Page 15 of Claiming What's Mine

Watching from my hiding spot, I could see Blue talking and Mrs. Vicki giving her a giant smile.

We're in.

Casually, I crossed the street with my hands in my pockets, watching to see who else was around.

Bill Travers was sweeping the spiderwebs out of the corners of the sign to his hardware store. Bill was a younger guy, he moved there from Michigan and used his trust fund money to open his store. At least, that's what my father had said on one of his jealous, drunken rants.

Whether or not it was true, well I suppose only those close to him would really know. Forcing a smile, I waited for him to look at me as I approached, but he didn't even glance in my direction as I passed.

Mr and Mrs. Jones were walking up the sidewalk, heading for Katelyn's Cafe, holding hands like they were newly engaged. They were probably close to seventy, married for longer than my father was alive, and still smiling.

Mrs. Jones squeezed her husband's hand tighter as they watched their feet, strolling right by me as if I wasn't even there. Grimacing to myself, I partially stuck out my tongue in disgust at their PDA.

It was gross. Not only was it gross because girls were raunchy, smelled funny, and never made sense, but it was simply vomit worthy that they touched each other like that. I was never getting married, never having a girlfriend, never, no way in hell.

Leaning against the big glass display window, I picked up my foot and rested it against the building. Taking one last scan, it seemed like everyone was so preoccupied with themselves that I became a fly on the wall. No one noticed me, not one person. That had to be the first time in history that no one glanced at me, warily observant of what I was doing.

This is perfect. It's like I'm invisible.

Pushing open the door, the bell jingled softly and Mrs. Vicki took a moment to look beyond Blue. “Good morning, Mr. Henry.” Giving me a smile, she pursed her lips as she spoke. “Let's not go making a mess of things like we did last week, alright?”

“Good morning, and don't worry, I won't. I'm just looking for something for my sister.”

Her smile thinned as her eyes went back to my accomplice. Blue didn't even flinch, no stumble, no waiver, nothing. She looked at me just like anyone would if their conversation was interrupted by a stranger.

Roaming through the isles, I picked up random items, pretending to read the back as if I was interested. Watching the front counter, I moved deeper into the bakery, trying not to draw attention to myself.

Mrs. Vicki knew me fairly well, but I wasn't sure if she ever really knew I was the one with sticky fingers. Every so often she'd let me sweep for some extra money, or I'd wash the windows and dust. I think she was one of the few who felt bad for me, so I took advantage of her weakness. I let her pity me, I accepted her offerings, and I used her when I wanted to.

Does that make me a bad person?

Does it really matter?

Ignoring the brief battle of good verses evil, I shook my head and focused on how I was going to hide the small pie under my shirt.

Blue was pointing at something on the bottom of the glass display, which forced Mrs. Vicki to bend down, placing me out of her line of sight. Taking one last, quick look, I snatched an apple pie and started for the front of the store.

“Thanks, but you don't have what she wants,” I barked as I made a beeline for the door and threw it open with one arm.

I had no clue if Mrs. Vicki said anything back to me or not, all I could hear was the blood pumping in my ears. Adrenaline was rushing through my veins, causing my muscles to shake and my stomach to clench.

Running straight across the street, I didn't even bother looking. A loud horn blared in my right ear, causing me to trip over my feet and almost fall. Catching my balance I waved in apology at the driver and kept moving.

He didn't care that I was a kid, he gave me the middle finger and grumbled a few choice words out his window.

Reaching the small alleyway, I caught my breath and peeked out from around the corner to see if anyone was pointing in my direction or waving Mrs. Vicki down.

Nothing. . . This really is a good day.

Watching Blue, she gave Mrs. Vicki a smile, handing her a few dollars. Cocking a brow, I was trying to figure out what was happening. Mrs. Vicki passed Blue a brown paper bag, returning an even larger smile as Blue turned and walked out the door.

Stopping at the edge of the street, she waited for the cars to go by then jogged across the road. Her lips were turned up into this huge grin as she swung the bag back and forth at her side.

“What is that?” I asked as she rounded the corner.

“What?” lifting the bag, she asked, “This?”

“Yes that. You actually bought something?”

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