Roads Leading Back

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I actually finished this chapter the same day I uploaded the last one, but I didn't want to update it too quickly. In an instance like this, I prefer to let the latest chapter simmer a little, so everyone gets a chance to read it and I don't throw anything onto a reader too quickly. In any event, enjoy the story, and always remember: Reviews and constructive criticism are always welcome and appreciated!


Roads Leading Back
Chapter Five: Boulevards of Sacrifice, Part II


The ring of the doorbell sounded throughout the house, followed immediately by the loud barking of a dog. James looked up from his computer and lowered his glasses over his nose, staring at the eye-level panes of glass on the door. He grinned and got up to open the door when more barking and the thudding of heavy footsteps came from the stairs.

“Relax, guys. It’s only Mom,” James said as the three dogs started pawing at the door. He managed to shoo the two larger dogs away from the door as he unlocked and opened it, and his mother walked in with her Collie. Immediately, the four dogs started jumping and yelping, as if glad to see one another.

“All right, you yahoos, into the backyard. The last thing I want is to see the four of you tearing the place apart.”

The Great Dane barked in reply and made a beeline for the kitchen and the open backyard door. The Husky yelped and followed the Great Dane, James’ final dog, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, followed alongside the Collie into the backyard.

“Hey, Mom,” he said, giving his mother a hug.

“What’s up, Jimmy?”

He shrugged. “Nothing new,” he replied with a grin as he led his mother into the kitchen. “What about you?”

She pressed her lips into a thin smile. “The same as always, Jimmy. I’m just trying to make do these days with only one working eye.”

His expression darkened. “I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice.

“Jimmy, don’t worry yourself. You did what you could.”

He shook his head. “I know, Mom. It’s just…I hate that I helped, only to end up doing hard time. That’s something I won’t forget, even though nothing really happened there.”

His mother frowned and cupped his cheek. “James, bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people, Lord knows why. All I know for sure is that eventually, things work out. Like right now, for example. Harold’s trial is coming up, and you’re making six figures sitting at home in front of your computer.” She laughed. “Eventually good things will happen to good people, and bad people will get what they deserve.”

He smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”

“I was never around when you needed me back then, I figure I can try to make up for it now,” she replied. “Is there anything you need to do before we go?”

“I’m just waiting for Mitch to come in so he can watch over the dogs.” He looked out at the backyard to see his Great Dane frolicking with her Collie. “Sometimes I think Hunter likes Mitch more than me.”

His mother laughed. “That’s probably because you don’t feed him as much as Mitch does. Your friend spoils that mutt rotten.”

He laughed. “That would explain why half a bag of the food is missing when I come home. Sometimes I wonder if he eats the stuff, too.”

“I heard that,” Mitch said in a warning tone as he leaned on the doorway. “I do my best to look out after your pups, and that’s the thanks I get? You claim I help myself to that dry dog food?” He narrowed his eyes and smiled evilly. “Watch those steaks you have in the freezer mysteriously disappear.”

“Oh!” James immediately jogged to the freezer and took out several vacuum-sealed T-bone steaks. He plopped them into the smaller section of his sink and began to fill it with hot water. “I forgot to take them out this morning. Thanks for reminding me.”

“As long as I’m staying for dinner,” Mitch said with a wink.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, buddy,” James said with an evil chuckle. He looked out the window. “Hey, Hunter!” He whistled a tune, and immediately the Great Dane looked up and bounded into the kitchen.

“Oh, Jay, no!” Mitch said in a rising tone as Hunter the Great Dane locked eyes with Mitch. In seconds, the dog had Mitch on the floor and was licking his face gleefully.

“Jay, I swear to God, I’ll have your ass back in jail for this!” He managed to threaten.

James and his mother laughed. “What? Can’t my dog just tell you how much he loves your company?”

“Oh, just you wait until I get my new SUV, then I’ll let it show you how much it loves you.” He managed to get his hands on Hunter’s leash. “Come on, you big galoot, get offa me!” He pried the affectionate dog off him and managed to stand. “Get your chew toy and we’ll play a few rounds of fetch, huh?”

Hunter barked loudly in reply and ran into the backyard.

“Damn dog,” Mitch muttered.

“We shouldn’t be gone too long,” James said. “We’ll probably be back by about six. I’ve got to head to the bank after her appointment. The steaks should be thawed by then and you can stay for dinner.”

“Good,” Mitch said, washing his face at the sink. “After what I go through taking care of your terrors, I deserve a good meal.”

James and his mother laughed out loud as Mitch dried his face with a tea towel.


* * * * *


“Omi, you didn’t have to accompany us to the bank.”

“On the contrary, Jennifer, with that much money, the bankers are going to know where you got that from.” He grinned. “That, and I personally want to make sure an amount like that is safely taken care of.”

She smiled. “You sound like you care more for my money than you do about my well-being.”

He laughed out loud, a sound that she had never heard before. It was deep and powerful, yet comforting at the same time. “They say that money makes the world go round, Jennifer, but I believe that the saying is wrong. People are what makes the world go round, money is just the carrot on the end of the plunger on their head.”

“Mister Cronus, it’s been a while.”

“Indeed,” he said to the banker. “There is a woman here in need of a safe deposit box.”

“More damsels in distress?”

Omi narrowed his eyes. “Now, Randy, you know I don’t like jabs to my occupation or my lifestyle.”

The banker calmly raised a palm in deference. “I meant it in the nicest way possible, Mister Cronus. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for my wife.”

Jennifer and Erica looked up at him. “His wife?”

“Her name is Allison,” Sylvia said from behind them. “She used to be one of our girls until she realized that she couldn’t work in Omi’s business.” Sylvia grinned as Omi chuckled. “She was afraid to tell Omi about it at first, because she thought he’d have her taken care of, so to speak.”

“But…?”

“Tina told me of her problem, and I told Allison that it was fine. Like yourself, I gave her enough to get on her feet.” Omi looked at the banker. “I take it she’s finished Teacher’s College?”

The banker nodded. “She works in a high school now.”

Omi smiled sincerely. “That’s excellent. And when will you be expecting your second child?”

“In three months,” the banker said, his voice trailing off. “How did you…?”

“She informed me some time ago.” He offered a hand to Jennifer. “Jennifer here is expecting soon herself.”

Randolph smiled sincerely. “Congratulations.” He produced an application form. “If you would please fill this out…”


* * * * *


“I’m glad that the doctor said that you don’t have any more problems,” James said. “I thought there would be much worse things than you being blind in one eye.”

Victoria smiled. “I’m glad, too, Jimmy. Athena will be able to help me when I’m out on the street, so I don’t have to worry too much anymore.”

“She’s a good dog,” Jimmy said. “Maybe I should consider getting a Collie…”

“You already have three dogs,” his mother said, slapping him playfully on his shoulder. “And Hunter is enough of a problem as it is. If Rascal and Tracker were just as bad…”

“Oh, Mother, you know that the boys are just overly playful,” he said as the line slowly moved forward. “You’re just mad because Athena likes the boys more than she likes you.”

“Mitch is right,” she said jokingly and slapping him in the shoulder again. “You really are an asshole.”

“Only to people I like, Mom, only to people I like.”

“Huh.”

James looked confused. “What?”

“That’s too many people for a simple banking transaction,” she said, pointing at a trenchcoat-clad man and three women. One of the women was tall with short brown hair and also dressed in a trenchcoat. Another woman was young and lean with brown hair with highlights, and the last was heavy with child.

James frowned. “I don’t like the look of this.”

“Neither do I,” his mother said.

Their reverie was broken by the sound of the doors being kicked open, followed immediately by the clicking of a gun being brandished.

“Everybody, get down on the floor and put your hands on your head! This is a motherfucking stick-up!”


* * * * *


“Hurry up! Everybody face down on the floor and hands on the back of your head!”

The robber leveled the gun every which way. “Do it!”

Slowly but surely, all the bank patrons laid face down on the floor and put their hands to their heads.

“Oh God, oh God,” Jennifer panted, tears in her eyes.

“Jennifer,” Omi whispered. “You have to stay calm. Please, Jennifer, stay calm.”

“Just take it easy, Jenny,” Erica whispered. “You have to keep calm for the baby.”

“Shut up!” The robber shouted as he made his way to the counter. “Hurry up, fill the damn bag.”

“Sir…”

The clicking of the hammer ended the argument. “Don’t fucking argue with me, man. Just fill up the bag with whatever money you can get your goddamned hands on.”

Randolph nodded slowly and took the cloth bag, opening his register and filling it up with money.

The robber waved the gun frantically. “Fucking hurry up, dammit!”

“Sir, the cops are already on their way…”

A gunshot silenced the argument, and people began to scream as debris from the ceiling fell to the floor.

“Just shut the fuck up and fill up the bag!”

“Oh God, oh God…” Jennifer continued to pant. Her expression suddenly went pale. “Oh no, oh no!”

“What?” Erica asked. “You’re not…”

Jennifer nodded mutely.

“Somebody call an ambulance! She’s going into labor!”

“Shut the fuck up!” He looked down and pointed the gun towards the person screaming. Immediately, his eyes glazed over in recognition. “…Erica?”

Erica’s face went pale. “No…” Tears filled her eyes. “…Papa.”

“Somebody call an ambulance!” Omi shouted. “This woman in going into labor!”

“Sh-sh-shut up!” There was another gunshot, and Omi growled in pain.

“Omi!”

“Shut up!” He looked to the banker. “Don’t look at the bastard! Fill up the goddamned bag!”

“I’ll be fine, Syl,” Omi said through clenched teeth. "He didn’t shoot me. He shot the floor in front of me and some of the debris cut my face.” He slowly reached down to his trenchcoat pocket as the robber kept an eye on the banker. “Erica, here’s my cellphone. Call nine-one-one right away. Jennifer needs help right now.”

Without a thought, Omi got on all fours and slowly stood up, his hands in the air, one hand bare, the other covered in metal with hooked talons at the fingertips. “Allans, what you’re doing is stupid. You’ve done enough.”

The robber pointed the gun at Omi. “Get back on the fucking floor, man! I’ll fucking shoot you!”

Omi grinned mercilessly as blood from several cuts on the left side of face trickled down his cheek. “You’ve already fired twice. Both missed, though one did make me bleed.” He took one careful step closer. “You’re not quick enough to fire one more time.”

The robber shook his head frantically. “I’m fucking serious, man! I’m fucking serious! I will gun you down!”

Sylvia took a close look at the robber and realized the reason for Omi’s audacity. She got to her feet casually. “No, you won’t.”

As soon as the robber pointed the gun at Sylvia, there was a sudden flurry of movement, followed immediately by the sound of snapping leather. Omi yanked his whip arm back, dragging the stricken bank robber towards him, driving his knee up into the burglar’s gut as soon as he got close.

“You make me sick,” he whispered into the robber’s ear. “You’re a poor excuse for a father, and you aren’t any good as a bank robber.”

The prone body of Jennifer’s father slumped onto the floor, unconscious, as an empty bottle of whiskey fell from the folds of his jacket and police and paramedics came storming in.

“Over here!” Omi called out. “This lady needs help first! She’s going into labor!”

The paramedics managed to lift her into a wheeled stretcher and roll it out of the bank and into an ambulance, Omi, Sylvia and Erica close behind.

“Just hang in there, Jenny!” Erica called out so that everyone in the bank could hear. “You and the baby are going to be all right!”

=[ End of Chapter Five: Boulevards of Sacrifice, Pt. II ]=


A/N: On to personal kudos...

cade: Finally someone sees Omi's character for who he really is! ^_^ J/K. I do agree that raising a child in an environment like that isn't exactly appropriate, which is why she wanted to leave. And James doesn't want to give up on Jennifer, though there are a lot of things around him telling him to move on in life. Whether or not he gives up on Jenny, only the story will tell...

born_to_do_it: ...Thanks? ^.^ And yes, the decision was made for the best interests of the four of them (Jenny, Erica, Omi, and Expecting). Though, with the advent of this chapter, who knows what might happen?

That's all for now, readers. See you at the next chapter!