The gun trembled in Clyde's hand as he stared at the convenience store clerk stuffing cash into his backpack. The fluorescent lights buzzing louder than the panic in his chest--three hours ago, he’d been googling 'brain tumor survival rates,' and now he was robbing a store for the sixth time with Jonnie outside waiting in the getaway van.
"Hurry up! Put all of it in the bag," Clyde demanded of the clerk from under his Barack Obama mask, barely able to keep his nerves in check. Clyde knew the clerk had hit the panic button the moment he pulled out his gun.
He was running out of time.
Clyde reached over the counter, losing patience, gun pointed at the clerk, and grabbed the bag filled with cash.
He hurried out to the white van and jumped in. Jonnie, wearing a matching Barack Obama mask, sped off into the otherwise quiet streets of East Village.
He nonchalantly turned onto Third Avenue about a block down the street, careful not to draw attention to them. He wanted to put as much distance between them and the convenience store as possible. Repeatedly looking out the rear-view mirror, relieved that they weren't being pursued.
They drove about forty minutes out of the city until they arrived in Mount Vernon. Jonnie pulled up to the rental place where they'd rented the van, still on edge. He parked the van messily in the return area. He pulled off his mask, gasping for breath, and Clyde did the same, both gulping for fresh air.
Clyde turned to Jonnie, smiled, panting, and pulled him into a hard kiss.
"I love you so much!" Clyde said, swimming in the adrenaline.
"I love you too," Jonnie replied, taking steady breaths through the high--in through the nose, out through the mouth.
Jonnie handed Clyde his mask, and Clyde stuffed them into the backpack filled with loose bills.
They exited the van. Jonnie hurried to the rear and removed the fake license plate. He walked around the van and handed it to Clyde, who put it in the backpack.
Clyde was a bulky guy with blond hair and piercing milk-chocolate-colored eyes. He had a scar under his right eye and wore a nondescript t-shirt with a pull-over hoodie and jeans. Jonnie was slim and more intelligent than your average bear with a long torso and even longer arms. He, too, was dressed in a nondescript t-shirt with a deep red pullover hoodie and ripped jeans.
"How much do you think we got?" Jonnie asked as they started for their car on the opposite side of the lot, hand in hand.
"Hopefully, enough to keep us ahead while you're in treatment. How are you feeling by the way?" Clyde asked, squeezing Jonnie's hand to get his attention.
"I'm fine. A little light-headed, but likely from the adrenaline and not what's left of the tumors. It ain't easy being criminals," Jonnie laughed.
"This isn't getting any easier, is it?" Clyde admitted. "I'm still on edge, but glad we made it out in one piece."
"No...it really isn't. Maybe we should quit while we're ahead?" Jonnie suggested.
"We're not ahead, though. What other choice do we have?"
"We always have a choice."
"Maybe, but right now this is our best chance at staying ahead. You said it yourself, you'd hate for me to be in debt after you're gone and I would do anything to keep you as long as I can. We agreed on this."
Jonnie and Clyde got into their Shadow Black Mustang GT Fastback. Clyde drove them back into the city, taking a different route than what they took out of the city.
When they arrived at their building in Soho, they walked up to their apartment hand in hand. They'd been together for years. Even now, Clyde found it challenging to keep his eyes off Jonnie. Even as he unlocked the door and allowed Jonnie to walk through he watched Jonnie with love and affection.
They stepped into the living room, where Clyde emptied the backpack's contents on the glass-topped coffee table they got from Ikea years ago.
Jonnie cleared away their masks, the gun, and the license plate, and they started counting.
"Eleven hundred and twenty-eight dollars--that's it?" Clyde said after they had finished.
"Not bad for a convenience store," Jonnie said. "Though we definitely made more the first couple of times."
"I guess, but this isn't going to even be enough to cover your next treatment, let alone buy us enough time before we have to do this all over again."
"This isn't the end of the road. We still have time."
"Sure, but all we're doing is stealing time. After your surgery and initial chemotherapy, the doctor says one thing, but really, who knows how much time we have until...Hitting convenience stores just isn't cutting it."
"I know. We're on borrowed time, but we have brought in an extra nine grand on top of our regular income. That's not too shabby. Maybe we could find another way to make all of this work?"
"You're right, it's not bad, but we're still behind. What will we do when the next bill comes due?"
"What else are we supposed to do?" Jonnie asked, unsure himself. "We either hit up another convenience store or figure something else out. It's not like we could rob a bank. Just the two of us? Or get real jobs?"
"No, you're right. We need to figure something else out. Getting real jobs won't cut it, either. We wouldn't have much time together. I don't want your last days spent working to die. That's not what we agreed upon."
"I know, I know. I was just...what else can we do? Even if it means buying another handful of months?" Jonnie asked.
"I'm tired of feeling like we're racing against the clock. No matter what we do, the ending will be the same--you'll leave me and I'll be left to carry the pieces.
"I know you said you want me to mourn you for as little as possible and be open to finding love again. But the reality is, when you leave me, I could never love someone as I have loved you. Impossible.
"Even if it means we only get another handful of months together, there has to be a place we could hit that would get us ahead for real this time. One last place we could get the money we need so we can spend the rest of your time living and not just surviving."
"One last heist?" Jonnie considered. "Okay, well, how about a pawn shop?" Jonnie suggested.
"No, that would be high-risk, low reward at best. We could try a grocery store?"
"No, too many factors to account for--we'd get caught."
"Yeah, you're probably right."
Jonnie and Clyde sat in silence for a minute. The bills they had counted were stacked and bound by their denomination on the coffee table.
Despite being together for well over a decade, Jonnie and Clyde couldn't be more different.
Jonnie was a natural-born intellect who always aimed to tell the truth or, at the least, not lie. He'd been raised in a middle-class family in Upstate New York and never had to struggle like Clyde. His youth hadn't been a cakewalk. Though, as far as Jonnie could recall, he never wanted for anything.
Clyde, constrastally, lost his parents at a very young age and, as a result, had been raised by his widowed grandmother for as long as he could remember. She had done the best she could for him, but it simply hadn't been enough. Clyde turned to the streets for his education. That's how he met Lola, the drag queen, and the gang. But when he met Jonnie, he had sworn to put that life behind him. The violence, the drugs, the money--the constant looking over your shoulder.
But the day Jonnie received the news of his grade four brain tumors, everything had changed. Suddenly, Clyde felt re-entering a life of crime was the only way he could give Jonnie a little more life.
"What about a boutique jeweler?" Clyde suggested after a while.
He got up from the floor and headed into the kitchen to grab his MacBook. When he returned to the coffee table, he opened it and started typing and clicking with his brows furrowed deep in thought.
"Look," he said, turning the MacBook's screen to Jonnie. "There are dozens of boutique jewelers in Manhattan we could target. If we remove the high-end ones since they likely have high security, we're left with these," he said, pointing to several boutiques remaining on the map he'd pulled up.
"A boutique jeweler? How would that work?"
"I was thinking gold coins," Clyde admitted. "With the price of gold, all we'd need is seven one-ounce coins to make about an extra twenty thousand. I know a drag queen named Lola at the Kent Avenue dive bar who would love to get her hands on some gold. We might lose a thousand or so in the transaction, but I know she has the cash to burn. That would be more than enough to cover your remaining treatments."
"Do you really think we could get away with this? We'd have to case a target and execute the heist all before my next treatment. You know the therapy zaps me and leaves me out of commission for days."
"The day after next, we'll hit them. What choice do we have?"
"...what about Reinstein Ross?" Jonnie suggested, pointing to the shop on the map, located in the Upper East Side. "The neighborhood is posh, and it's a smaller boutique. It's possible security wouldn't be so tight."
Clyde nodded, turned his MacBook back around, and started typing and clicking as he did a little more research on their potential target.
"Right, okay. This could work. They are a smaller boutique with no guards. They usually have one person working, and it's low-traffic considering the clientele they target. They have CCTV, a basic alarm system, and a buzzer entry. We'd just need to find out if they carry one-ounce gold coins and determine points of entry and exit," said Clyde after a few minutes of browsing.
"Okay, so we'll case the joint tomorrow and find out what we can."
"No better place to start than that. You'll go in, and I'll check the surrounding area for an alternative way in, like a side entrance or something."
"I can do that. I don't see how this could be any more difficult than robbing a convenience store," Jonnie said. "We've gotten a lot of practice with that."
"Exactly."
The next day, dressed in a tailored blazer, scarf, and disarming grin, Jonnie walked up to the Reinstein Ross boutique. He had to wait to be buzzed in, as expected.
"Welcome to Reinstein Ross. My name is Todd. What can I help you with today?" a stout gentleman in a fine, tailored dark-green pinstriped suit, and textured tie said from behind the glass counter filled with various jewelry pieces.
Jonnie walked nonchalantly up to the counter.
"I'm shopping for a ring, and I have no idea what I'm looking for," he said.
"Oh, wonderful, who's the special lady?"
"It's for my boyfriend. We've been together for fourteen years, and I think we're long overdue for an engagement."
"He must be a very special guy. I have a few in mind. Would you like me to show them to you?"
"Sure."
"Wonderful. What are your names?"
Todd briefly searched through the glass case and pulled out a few rings.
"I'm Cal. Nice to meet you, Todd," Jonnie said, shaking Todd's hand firmly. "And my fiancé to be is Beau."
"Cal and Beau. What beautiful names," Todd said.
"Thank you," Jonnie smiled, "just as beautiful as your suit. Who made it?"
"Why thank you," Todd said with a bit of a blush. "Armani. I don't wear anything else."
"Great taste. Might have to consider them for our suits."
"You won't be disappointed if you do. Great quality indeed. Now, these rings are a great place to start. Take a look," Todd encouraged.
Jonnie obliged and took a look at the rings, tossing them around in his hand, feigning disinterest. A simple gold band.
"Doesn't catch the eye. He needs something bold. Something for a guy who's got everything. But now that I think of it, do you carry gold coins? I think I might also want to give him an investment gift."
"Wonderful, yes, we carry gold coins. I also might have some rings in the back that are a bit more bold. Does he have a preference between gold or silver?"
"He's allergic to silver, so only gold will do."
"Got it. Bear with me while I pick out a few exclusive pieces I think would catch the eye."
Todd returned the gold rings he had pulled from the glass case and disappeared down a hall leading to the back workshop. In Todd's absence, Jonnie managed to clock a camera over the counter. He peaked around the corner and spotted a few more cameras down the hallway leading to the back workshop.
Meanwhile, outside, Clyde had made his way into the back alley off 67th Street, careful not to stick out. He immediately noticed a steel delivery door secured by a deadbolt and no cameras.
He thought all he would have to do was pick the deadbolt to gain entry into the boutique while Jonnie distracted the associate.
Back inside, Jonnie waited as Todd reemerged from the back workshop carrying a small silk-lined tray with two medium-sized gold bands and a purple velvet string-drawn bag.
Todd placed them before Jonnie.
Closer up, Jonnie made out elaborate engravings along the rings' surfaces, and from the bag, Todd pulled out two American Eagle one-ounce gold coins, laying them on the tray.
"Each ring is uniquely engraved with a Sanskrit pattern that roughly translates to 'I love you forever,' which I think suits the sentiment of a love that has already lasted quite some time," Todd said, taking one of the rings and handing it to Jonnie.
Jonnie examined the rings and felt the engravings under his fingers. He turned the ring around in his hand and even attempted to try it on. It slipped on like a glove.
"The engravings on these rings are outstanding. It is very eye-catching and, dare I say, unique," Jonnie commented, placing the ring back onto the tray.
He then picked up one of the gold coins and observed that they were pristine in quality.
"As for the gold coins, they look freshly minted. Beau is a stickler for mint coins. I think seven would be a good number. His lucky number.
"What do you think?" Jonnie asked Todd.
"The engravings on the rings are a very unique touch. I doubt you could find anything like them at another boutique. As for the coins, we should have more than enough to make for an exceptional investment gift."
"Perfect. I'll have to put you at the top of my list. I still have one more boutique to visit, but you've impressed me with your offerings."
"Yes, I understand," Todd said with a gentle smile.
"I don't suspect that my last boutique will impress me so, and if my intuition is any indication, I'll likely see you tomorrow."
"I'll be here."
"Perfect."
Jonnie left the boutique and met Clyde at the Mustang a few blocks down the street. When he arrived, Clyde was patiently waiting in the driver's seat, listening to music.
"How did it go?" He asked once Jonnie had got into the car.
He reached over to the console and turned the music down.
"Great! They have the coins. There's only one associate working, and the door is a buzzer as you read online. There's a camera over the counter in the showroom and down the hallway leading to the back workshop. They keep the coins in a purple velvet string-drawn bag. Probably in a safe. I wasn't able to personally verify, but I'm sure there are cameras in the workshop. What did you find out?"
"There's a single steel delivery door secured with a deadbolt in the alley. I can pick the lock while you distract the associate and gain entry. I just need to get the tools and practice a bit. It's been a while."
"They won't suspect a thing. Especially not in the daytime. So we have that in our favor too."
"Exactly. I'll come in, hold them at gunpoint, and get them to unlock the safe where they likely keep the gold coins and the rest of their high-value pieces. I get what we need, nothing more, and then assuming that goes well, I'll meet you at the car. You'll leave while me and the associate are in the back."
"What about the cameras? They'll know what I look like."
"You're right, but you wouldn't have committed a crime. You'd just be a scared patron taking a chance to escape. I'll be wearing a mask so we should both be in the clear."
"Sounds too easy to be true," Jonnie said with an ironic smile.
"You're right, but if we pull this off, we'll be set for the rest of your life."
Clyde took Jonnie's hand into his and kissed it softly, and then looked at him with the softest eyes. He was confident they could pull this off.
"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you," Jonnie said, blushing as he sometimes still did when Clyde looked at him like that.
Clyde smiled and kissed his hands again before turning the car on and driving off.
Jonnie and Clyde spent the rest of the day preparing for the heist. Clyde purchased a lock-picking kit and practiced breaking into their apartment. While Jonnie practiced roughly what his distraction would be. By the end of the day, they both felt more than prepared to pull off the heist when all was said and done.
That night, they made love like it would be their last time together. Afterward, Clyde slept soundly in Jonnie's arms as Jonnie remembered the first time they had met.
It was Spring.
He was doing a little shopping at a local farmer's market in the city. When he looked up from the pomegranates and met eyes with the hefty fellow with piercing brown eyes. Jonnie looked away out of fear that someone as built as Clyde could be gay.
But then Clyde walked around the display and slyly introduced himself.
It was love at first sight.
No Grindr.
No setup.
No mistakes.
Just divine timing.
From that moment on, they spent every waking moment at each other's side.
Jonnie wondered if maybe they should get married before it was too late. But then again, they were already struggling to pay his medical bills, having committed to a life of crime. But there would be just one more heist. They could put all of that behind them. Eventually, he, too, would fall asleep. Dreaming only of Clyde and their lives outside the world of crime.
Clyde drove them to the Upper East Side the following day and parked a few blocks from the boutique as planned.
Jonnie got out first and started toward Reinstein Ross with a pep in his step. He walked up to the boutique, clicking the call button. A few minutes later, Todd buzzed him in. Jonnie stepped into the showroom.
"Cal! Welcome back," Todd said with elated excitement.
"Todd, you won't believe this, I lost my job today--need something special to seal the deal. Though I loved the rings you showed me yesterday, I needed something even more eye-catching and unique. Is that possible? Can you please show me everything gold?"
"Let's see what I can do. What price range were you looking at?"
"Money is not an issue. I have a massive savings, and he deserves only the best."
"Alright, alright," Todd said gently.
He headed to the back workshop and emerged a few minutes later with a few pieces on a silk-lined tray. He sat them on the glass case.
"I've pulled the best pieces we have. What do you think of this one?" Todd asked while handing Jonnie a thick gold band encrusted with diamonds.
Meanwhile, Clyde had already arrived in the back alley wearing nothing more than a black hoodie, jeans, and the Barack Obama mask. Gun secured to his back in the band of his jeans.
He pulled out his lock-picking kit and got to work. Within 45 seconds he had picked the lock. He carefully pulled the door open and entered the boutique.
The workshop was littered with tools and unfinished pieces. There was a mid-grade safe with a keypad. Clyde pulled out his loaded gun and headed for the showroom quietly. He could hear Jonnie and the associate talking about ring options.
Just as he was about to emerge from the back, Jonnie was about to get his ring size measured, but then fumbled it and the tool fell to the ground.
"Oh, I'm so clumsy!" Jonnie exclaimed as Todd bent down to retrieve the sizing tool.
"No worries," he said from behind the jewelry case.
Just as Todd picked up the ring sizing tool, Clyde came up behind him sticking the gun into his back and forcing him to his feet.
Jonnie screamed and took several steps from the counter.
"Don't move a muscle," Clyde commanded.
Jonnie obliged, but most importantly, Todd froze in place. Unable to hit the panic button under the counter.
"How did you get in? What do you want?" Todd asked frantically, unable to move a muscle.
Without answering Todd, Clyde clasped his hand on Todd's shoulder and led him back through the hall and into the workshop. He forces Todd to the safe, gun pressed firmly against his backside.
"Unlock the safe. Any funny business and I will shoot," Clyde instructed calmly.
Having no other choice, Todd typed in the code to the safe. It clicked and he pulled it open. Inside were jewels, gold and silver pieces and most importantly the purple velvet string-drawn bag.
Todd attempted to free himself from Clyde's grasp, and without hesitation, Clyde let three shots fill his back.
Todd fell to the ground with a fleshy thud. Blood started to seep from his body onto the floor.
Adrenaline rushing, Clyde stood as still as a statue, staring at the warm gun. The shock ran through him like a contact high. This wasn't what Jonnie would have wanted, but he had warned the associate. He had given him no other choice.
He’d just killed a man. One life taken to extend another.
Clyde snapped out of his reverie. He turned back to the safe, reached into it, and took out the velvet bag. He pulled out seven American Eagle one-ounce coins, stuffing them into his jean's right pocket.
Bag in hand, he looked down at the associate, motionless. The stillness was absolute. At least now there would be no witnesses other than Jonnie.
Clyde pulled out another coin and put it into his left pocket.
He replaced his gun in the band of his jeans and took one last look at Todd bleeding out on the floor.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, before running out of the workshop and back through the steel delivery door.
Before emerging out onto the street, he removed his mask and stuffed it into his hoodie pocket.
As calm as he could, nerves still shot, he made his way toward the Mustang like a zombie. Unaware of his surroundings, but determined to see Jonnie again despite his sin.
In all of his years of crime, he had never killed someone before. The people he had been surrounded by always said your first kill would be the hardest, but it hadn't been that hard. Before, he didn't have a reason to choose violence. Now, there's nothing he wouldn't do to stay at Jonnie's side. To see him through to the end. He'd also warned the associate. That had to count for something. It was either that or risk being caught and separated from Jonnie.
When he made it to the Mustang, Jonnie was pacing the length of the car. When he saw Clyde he ceased, and waited for him to come within earshot.
"You're okay," he said, squeezing Clyde's arms and shoulders as if there were a chance he wasn't standing there. "Did you get them?"
"Yeah, I did. Get in, we better be off," Clyde said nearly out of breath.
They both got in, and Clyde started up the car. He drove off making sure to check the rear-view mirror periodically. After several blocks, Clyde felt they were in the clear as far as he could tell. They'd done it.
"I can't believe we actually pulled it off," Jonnie said as Clyde pulled onto 5th Avenue.
"Same."
"I just feel bad for Todd. He was nice."
"Todd...? You mean the associate?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I know you won't approve, but I had to," Clyde said, afraid to look Jonnie in the eye.
"Had to what?" Jonnie asked with worry in his voice. "What did you do, Clyde?"
"He gave me no choice. I had to. He tried..."
"You didn't...?"
"I did."
"Is he dead?"
"Probably."
They drove along in silence.
Jonnie felt betrayed, and Clyde knew this. Ultimately, Jonnie took Clyde's hand and held it firmly.
"I trust, if you had any other choice, you would've done your best to spare him."
"I really would have. I even warned him."
"It's okay."
Clyde looked over to Jonnie with tears welling in his eyes. Jonnie reached over the center console and wiped away what tears had fallen.
"You'll be okay," Jonnie said. "If we're lucky, we'll never be in that situation ever again."
"I sure hope so," Clyde said, clearing his throat.
He pulled out his iPhone to make a call. The phone rang three times before it was answered.
"Hey, Lola. What's good?" Clyde said into the phone.
Jonnie sat there wracking his brain, but deep down he knew Clyde had done what was best for them. At least now there would be no witnesses.
"Yeah, I know it's been a while, but I need a favor. I heard you wanted to get your hands on some gold. I have seven American Eagle one-ounce coins--if you have the cash now?"
Clyde nodded his head a few times and then turned to look at Jonnie with a half-smile.
"Great, I'll be by in about fifteen minutes. Where should I meet you? In the alley? Okay. See you soon."
Clyde hung up the phone and looked at Jonnie again, but this time with loving eyes. There were no words for how lucky he was, and he hated that their time together had an expiration date.
"I really am sorry about Todd. You know I would do anything for you."
"I know."
Clyde took Jonnie's hand and kissed it softly as they drove into Brooklyn. A few more minutes later, they pulled up to the dive bar. Parked on the opposite side of the street.
"Stay here. I'll be right back."
Clyde got out and crossed the street. He ducked into the back alley, walked up to the backdoor of the bar, and waited for Lola.
Within a minute and drag queen dressed in a flashy gown came out with a huge blond wig and too much makeup through the backdoor of the dive bar. In one hand, a duffle bag, and in the other, a lit cigarette.
She took a drag of it and revealed a wide smile.
"Hey Lola," Clyde said with ease.
"Clyde my boy. It's good to see you. Been too long."
"It has been, and I'm sorry about that, but you know how life is--sometimes you're in, and sometimes you're out."
"And right now you're in?"
"Yeah, need the money."
"Right. You said you have something for me?"
"Indeed I do. You got the cash?"
Lola opened the duffle bag, revealing wads of cash.
"Eighteen thousand dollars," she said.
"Perfect."
Clyde dug into his jeans pocket and pulled out the seven gold coins. They made the exchange.
"Pleasure doing business with you, sweetheart. Don't be a stranger now."
"Thanks for this."
"Any time."
Clyde hurried out of the alley, across the street, and got back into the Mustang throwing the duffle bag into the back seat.
"We're all set," Clyde reassured Jonnie.
"Perfect," Jonnie said, finally at ease.
Clyde turned on the car and pulled away from the curb.
About twenty-five minutes later, they were walking up to their apartment. But before Clyde could unlock the door, Jonnie went stiff as a board. He wavered and then collapsed. Clyde caught him as he fell to the ground convulsing and twitching.
"Jonnie!" He screamed.
Clyde took off his hoodie and stuffed one of the arms into Jonnie's mouth to prevent him from biting off his tongue.
"Jonnie!" He screamed, rocking back and forth as Jonnie seized.
When Jonnie came to, he found himself in a hospital bed. Clyde was sitting in a chair right next to him eyes locked onto Jonnie.
"What happened?" He mumbled.
Clyde leaned in and took Jonnie's hand in his.
"You had a seizure. I brought you straight to the hospital after it subsided. I didn't know what else to do. The doctor said you'll be fine--it's a symptom of..."
"What about the ca..."
"Don't worry about that. It's safe in the apartment."
"Oh, good," Jonnie said with relief.
In the next moment, the doctor entered the room.
"Awe, you're awake. Very good. How are you feeling, Jonnie?"
"I'm fine. A little weak, but fine."
"Good, good," the doctor said, lingering for a moment.
"What is it doc?" Clyde asked.
"The police are here and they're asking for you, Jonnie. I told them you weren't conscious, but they've been waiting."
"Really, for what?"
"They didn't say, but seeing as he's awake now, do you mind if I send them in?"
"Sure," Clyde said hesitantly.
A few seconds later someone knocked on the room door.
"Come in," Jonnie said weakly.
Two NYPD officers entered the room. They were both slim and in full uniform. One was black and clean-shaven. The other looked Hispanic with a mustache.
"Sorry to disturb you, but we'd like to ask you a few questions," the Hispanic cop said.
"Sure. What's this about?" Jonnie asked weakly.
"Where were you this afternoon around 3 PM?"
"I was at Reinstein Ross," Jonnie said truthfully. "I was shopping for an engagement ring when some lunatic held up the place. I barely escaped with my life."
"We thought so...is there anything you can tell us about the assailant?" The black officer asked.
"Other than that, he had a gun and was wearing a Barack Obama mask. I don't know what else I could tell you. I didn't stay long enough to chat with the guy."
"We figured as much. We just wanted to check in. See if there was anything you could enlighten us with all things considered."
"All things considered?" Jonnie pried.
"Sadly, the associate at Reinstein Ross was murdered in cold blood, and we believe this is all connected to a string of convenience store robberies, but that's as much as we're allowed to share," the black officer continued, walking up beside Jonnie's bed and handing him his card.
"I see. Well, if I think of anything else, I'll be sure to give you a call."
"Thank you. Sorry to disturb you again," the Hispanic officer said, stealing a look with his colleague before they vacated the room.
Jonnie and Clyde exchanged looks after the door closed.
"That was close," Jonnie whispered.
"Too close," Clyde agreed.
Several days and a session of chemo later, Jonnie was released from the hospital. They were sitting in the Mustang in the parking lot of the hospital.
"Where to?" Clyde asked easily.
"Home?" Jonnie said, confused.
"I was thinking we get out of the city. Go where it's always sunny. Mexico or Australia?"
"Get out of the city? Okay--Mexico it is."
That day, with a full tank of gas, Jonnie and Clyde embarked on a two-day trip across the United States of America to Playas de Rosarito in the west.
They ate shitty gas station food and indulged themselves in local cuisine. They fell in love with cities and fell out of love with the idea of other cities. Jonnie and Clyde fell in love with their country. Its dense suburban sprawl and open deserts.
Jonnie and Clyde made memories, made love like they were running out of daylight. On several occasions along this journey, they remarked how it felt like they were falling deeper in love. Falling over and over and over again.
They talked about a distant future where they would move to LA. Clyde would take his music taste-making more seriously, and Jonnie would focus on building a personal brand.
They would no longer be reliant on the system and would truly be free of it.
When they arrived in Rosarito, Jonnie's condition had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. He refused to go to the hospital despite Clyde begging him to seek medical care.
"I'm done with hospitals," Jonnie had proclaimed in bed in their five-star hotel room. "I just want to die in your arms. No more picking and prodding just to prolong the inevitable. I'm tired, my love. So tired," Jonnie begged.
Clyde suddenly lost the urge to fight Jonnie on the matter at hand. He looked sick now, whereas a week prior, he had looked like his old self. Instead, Clyde got in bed with Jonnie and took him into his grasp. He rocked back and forth, soothing Jonnie to the best of his ability.
"Remember that Thanksgiving I met your family?" Clyde asked sweetly.
"I can't say I do. Tell me."
That was another thing.
Day by day, Jonnie would lament that he was losing his memories. Suddenly he felt as if a whole part of his life was missing. But with Clyde at his side, his world was still whole.
Jonnie was able to go to the beach for quite some time. Within a month, it was impossible to move him with the frailness his body had taken on. Clyde would spend more and more of his time holding a dying Jonnie.
Within a week, Jonnie died in Clyde's arms, just as he had wanted.
Clyde had him cremated.
Bought a handmade glass urn and necklace.
Clyde pulled out the gold coin from his tropical swim trunks and tossed it into the ocean.
He picked up Jonnie's urn and started back toward town. Where he would live out his life alone but in peace. Having known a love, many go a lifetime without experiencing.
