Desperate limits
Bryan sat down empty handed onceagain for the sixth day that week. His progress in work wasn’t improving, and he could feel the pressure as if you were running away from jail with guards on your back. Bryan worked as Garbage man since he didn’t go to college, and hehad a hard timeapplying for anything else. Him and his wife kept it secret from his one and only son because what kind of person would want his dad to pick up the trash as his job? Bryan was humble but legit to his wife. He loved his family very much and it hurt him to see that he was losing control. He was most concerned about his son, he wanted him to have a good education, and not become abum like him.
“Liz…I think I’m going to have to find a new job.” He said nervously to his wife. Elizabeth just sat down next to him, calmly took his hand in hers,she knew this was coming sooner or later, the thing was knowing how soon orlate.
“Don’t worry, I trust you. Something good will happen, just keep working hard. Me and Alex will love you no matter what.” This made Bryan feel even guiltier than he was before. Maybe he could find a way to get a decent job. Faking a resume perhaps? No he couldn’t do that, what would Alex think of him then.
“Hm, I’ll go to the job office tomorrow, hopefully they can help me.” Bryan went to bed that night without dinner, so Alex could. He dreamt of working at a big CEO, making millions, providing for his family what he never had. But that was all he could do, dream. The next morning while getting ready for work, which wasn’t much really, just a shirt and pants,Bryan heard the T.V. and saw Alex watching the news on a man taking hostages at a bank. ‘A robbery…’he thought. Bryan got out and started walking to work, to save money on gas, not that he rode his car to work much anymore either.His usual routine wasgo to a storeand get his breakfast, the usual power bar and maybe a Diet Coke. While hewas payin for his quick breakfast he looked up to the T.V. hanging from the wall, and saw that it was tuned with the same channel as the robbery. It didn’t interest him enough, all he could think of right now was if a garbage man could get overtime hours.After a 3 mile walk, and two buses he arived at thelandfill. He got on the truck and went through hisusual day, house to house, can to can, smell to smell, not that he could smell much anymore though. His mind was so acostumed with the smell of the putrifying waste that the sickening odors went right by Bryan without even making him gag.And as the day came the day went, and Bryan walked back to his shabby house.
“Good afternoon Bryan, how was work. Did you go to the Job Office?” His wife said while inviting him in.
“I didn’t, sorry. I had to do some other stuff.” ‘What stuff?’ he thought.
“Bryan…Alex was still hungry after he ate dinner…You need to do something. I can’t work too much overtime in a restaurant.”
‘Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, you have to think fast’ He thought. This night Bryan went to sleep with an emerging idea in his almost-bald head.
When Bryan woke up the next dayhe began his day as usual, butthe idea was fresh in his mind. Before leaving he snuck something in his pocket, then he put on his "uniform" and walked out the door. He seemed calm as he walked in for his breakfast. He decided to get a Nature Valley bar and Mountain Dew this time, change is good once in a while. The cashier greeted him and Bryan smiled back. Bryan seemed to look up at the T.V. as he usually did, but he was keeping an eye on the register. Bing! The register opened up as Bryan took something out of his pocket.
Time seemed to go slow, but his mind raced even faster than time itself.Bryan screamed with a shamefultear running down his face, “Gimme the money!” The cashier knew Bryan well, and saw that he was crying.
“Bryan, what are you doing?”
“Shut up! Just put the money in a bag or I’ll stick this in your head!” Bryan took out the knife from his pocket
“Why are you doing this Bryan? Your an honest guy.” he said more alarmingly.
“Because it's money that keeps us alive. It doesnt matter why im doing it, the thing is that I am, and thats all that you people see. Just be quiet, your talk show isn’t working.”
The cashier threwall the money into a plastic bag, and before handing it to Bryan he said a few words.
“I’m not going to call the police. I want you to see what you have been lowered to; your son would be ashamed. But I know you’re anoble person.” Bryanscrambled out sobbing to his work, and he put the bag in his pocket. This time he saw each house, the cans seemed all different, and he was disgusted by the mix of horrible smells.
He arrived back home with a smile, he gave his wife a hug.
“What are you so happy about?”
“I got a new job Liz! I’m an electrician now!” ‘Another white lie won’t hurt anybody.’ He thought to himself. Even thought he was happy, there was a part of him in his head hiding in a corner, ashamed of looking at anyone in the eyes. This night he went to bed going through the possibilities for tomorrow; theworries for his family were no longer in his mind.
The next morning while Bryan was getting ready for work, 5 year-old Alex ran up to him and gave him a hug.
“Daddy, I made this picture for you.” Alex handed him a paper of three people drawn as stick figures, grass with worn out green marker, and a sun. Bryan smiled andputthe picturehis right pocket.
“I see, I think I’m going to need to get you new pencils to draw with, the ones you have can’t take much more of your artistic abilities. How about it Alex?” Bryan said to his son with an air of acomplishment.
Alex replied to him, “Its ok dad, you don’t have to.” Alex was a mature boy andknew money was important for his family, he didn’t want to ask for anything, but his eyes were still sparkling with hope.
“Don’t worry, we can afford them.”His dad smiled back at him. Alex was so happy he ran to his mom and told her with a big grin on his face. Lizzie looked up at his husband and smiled.
‘I can’t go for something big because they might have a lot of security. Let’s go to a gas store.’
When Bryan entered the cashier saw him put his hand in his pocket nervously. He followed him while he looked at candy. But the employeehad dealt with this before, and he saw how Bryan’s eyes nervouslyflickered back and forth to the register. Immediately he called security, but for the man about to make his move it was just a phone call. Bryan picked out a Sobe energy drink and approached the man waiting for him.
“Hi, will this be all?”
“Um…actually one more thing” He took out a knife from his left pocket and threatened the man.
“Gimme the money!” he said with this time more confidence, knowing that if he succeeded he could make his son happy.
“You picked the wrong place to rob.” The cashier said to gain time while the police got there.
“What are you talking about, just give me the money!”
“What’s it for? You want a new car? Maybe get a new shiny gun. All of you are the same, filthy and arrogant.The only thingyou care for is youself.” The cashier spat at him. Bryan's eyes were filled with sheer madness, but he wasn’t a man that would kill, he just wanted money to feed his family, and buy some colored pencils for his son.
“Look outside you rat, the police is here. You might as well give in.” Bryan started to sweat.
“Don’t talk that way to your boss.” In a near by police station the news had come about a robbery in a gas station, and they were sending their new recruit to deal with it. The new Police man proudly went inside his car with his new suit and new gun ready for some excitement. Even though Michael liked his job he was still frighted easily,which resultedin decisions made onimpulse. Michael always prayed, this time he prayed that he could go back home safely and impress his kids. His family meant so much for him. Back home his wife and two kids were waiting for him never expecting anything bad to happen to him, since he was their dad. Nothing could happen to him this day he thought. And nothing did, but those were the same thoughts of someone like him, just less fortunate.
Bryan turned around, and like the man said there was a police car right outside the store’s door. He put his knife back in his left pocket and headed for the door. The automatic door opened and the police man came out of his car, gun cocked, ready for some excitement.
“Watch out! He has a weapon in one of his pockets!” The cashier yelled at the police man.
Knowing what had just happened Bryanstood there. He knew he was going to jail. He knew what would become of his family. He knew what his son would remember him for. He accepted the consequences, and knew it was over for him.He closed his eyes and reached for Alex’s picture in his left pocket.
“Watch out! He has a weapon in one of his pockets!” Michael nodded at the man from the shop in gratitude and turned for the robber.
“Put your hands in the air!” His first mission was going well; he might not even have to use his gun at all! At that moment he saw the man reach for his left pocket. Michael didn’t know if the man had a gun in his pocket or not, you never know what thesekind of peopleare capable of. The man took his hand out of his pocket. Frantic, Michaels impulse kicked in. He pulled the trigger. Michael realizedwhat he had donewhile the man fell back. Finally, after the shock was gone, Michael went up to the limp body and investigated his hand. Wrinkled in the dead man's gripthere was acolorful drawingof stick men in a grassy background. The grass was stained with blood, andon the corner was some very messy writing. It said ‘To the most wonderful daddy anyone could ask for.’
This day Bryan went to sleep to never wake up again.
The end
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