A small favour

"Wait, when can we start?" Cooper asked, leaning closer to us on the table.

"Just come tomorrow."

"I should go, I need some sleep," I said, getting up.

"No, sit and eat." My sister pushed me back to the booth.

"Ok mom, you know that it's normally the older sibling that looks out for the younger."

"Well, in our world, we look out for each other," Jenna said, skating away.

Cooper gave me a look as I stuffed fries in my mouth.

"You want some?" I asked after swallowing.

"No, I just want to warn you. Don't do anything stupid."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I mean, no of us want those types of problems anymore."

"I won't, so just relax." I wiped my mouth and got up.

I know said I wouldn't, but I have no other option. This thing called life makes even the nicest person do mess up things.

I crossed the road, not evening looking out for oncoming traffic, because I had only one thing on my mind.

I entered the apartment building, where men were out either gambling or smoking. The few females gave me distasteful looks while watching to see where I was going.

I knocked three times, in the rhythmic pattern I haven't used in a long time.

"Well, if it isn't Bonnie." The man said, opening the door.

"That's not my name."

"Could have fooled me."

"I need a favour."

"No."

He tried to close the door, but I stick my foot out to stop him.

"You opened the door for me."

"I didn't know it was you."

"I looked through the peephole."

"What do you want? You have 10 seconds to plead your case."

“40-50 grand."

“40-50 grand?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Dude, please? I am in desperate need."

"Were you desperate when you took that plead bargain?"

"I- ugh. I didn't take it, they lied. They only let me off with a slap on the wrist because somebody paid them off."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I'm telling the truth. You know me, and you know the situation I'm in. It's not just for me."

"And how will you pay me back?"

"I'm working at the same diner with Jenna."

"Diner? Thought you said you would never."

"Circumstances."

He scoffed.

"I'll give you the money, but you have a month to pay me back."

"A month? That is not enough time."

"You want the money or not?"

"Yeah."

"Get in."

I followed him inside.

"I'll extend the time, a month and a week."

"O-ok."

"25k, that's what I can help you with." He said, removing two floorboards to take out the cash.

He stuffed it all in a pack bag and handed it to me.

"There, just know that when the time is close, you will be seeing me around."

"Thank you."

"Leave.''

I placed the bag across my shoulder, then made my way out the back entrance because I know how the people down the stairs can get.

As soon as I was home, I threw the money out on the floor, thinking of how I was going to make it work.

It wasn't enough, not even close to covering all the things I wanted it for.

But I knew what to do if I can pay the rent. I can use what was left to pay for the medical bill.

I went to the first floor, and around the back where I kicked Martin's door several times.

"Do you have my money?" He asked, peeping through the window.

"Yes."

"He laughed, and where did you get the money? Robbed a bank?"

"Don't worry about that, I have your damn money, and two months' rent in advance to keep you off my ass for a while, 15k, all there. Plus 700 dollars."

Martin scoffed, "once a criminal as a criminal."

I held onto the cash while he was trying to pull it out of my hand.

"Keep talking shit and it won't go well for you. It doesn't take much for me to go back down that road."

I could see Martin's Adam's apple bobbing as he gulped.

I ran my hand through my hair, then went back up to my apartment. Promising that I would go to the hospital first thing in the morning.

But for now, I had to hide the money as best as I could see that my sister didn't ask questions when she got home.

And it wasn't a minute too soon, because she knocked on the door before sliding it open, because I forgot to push the screwdriver in.

"What are you up to?" She asked.

"Nothing, just thinking about my situation."

"Right, seems to me you are hiding something."

How does she do that?

"No, I'm just stressed. I am the older sibling and I can't even take care of myself."

"Sis, it's fine don't have to worry about me."

"Jen, you are 19 and I'm 23. I have to worry."

"You don't. You are 23 and I am 19. You are both still young and have our entire life ahead of us. We do not know what tomorrow can bring."

"No, we don't," I said, knowing that that saying went for me, mostly.

"I should go get some rest, this entire day had me stressed."

"Yeah, you do that. But don't worry so much. Ok?"

"Yes, see you in the morning."

It wasn't even 5 pm yet, but I knew I won't get any sleep for the night.

My mind was running a mile per hour. I have done something I said I would never do again, but I had no choice.

And now I might have to do a different type of work to pay back the money I just borrowed.

"What am I going to do?" I groaned.