Page 3 of Lost in Life

No matter how much shit I give him, West has never left my side. We’re a real life Bonnie and Clyde.

I can only hope our story has a better ending.

Laughter bubbles from my chest as we sprint away from the sound of sirens. West howls next to me, throwing his fist clutching the bag of cash into the air.

“Fuck yeah, baby!” He shouts, spinning in a circle. I giggle as he trips over his feet and crashes to the ground before scrambling back upright. Pointing at me, he barks around his laughter, “Not a word.”

I draw a zipper over my mouth, twisting my wrist before making a tossing motion. West’s smile grows impossibly larger at my display.

We speed up our pace as the sirens get closer. It’s not our first time pulling a robbery. Some people might say there’s a problem with it, but for us it’s just another Tuesday.

“How much do you think we got?” I call out breathlessly, pumping my arms in time with my legs in an attempt to run faster.

West shrugs, appearing effortless in his ability to outpace me. “Feels heavier than the last go ‘round. But who knows. I swear these cheap bastards hide away all the good cash now’a’days.”

I groan, reminded of the last haul that had nothing larger than twenties. “Fuck, I hope it’s good. I’ve had my eyes set on those new Chucks sneaker pumps forages.”

We round the corner and collapse against the closest brick wall, panting for breath. West recovers quicker, pushing upright and nudging my arm with his. “You want it, you got it, peanut.”

I roll my eyes at the nickname. The stupid head thought it was hilarious when he found out I was the size of a peanut when my mom told his that she was pregnant. He loves to rub in my face that he’s always been so much larger than me. Which is entirely unfair since he hassix monthson me, but whatever.

“Let’s go, loser, Mom’s expecting us.”

We take off in the direction of my house, making a quick stop to stash the cash on the way. By the time we stroll through the front door, it’s well past dinner time.

The smell of freshly baked bread and marinara waft over us as we push inside. My stomach growls loudly, a reminder I haven’t eaten yet today. West snickers at me, patting my stomach. Shoving him away, I stick my tongue out.

My mom rounds the corner, hands on her hips. “Now where exactly have you two been?” She demands, looking us both over with a tsk. “You’re both filthy, go wash up quickly before the food gets cold.”

“Yes, Mamma.” I mumble, kicking off my shoes and trudging up the stairs.

The old wood creaks loudly under my footsteps, memories of trying to sneak out as a kid filling my mind. Let’s just say I got very good at sliding down banisters by the time I was fourteen. I can hear my partner in crime dutifully following behind me.

A soft smile lifts my lips.

If there’s anyone West loves just as much as his mom, it’s my own. Because they were both single mothers, our moms really helped raise the both of us together.

Hell, I even call Mona mom.

After washing up, we clamber back downstairs, flying into the dining area. I sigh heavily as I sink into my seat. West rounds the table and places a kiss on his mom’s head. “Hey Mom.” He greets.

“Oh hey, baby.” Mona smiles up at him, grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze. Turning her smile on me, she asks, “And how are you, darling?”

I return her smile, mine strained the slightest bit as I note the darkening circles under her eyes. “Doing well, Mom. How areyou?”

Mona takes a deep breath but doesn’t reply right away. Every time I see her now she has withered away more, her sunken cheekbones deepening. Her once full figure now emaciated, swimming in her clothes that are now much too large for her thin frame.

Cancer is a bitch.

Before she can respond, my mom saunters into the room carrying a large dish. “That smellsamazing.” West enthuses. She smiles back at him, setting the ziti down before disappearing again.

Before long we are all devouring large platefuls of food. West and I shoveling the delicious pasta into our mouths as fast as humanly possible while our moms eat in a much more civilized manner. They gave up on trying to teach us to behave a long time ago.

Let’s be honest, life is more fun if you let loose and live a little.

I sneak a peek over and notice that West is almost finished with his food before me.

Can’t have that.

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