What The Heart Wants

“You’re putting something out there alright, and it ain’t positive energy.” Nick sighed regretting that he’d opened his mouth. He knew how personal Jackson took challenges. There was never a bet that he’d turn down. He was grateful that he wasn’t a degenerate gambler.

“You worry too much.” Jackson slapped Nick on the shoulder. The men stood, dropped a few dollars on the table, and walked out of the diner. The car was a few feet away from them, just out of sight from the huge diner window. They were tempting fate trying to boost this car in the height of morning rush hour.

Jackson’s blood started pumping as he gave Nick a fist bump and the two went their separate ways. The car wasn’t brand new, but it wasn’t old either. The Toyota Corolla was neither of their styles and was a waste of time to steal. Jackson couldn’t let this opportunity go by. He walked down the street and around the corner to give him some time in case anybody saw them by the car. A few minutes later, Jackson was running at full speed, pulling his mask over his face. It took him less than a minute to pop the lock and kill the alarm. He started the car and pulled out of the spot out into morning traffic. He listened out for the sirens behind him but there were none. Fortunately for him, no one readily cared about someone taking a Toyota Corolla… well, no one except the owner of the car. He couldn’t believe he’d gotten away with taking the car.

Nick was shaking his head as Jackson drove the stolen car onto the lot behind the chop shop. Jackson was smiling ear to ear when he got out of the car.

“So, is there any chatter over the air about this?” Jackson asked, panting. The adrenaline from the theft was still pumping through him.

“Nope, you got away with it. So, now what are you going to do with this sh*t?” Nick walked around the car utterly disappointed that it was there with them.

“I’m going to bring it back,” Jackson admitted. Nick thought his friend had finally lost his mind.

“What?!” Nick shockingly shouted. “You went through all of that to bring it back? The least you can do is send it to Juan’s guy for parts. We can get a little bread for it.”

Jackson shook his head. “Look in the back seat man.”

Nick peered through the car’s window to see two baby car seats behind the driver and passenger side chairs. He slapped his forehead. “Don’t tell me you feel bad?”

“Listen, we do this to people who we know won’t bat an eyelash about buying another Beemer or Maserati. That car is a symbol of a hard working parent, or nanny, or caretaker who has to chauffeur around two babies in that beat-down Corolla. It took me less than a minute to crack into that thing. I gotta bring it back to that spot or that neighborhood at least,” Jackson reasoned.

“Well, I’ll be damned, you’re motherfu*king Robin Hood,” Nick scoffed. “If you ain’t get pinched taking it, you’ll damn sure get booked bringing it back. I told you you shouldn’t have taken that car!”

“Relax, I’ll bring it back and be back in time for the job tonight,” Jackson said, popping the hood of the Corolla. He began tinkering around with a few things. Nick couldn’t help but think it was time for his friend to take a break from this life.

“What are you doing now?” Nick asked.

“I’m going to give this thing a quick tune up, change the oil and the brakes, and then bring it back,” Jackson said.

Nick stared on disbelief. “You’re insane.”