The Prank

The Prank

My entire world might be crumbling because of one moment of adventure. My partner in crime is as cool as the proverbial cucumber--all smug in the passenger seat, with the stolen goods in his lap.

"How can you be so calm, Everett?"

"They don't suspect a thing." He pats the box.

"Not yet. But they will in the morning. And then--"

"Be long gone by then, sweet cheeks. Long gone."

We did something silly earlier in the evening. But, as Everett explained earlier, it was actually a prank, not a crime. However, he doesn't know these people like I do.

"Don't call me sweet cheeks!"

"Yes, ma'am." Everett salutes. "Just trying to lighten things up, Amelia."

Everett is a cop; he knows the law. But what if he's wrong? There would be hell to pay.

"We're not talking about a capital offense, Amelia. No gas chamber or lethal injection or hanging by the neck until--"

"Shut up!"

We drive on in silence. I keep checking the rearview mirror.

"They're not following us, sweet...Amelia."

"Just shut up, Everett!"

"I could go for a cup of coffee," he says.

"That's not even funny!" I smack his arm.

Everett's world won't crumble, mine will. I turned 18 last week and got my dad's lecture about being a responsible adult. "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah..."

"My parents expect better of me, Everett. I don't know what they'll do."

"Come on! They're not in the Mafia. Or are they?" he says and then laughs.

I smack his arm again.

"My father wouldn't have bought them if he hadn't thought that--"

"They can be replaced!"

"It's theft, Everett! Theft!"

"It's donuts, Amelia. Donuts!"