Page 102 of Dick

I turned around, paused, and glanced over my shoulder. “Why do you say that?”

“He’ll be the one telling someone a story. To whoever listens.”

I grinned at her response and walked along the main aisle toward the sign suspended from the ceiling that said electronics.

When I reached the sign, I turned to the right. A middle-aged Hispanic man stood twenty feet away telling two young employees a tale. I faked interest in a row of wall receptacles and waited for him to finish. After a few minutes, he excused himself from the conversation, explaining to the workers that he needed to help me.

“Is there something in particular you’re looking for?”

According to the paperwork Dick got in the robbery from his father’s home, Mr. Gonzalez lost his entire retirement – close to $400,000. Depending on how he would have invested it, it may have accrued another $150,000 in interest – or more – over the last 8 years.

His nametag said Ray. I asked anyway. “Raymond Gonzalez?”

He looked like any other middle-aged Hispanic man. He was tan, had black hair that was starting to turn gray, and inviting brown eyes. With a nod and a cheery smile, he responded. “I’m Ray.”

I glanced over each shoulder and after seeing no one, pulled the pack off my shoulders.

“I’m going to make this quick, and them I’m going to go.”

He returned a worried look. “Okay.”

“You lost roughly $400,000 in 2008? Your entire retirement plan?”

He nodded, and along with the acknowledgement, came a rush of emotion. Before I was able to say another word, he was overcome, and his lip began to quiver.

“I uhhm…I…Yeah. I…uhhm.”

“I’m sorry it happened to you, but it’s all gonna get better when you take this bag.” I glanced over my shoulders again. “There are two gold bars in it, and each one is worth roughly $500,000. It’s my gift to you.”

He looked like he wanted to trust me, but I fully understood his reluctance. “Who are you?”

I wanted to tell him about Dick, and how we robbed rich assholes and drug dealers and gave the money to people who we felt needed it. But. I knew I couldn’t, so I simply offered a shrug and the response that I had learned was best.

“Just some girl.” I said.

He unzipped the bag and peered inside. His eyes met mine and went wide.

I nodded and fought not to cry.

“I can take this?”

“You can.”

“You have no idea…” He paused, incapable of continuing.

A tear rolled down his cheek.

I waved and turned around.

As I walked to the parking lot, a tear escaped my eye.

I got in the car, turned toward Dick, and wiped the tears from my face. “You were right.”

“How so?”

“It feels so good,” I said. “And the look on his face? I just…”

“Good shit, huh?”

I nodded and fought against the tears. “I love you.”

“Love you, Baby.”

I shifted the car into reverse and paused for a moment. I knew my life would never be the same. I’d always be looking over my shoulder and living in a manner that wouldn’t allow me many true friends. I had Dick in my life, and I didn’t need anyone else. The risk was too high.

And I wasn’t in the risk taking business.

I was a criminal and an asshole.

And I was good at being both.