
But now, I shave the sides and back of my hair at buzzcut length and leaving the top long enough that when Owen punched me wisps reached my eyes, but I comb it back. And in my poverty, I have grown a beard as I do not own a clipper and I remain the same build as I was back then - toned and athletic. Owen has slimmed the fuck down. Kinda as he's got a beer belly, although that might be food as well. He's got side burns and looks like John Belushi…
Scott gets up and walks toward us. Slowly. With his hands behind his back. An icy scowl on his face…
"Well, about time you got here…"
He stops four feet away from me, and I say nothing. Just staring him down. Unsure on what'll happen next… Geoff and Owen look wildly uncomfortable.
"Du-Duncan, Scott, maybe you brahs can mellow this harshness outside?"
I look at Geoff with my eyes and nod, Owen is the first out, Scott and I tie for second. We go to the sidewalk, where it's just the three of us. Scott and I are still not talking, yet staring at each other. I decide on speaking first.
"Congratulations, you look good…"
Still tough and athletic looking, not sure if a fight will remain in a stalemate - not itching to find out.
"I am good! How could I not be after spending eight years in vacation."
"Why are you looking for me?"
"Well, it's not because I missed you so much."
Owen attempts to speak.
"SILENCE!" He shouts, Owen basically shrinks.
"Settle down, don't yell." Scott tilts his head in confusion.
"What? You should be relived and thanking me for not putting a bullet in your head!" He takes a step towards me.
"Hey, 'ey, relax…"
"The police had me cornered, I didn't know what to do.
And what did you do? You ran! I thought we were friends? Brothers?! Inseparable?!
Where was that Brotherhood, huh?! Tell me!"
"Don't say that!" Owen steps in.
"In eight years, you both didn't visit me!
You two are fucking bastards!"
"When have you see a Con go near a prison voluntarily? There are rules! The first is to escape at the first whiff of bacon."
"Or you'll be in prison for eight years!"
I decide to interject.
"Don't say that, why would we want the law to pinch you?"
"Don't lie, we're not Brothers anymore - let alone friends. You'll pay your debt to me…" I don't even blink.
"Debt? What debt?" Owen says in disbelief.
"My cut of the job! $9,000!"
He nervously chuckles while I slide my hand down my face in shock.
"Don't be ridiculous, Duncan and I didn't get a single thing for that job." Scott gets near Owen.
"With interest, it's $60,000." I speak.
"We don't have that type of money." I let out a chuckle. Scott looks even more pissed.
"You have one week to acquire the money." I step towards him.
"Or what exactly?" He steps towards me - we are not two feet from each other.
"Or I'll be a fucking throbbing pain in your side for you and any of your loved ones…" I clench my jaw and ball my fists.
"I'll make your life a living fucking hell.
You know me, Duncan. You know I am capable of it…" His face relaxes completely.
"One week…" Yet his tone remains icy and dangerous.
He proceeds to walk past Owen and I, leaving us both in the wake of this shitshow… We stand looking at him walk away for a minute, even after he's out of sight.
"See, I told you we shouldn't have come. He wants revenge!" I shake my head and head back to Ms Fahlenbock's without even saying a word to Owen.
I just leave him there so we gather our thoughts. I walk to Ms Fahlenbock's and see her car there. I knock on the door and am greeted by her smile. Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, yet I am still haunted by earlier.
"Welcome!
Did you get any work done?" I walk in and merely grunt a yes. I walk into the living room and I feel Ms Fahlenbock turn to me…
"Did something happen?" I turn slowly.
Yes, my former Brother is out of the clink and threatened me to pay him an nonexistent debt plus interest and all the more, I have to rob you. You, who selflessly took in a dumbass and his 'daughter'...
"No… Nothing happened." I nervously pull off a relaxing smile.
She smiles back, but then puts on another serious face.
"Mr Nelson, is now a good time to speak on the paintings?" Not this… I simply nod and we make our way to the living room, I sit down on the sofa, next to Matilda's backpack, while Ms Fahlenbock takes the chair to my right.
"Well, since you're an expert, I was wondering if you could tell me the true value of the paintings, that way I can find apporarate buyers.
You're the ideal person for me. Truth be told, I really want to get rid of them as soon as possible." I open my mouth, possibly to tell her something completely alien to me, but…
"Oh, you're here!" I hear Matilda standing in front of us, with a coloring book and crayons.
The final piece, can this day get anymore fucked?!
"When did you get here?" She greets me with a smile and Ms Fahlenbock gently strokes her head lovingly. She goes to me and sits on the floor in front of the coffee table to color.
"We went to the stables and saw some horses!"
"Hmm…" I close my eyes briefly, and am meet with Scott's gaze…
"One of them is called Petey!" I nod absentmindedly and the doorbell rings, causing us all to look at it. Ms Fahlenbock gets up to answer it.
She smiles at us as she gets up, I close my eyes and let out a sigh in relief as I don't have to talk about the paintings - for now… The door opens and I hear a man's voice, causing my ears to prick up and my eyes to open. A man enters, dressed in a fancy three piece top - navy blue coat, a grey dotted vest and white dress shirt. He's wearing fucking pressed rich boy jeans. Who wears jeans in a suit, especially a three piece?
Guy's got black hair, long enough that he combs it down on the left side of his face - he looks like that tween pop star something Beaver. Fuck, his forehead is HUGE! Somebody's been bottling his thoughts away. His smile disappears as soon as he sees Matilda and I.
"Oh, I didn't know you had guests…"
Wonder why he's here…
"We're not 'guests', we live here!" I turn to Matilda. Why the fuck did she had to sass that?!
"For now, at least…"
I whisperly shush the brash child…
"Oh?"
He turns to Ms Fahlenbock, who sheepishly blushes. I catch myself staring with a smirk.
"Seriously?"
"Uhh, he's just a friend and his daughter… Who'll be staying for a bit."
Thank fuck, Owen ain't here - he'd be a blubbering idiot trying to ease the tension.
"Allow me to introduce you. Duncan Nelson, this is Trent Banks." I stand up and shake his hand.
"A pleasure."
"Likewise…" I sit back down and Trent goes and sits in the chair to my right, across from Ms Fahlenbock's spot. She goes to make coffee, leaving Trent and I awkwardly look at each other from time to time. I was wrong, apparently it can get more fucked… Me and my big mouth…
Ms Fahlenbock comes back with the coffees and a glass of milk for Matilda. Except for Matilda, we all thank her with a mutter.
"So what do you dedicate yourself to, Mr Nelson?"
"Uhh, freelance - I mean, I'm an art expert."
"Art expert, huh?
Really?"
"It's true, Trent. He's a connoisseur in art." She smiles warmly at me as she sips her tea. I return the sentiment, but in a smaller smile.
Trent sipped his coffee and sets it on the stand to his left.
"Art… Gwen is an old friend, she should have a good reason to be helping you." I turn to Ms Fahlenbock and she eyes Trent, then me, then back at him.
"And if you're important to her, then you're important to me too."
I very much doubt that… This big foreheaded prick is giving me pompous vibes… He sits up, leaning forward.
"It must be so difficult, someone in your situation with a baby." Breathe, Nelson, breathe…
Ms Fahlenbock looks slightly shocked - I remain silent, but…
"I'm not a baby, and my name's Matilda Olivia!" Matilda doesn't…
"Ah, Matilda, right… That's your name?"
Kinda sounding like a dick… I put a smile.
"Thank you, but we don't need any help."
"I understand you don't work." I look down at my feet, listening while appearing disinterested.
"I own a private hospital, and we occasionally need nurses, cleaners. That sorta stuff." I see Matilda's head bolt up, yet she remains quiet. For now anyway…
"No, thanks."
Again, I painfully smile with fake gratefulness.
"Trent, don't be so insistent. He isn't just anybody - Mr Nelson has gotten a great education and a fine reputation. I'm very certain to say that he will be fine!" I look at her and honestly feel a bit lousy.
Bless her. A great education in conning and a fine rep at being a grade A fucking idiot!
"I'm just saying he can have some financial income while he goes home." I've had enough!
"What are you getting at?!"
My voice barely can contain my peaked rage and irritation that is today.
"Speak clearer and to the point, I'm not following! Why do you want me to leave?! You calling me a bum? Better watch what you say!"
I feel something on my left wrist and I see Matilda holding, giving me a 'calm-down' look.
"Mr Nelson, please calm down." Ms Fahlenbock sounds worried. I look at Banks. Fuck this noise!
I get up and grab Matilda's backpack.
"Kiddie, get up! We're leaving!" I pull Matilda to her feet and I walk past Ms Fahlenbock, who's fucking shocked and worried.
"Come on, let's go!"
"M-mr Nelson! T-Tilly… W-wa-wait!"
"Let's get out of here…" I usher Matilda out the door and behind me, I hear Ms Fahlenbock continue to plead, while I hear Trent yell indifferently that he 'wanted' to help.
I open the door and lead Matilda down the stairs and onto the streets. Ms Fahlenbock runs after us.
"Mr Nelson! Matilda! Wait!"
I stop and turn to face her.
"I-I'm, I'm sorry. Really." I shrug.
"Why?
He's got a point…"
"It's not like that…"
"It's true, Ms Fahlenbock. You're letting strangers into your home without knowing them first."
"Yes, but I -!"
I cut her off.
"Listen, those paintings cost a real fortune. Any carelessness will result in a heavy loss. It's true, you got a fortune in that house. You should be more… careful…"
I nod at her.
"And good luck." I smile to her and begin to walk away.
"Kiddie…" I hear Ms Fahlenbock address her.
"You can come back anytime you want!"
"Thank you, Gwen."
"We'll see each other soon, Kiddie."
"We will!" I don't bother turning around, I keep walking and I hear Matilda running after me.
I realize I left my car back at the park… Yup, just keeps getting better and better! I shake my head and decide on getting food… We arrive to a taco truck halfway between the park and Ms Fahlenbock's. We eat our food in silence.
I'm still trying to process, yet forget about today…
"He wants to help me? The dumb fucker - I don't even know him…" I mutter to myself. I see through the corner of my eye Matilda look like she was gonna speak, but continue to scarf her burrito.
"Eat slower, or you'll choke."
"But I'm starving!"
"Then keep eating…"
"Where are we staying tonight?"
"I booked us a five star hotel."
I don't even bother to look at her.
"Really?!" Sucker…
"Obviously!" I shake my head.
"Gwen told me I could go to her if I wanted too…"
Hearing her name tightens my chest and sends a chill down my spine. I turn to face Matilda.
"You aren't going."
"But -..."
"I said no!"
I pause for a second.
"You know what, you can stay with her."
"Really?!"
"Sure. You'll have a proper roof over your hear, actual warm meals til you burst, and you'll have clean clothes.
It's a big house, you'll be happy. You made me lose my house and money, so go on and go to her and don't come back..."
"No, I won't go.
"What do you mean you won't go?!"
"I don't want to go.
I'm staying with you…"
"You're gonna give me a fucking stroke..." This whole fucking day will! I finish eating and pay the check. We make it to the tent and fall asleep.
Ring, Ring, Ring! Ughh! I grab it and pick up.
"What, Owen?!"
"Are you awake?"
This fucking guy…
"What do you think?"
"Justin called, said he wants to meet us."
"What…?"
"Yeah, come by Ma's to get me."
"Alright." We hang up and I look at Matilda sleeping. Maybe I should have stayed in Ms Fahlenbock's, so she'd have a babysitter… Nice going, Nelson! I ring the doorbell and I hear Owen being coddled by his mother.
Get a room - time and place, Fatty! I hear him open the door and his face drains of color when he sees Matilda's smiling face.
"I told you not to bring her!" Now, he doesn't want Matilda to tag along…
"Oh, I'm sorry!
Yeah, my usual babysitter is off shopping with the wife!" I smirk.
"Is your mom home?" Matilda asks gleefully.
"What, no-no-no-no!
You're shouldn't be here! My mom can't see you guys, she's gonna ask questions and she's starting to get suspicious!" I roll my eyes at Owen.
"If she asks Matilda a question, she'll blow it and we're screwed! It's out of the question!"
Matilda lets out a disappointed sigh.
"Well, what do we do then?" Owen gets an-idea face. Fuck me. Fuck me sideways…
We arrive outside of Justin's bitch shop and I park the car.
"Matilda, stay in the car!"
"What if I get bored?" Play in the street.
"Then go sleep!"
Owen lets her out, the soft asshole.
"You know, all of this could have been avoided if I stayed with your mom."
"Just sit, okay, Matilda? We'll be right out."
"Do not move!
If you do, don't come back!" I walk into the shop with Owen following me.
"You dicks costed me four million dollars!"
"Hey, hey, hey, you can't be calling us dicks! Careful, asshole!"
"Listen, Just-." Justin turns to Owen.
"You, shut the hell up!" Owen seems to get told to shut up a lot…
"I gave you both an easy job!
Fucking simple, a goddamn pair of blind chimps could have done it!"
"We just-..."
"Quiet." He turns to me, as I don't seem to care for him.
"You ruined your only chance!
It wasn't that difficult!"
"Justin, what happened was -."
"I only wanna hear that you two got the paintings!"
"I swear we'll get them!" Owen's practically licking this bitch's high heels.
"We'll get them, we're just looking for the right time! Think of it as a few days until then."
"I told you to be quiet. You're lucky I don't have anything to hang you with." He looks at me like a prima donna bitch.
I remain indifferent.
"Maybe I'll hang you…"
"Enough! You treat us like children and we ain't!"
"That true!
You know why she didn't fall for it? Because she got suspicious of the price!" Justin glares at Owen, who swallows his next yell.
"I mean, with all respect." I roll my eyes as Justin seems like just a small fish.
"We're fixing it, just ask how. Go on, ask!" Goddamn it, Owen! You've graduated from ass kisser to cocksmoker!
"How are you two gonna fix this?"
Justin asks with thin patience.
"We're planning a trojan horse!"
"What?" What?!
"Duncan managed to get involved with that lady!"
I break my neck at what Owen said.
"He stayed with her last night." I am literally speechless…
"Seriously? Who would have thought it?"
Justin sounds like he wants to beat off to this…
"Well, better now than later, huh?"
"Exactly!" Owen the cocksmoker agrees with a smile, while I remain shocked?
"Listen and let this sink in!
You two fuckers will end up fucked in you don't finish this job!" I begin to get angry.
"Who'll return my money if this goes bad? You two have nothing to lose. But you can gain some serious cash!
But if the plan fails and the buyer leaves, I'll kill you. I will murder you both, no more fuck ups!"
"Agreed! You will not regret this! We'll fix this up right now!
See you later!" Owen grabs my arm and drags me.
"No, wait." Justin smiles and looks at me.
"What did you do to hook up?"
I look at him, my anger bubbling.
"She's quite a looker, huh. Not as much as me, but still!" I step forward.
"Don't talk about her like that unless you wanna have problems with me!
You understand?" Justin smirks surprised.
"I'm scared."
"No, no, no, let's all settle down here!" I tune Owen out.
"Look, he's all offended that I spoke of his toy… He's gotten all soft to her. Here's a thought, why don't you bring her here for a real party?" I have contained my rage for as long as possible, but I shall unleash my fury upon you like the crashing of a thousand waves.
"Owen, you'll have to separate us…"
I tackle Justin and smash his fucking face onto the floor and punch him twice before putting my hands around his throat.
"I'm gonna murder you! Say something else about her, huh?! I'm gonna kill you!"
"No, Duncan!
Don't! Oh shit, shit, shit!"
"What was that, pretty boy?! I fucking can't hear you?"
"Hello, where's the bathroom?"
I hear Matilda's voice from around the corner and Owen pulls me off Justin and gets him up. Matilda turns the corner and is all fidgety.
"Where's the bathroom?! I really need to go!"
"I thought I told you to wait outside!"
"And pee my pants?"
"Worked for Owen!"
"Hey!" I turned to Justin, who's bruised and bloodied, clutching his throat and coughing.
"Where's the bathroom?"
He gives Matilda directions and she runs. Owen knows I'll use this to kill Justin and he steps in front of us.
"Alright, let's all be friends again! We're all tense! Justin, we'll get you the paintings.
We'll get this done in no time, trust me! We'll do it!"
"Alright, fine…" He tourns and fucks away and Matilda comes out, we all leave.
"Why don't you listen to me?
I told you to wait out here, why did you enter?!" I get down to her level. When will I not be angry or in shit?
"But -..."
"No 'but's!
What if something bad happened to you?!" I pause for a second.
"They'd take my godforsaken ass to prison!" I get up and see Matilda's tearing up.
"Do not start crying…"
She shakes her head.
"I'm not."
"Move then." We get in my van and drive off, I drop Owen off and head back to the tent. I watch Child's Play on my phone in my car, while Matilda's in the back, getting prepared for school tomorrow.
"Oh no!" I turn my hear slightly to her side.
"My colors are all ruined!" I roll my eyes.
"What's wrong?"
I turn to Matilda and she's about to cry. Ugh, not again…
"My paint color are all broken and ripped out!" I look and see that the wax colors are indeed fucked, slashed, crushed - whatever, someone must have messed with them…
"I have art tomorrow!
What am I gonna do?" I sigh.
"Look, tomorrow, as I drive you to school, I'll get you some more of those wax pastels. Only if you quit crying!" Her face immediately changes, swear those tears fucking evaporate before my eyes.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You promise?"
"If you quit crying."
"You promise you'll get them?"
I sigh.
"I promise." I go back to the movie and I open my bag of chips.
"You know, I'm hungary." I hand her the bag and she grabs a chip and sits up front.
"What's this movie about?"
"A doll…"
"Is it a good doll?" I smirk.
"He's a Good Guy…"
We sit and watch the rest of the movie on my phone. I grew up loving horror flicks, my favorite horror icon was Chucky, seen all the movies and even the show - but not the remake, I don't bother with remakes, that is true horror! I even memorized his voodoo chant from the second film. Sometimes, Scott and I would stay up all night watching them… I sigh and shake off the bittersweet memories…
I turn off my phone and get some sleep.
"... Then the pink with purple. Next purple with red…" I can't believe after I agreed to get her those stupid pastels, she has the nerve to talk! Fucking chewing my ear off!
Ring, ring, ring! I pick up my phone and see it's Ms Fahlenbock calling! I feel my ears turn red. Just my luck… Should I pick up?
No, I-I can't! Can't I? I still need to get her paintings. God-fucking-damn it! Ring, ring, ring!
I sigh and put the phone down.
"Why aren't you answering your phone?"
"It's my business why, not yours." Thank fuck, she didn't see Ms Fahlenbock's name! Matilda goes back to listing her fucking colors.
"Last, is black. But I don't like black." I fucking love black!
"Alright, enough! They're just pastels, Kiddie.
Ah, we're here…" I pull up to the art supply store and we get off. Matilda runs straight to the painting shit. Grabs one excitedly.
"This one!
It has all the colors and more!" All jumping around and shit. I grab it. $40?! Does it fucking shit gold?!
"I'm not buying this! It's pretty expensive!"
"No, it's not!"
"Yes, it is!"
"No, it's not!"
"Yes, it is!"
"Why is it?"
"Because I don't have $40! I would have been able to buy millions of these, if you hadn't fucked up the deal!" I grab a $2 one.
Same size as the gold one - they both can be taken out of their identical boxes, I open it and the colors are just the primary ones…
"Go wait in the car." I look at the gold one and the shit one and sigh. I pay the man $2 and go to my car, placing them inside of Matilda's backpack.
"There!
Now you have colors. Let's go…" I place my keys inside the ignition, but before I can turn the car on, I see something in the windshield… I get out and read it - a fucking $250 parking ticket!
"Goddamn it!
You see what you caused?! I got a fucking ticket for waiting on you to pick some bullshit!"
"How was I supposed to know, I'm just a kid!"
"You don't know shit! You don't know how to lie, how to behave, or how to keep your fucking mouth shut!
You don't know where your aunt is or how your goddamn mother is!"
"What about you? You don't know either! You're in your thirties and you don't know how to work with others, you are do everything badly, you spend your time yelling at me! You live like a vagrant, you cook poorly tasting meals that aren't good for a child and you can't even feed me, let alone yourself!
Are you sure I don't know anything?" I feel my eye fucking twitch.
"I'm gonna go fucking insane if I don't get rid of you quickly!"
"Really?" She says sarcastically.
"Shut up and get in!" I enter my van, but Matilda opens the door to yell more.
"I can't see Gwen cause of you!"
"Goddamn it! You wanna see her so bad?!
Then go see her!" I turn the key, only the damn thing won't start!
"Then if she asks me of you, what'll she do when she finds out my father is trying to rob her!"
"Come on! Come on!"
After ten seconds, I fucking get pissed and get out to see the problem. Can this day get anymore fucked? Goddamn it, it most likely will…
"This is just what I needed! Must be fucking cursed!"
I open the glove compartment and grab a flashlight. I see it's only a faulty belt, so I waste two minutes putting it back in place. I head back to my van and see Matilda still hasn't entered!
"Get in." I turn on the car and it starts!
"Yes!" I chuckle and turn, seeing Matilda look at me funny…
"What, get in, you're gonna be late." Matilda looks down and closes the glove compartment, then turns back and puts her hand on the door.
"Hey!
Where you going?" She closes the door. What the fuck is she doing?! She starts to walk away, I get out of my car.
"Matilda!
I'm talking to you!" I get around my car and see she's getting away.
"Hey!" I see her walk slowly away… What the fuck is up with her…?
I sigh.
"Fine, do whatever you want…" I mutter and go back to my van. I turn around one last time.
"Do what you want…"
I mutter before entering my van.
"You're a fucking brat, you'll come back crying soon…" I drive my van a foot or two from the do not park sign and take a nap. When I wake up, I excepted Matilda to be pissed, but I see I'm alone.
"Where the fuck are you?"
I think for a second before it hits me.
"You dumb fuck! She's obviously at school!" I start the van and drive to her school, bunch of fucking kids are running out, leaving. Aww shit!
I see some dark-ginger-haired lady dressed in a lime green top and pressed black slacks.
"Hello, I'm Duncan Nelson. Matilda's father."
"A pleasure. Izabella McCullough - Matilda's teacher.
How are you?"
"Good, and you?"
"Good, thank you. I wanted to talk to you about Matilda."
"Yes, she told me, but I couldn't come as I had work."
"I see, well, can you tell me why Matilda didn't come to school today? She's always so involved, seems strange." Fuck, she isn't here?! Where are you?!
"Uh, we went and bought some new stuff, clothes, supplies.
I would've called, but I didn't have your number, that's why I'm here now…"
"Okay… Both of you are going through a strange and new transition. The best thing is that Matilda lands on her feet as soon as possible." I nod
"You've never taken care of a child before, have you?"
"No."
"And you think you are capable of taking care of Matilda?"
I can see she and Ms Fahlenbock really care for her - they oughta go be friends or whatever.
"Yes!" I unexpectedly snap back.
"Of course, I can…" I say softly.
"Okay then, if anything happens that worries me, I'll call you. Give Matilda my regards, please?" I nod and thank Ms McCullough and she takes my phone and enters her personal number into mine. I thank her and head back to my van.
"Where are you?"
I drive through the city, into the fucking sunset.
"Where the fuck are you? Where? Where?!" Then it hits me!
Ms Fahlenbock! Even after I told her not to, of course! I drive over to Ms Fahlenbock's and sure enough, I see Matilda on the steps sleeping. She looks…Peaceful. I walk over to her and without thinking, I push a loose strand of hair away from her face.
I go to pick her up when my phone rings. Ring, ring, ring! I pick it up and walk a bit away as not to walk up Matilda.
"What is it, Owen?" This asshole calls to just see if I wanted a drink at The Bad Obsession.
"Sorry, I'm a little busy, another time." He mentions that we still gotta find a way fro the paintings.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow. Justin's a bitch and you're a dick for telling him about that shit. But as I said, that's for tomorrow."
I hang up and turn to see Matilda gone…
"What the -?" I turn and see Matilda is walking up the small hill.
"Matilda…" She stops for a brief second.
Thank fuck! Wait… She takes off running!
"Matilda, wait!" I run after her, goddamn she can run!
"Come back! Where you going!" She turns a corner and I do my damnedest to not lose sight of her. But I hit something and fall. I hit the gravel hard due to my momentum.
I look up and see her run. I get back up and see what hit me and to my horror, it's Scott! I get up, quickly, yet in my head - slowly… I feel a chill run down my spine and I'm not sure for what, but I do not like it one bit… I look to Matilda and she's getting away…
I turn back to Scott.
"She's your daughter?" I ball my fists.
"What a shame…" His voice is calm and quiet.
I step closer to him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I warned you, Duncan. I told you I was gonna be a thorn for you and your loved ones!" I turn and lean towards her way, but not move…
Scott be damned, if I don't get Matilda - then I will be in deeper shit! I run to Matilda.
"Do not underestimate me, Duncan! I am not the same person as before!" I see Matilda turn another corner and my adrenaline is fucking pumping.
"Come back, Matilda! Please!" I finally reach the corner and see Matilda… She's on the edge of a six lane… This day, man…
"Ma-Matilda! Stop!" She turns and looks at me. All sweaty and out of breath, tears running down her face.
"Why did you run?
Tell me!" I walk to her, we're five feet apart. Both heavily breathing. She looks at the traffic and then at me… Then she takes off.
"Matilda, no!" She gets to the third without a problem, I think she's trying to get across. Smart kid, kinda… I do my best to catch up, when I am almost blinded by bright fucking lights and the sound of an incoming horn. I look and see Matilda stop like a fucking deer.
I run and grab her and hold her. Then I jump and I feel myself hit something with my back then I hit the ground and everything goes black…