The Best Score

Chapt. 3 ~Progressing, But Falling Apart~

It's been about 3 months since the shopping spree and it's cold as hell in Milwaukee. I missed this place when I was gone but I forgot how much snow comes and how low the temperature gets in this urban tundra. Daniella knocks on the door and cracks it open and asks to come in. I didn't mind her waking me up, she didn't know she did but I'm at her place and whatever she wants to talk about she can tell me any time of day or night. "Dan, I've been thinking and with your new job and all for 3 months straight going on 4, I just want to tell you how proud I am of you. You're getting better in my eyes. I haven't heard you not once say anything about any money, guns, or anything. Not even Neil." Before she could say anything else I had to bud in and say, "Yeah, Neil just really isn't that important to me anymore." "Same here, that's why I divorced him. All that money got to his head." "I bet, and what money?" She looked at me like I should know. "You now, the last score you guys went on. He used his share of the money and I'm pretty sure he used your cut as well." I wasn't surprised that when we started talking about Neil, she'll start spilling the beans. "I bet so sis. But let me just sleep on it I have to work early tomorrow and it's almost midnight. Oh yeah, thanks for the compliments as well. I love you, goodnight." She got up and reached for the light, "nighty night, don't let the bed bugs bite.

The next day came and just like every day, I went to see what the time was. I found out I was late for work. I haven't been so pressed about work since I was a young teenager. I never really cared about work because of the banks and stores I used to rob. All I knew was the later I got to the factory I work at, the probability of me getting fired will be extremely high, being that the factory runs tight shifts. As I arrive to work, out of breath and exhausted, I was kind of shook to clock in. Sneaking around making sure the boss wouldn't see me come in late was quite a breeze. When he did see me, I kept it cool and acted like nothing was wrong. "Hey, Carter!" There was a long pause. "I saw you running down the street. I see you're committed. Keep up the good work, but don't let it happen again." My eyes widened and glanced at him. I was absolutely speechless for the first time in a long time. "T-thanks sir and it sure won't.

Neil picks me up from work late in the evening and I just thought I'd treat him to the bar for all the stuff he paid for to get the heist ready. "You know, I just want to show you some appreciation on payday for you buying all the heist items. Take me to the Nudie bar." He looked at me in confusion. "You mean the strip club?" "Yeah, the strip joint, whatever." That Friday night we partied like we never have before. It was memorable but the next morning we knew we'd be forgetful, very forgetful. I'll be totally honest with you, we passed the fuck out that night.

The morning after that I wake up and I'm still at the bar. Just not inside of it. I still felt drunk. As old as I was I didn't need to heavily drink like that again. But I didn't give a damn. I look at my flip phone I bought about a month ago and see I had 13 missed calls from Daniella and 21 text messages. I look around and see that Neil left me here like a complete idiot. I get a call from my boss. I hesitated to call but I answered anyway, "Carter! What did I just tell you about being late, have you not learned your lesson man? I'm sorry but I'm going to have to fire you." *click* 

I went back home and you guessed it! Daniella was waiting for me at the door. "I been looking all over town for you, where have you been Daniel? And why are your eyes red, are you high?" No, no I was just at the Nudie bar with Neil." She slapped the taste buds right out of my mouth after I mentioned Neil. "With who!? You know what, I been busting my ass for you, Daniel. You just can't stay away from the streets huh? I thought about signing you into rehab while you were away but no, I thought my 'Older Bro' would finally man up and act his age. You're too old for this. Plus you still have on your work clothes. I see you're still the slob you used to be." She started shedding tears. I knew she was very disappointed in me, I was disappointed in myself. I passed out again.

I wake up and I see the room cleaned out and filled trash bags everywhere. I walked out calling for Daniella but I saw Neil in the living room. "What are you doing here?" "She called me to come get you, bro." I walk around the penthouse looking for Daniella. "Daniella! Daniella! Why is Neil here!?" She opens the door angrily. "Because, since you wanna hang with him behind my back, you're gonna live with him. Take your bags and go! I'm trying to live my life here. I can't take care of you like a baby anymore. I want one of my own, not my brother. I'm moving in with my Fiancee soon, I may add." I stare at her with a blank face and she closes her door back. Neil puts his hand on my shoulder asks, "shall we load up old friend?" I was at a dead end. I absolutely did not want to move in the dunce. It seems like I had no choice.