Things of Value

John watched as the Fredrick’s left their home Saturday morning. They placed their two children in the car seats in the back of their immaculate yellow sedan. William Fredrick placed the luggage in the trunk of the car, opened the door for Joan and closed if after she was seated, but not before leaning in to give her a kiss. With a large grin he wriggled in to his seat and started the car, it jumped to life with a near silent cat like purr. William laughed heartily to a joke Joan had made as the drove off.

John had been casing the Fredrick’s house for weeks now; it was on his long complicated route of houses that he would watch regularly looking for his opportunity to pounce. Tonight would be one of these nights. There was a gleam in his eyes as he got the feeling he always got before a job and tonight was going to be extra special. An apprentice had found him and wanted to watch him work, so he happily agreed to it. John had pride in his work and was happy to share his talents and know-how with newbies. Plenty of houses to hit and so little time, having more people doing jobs didn’t bother him much, and well if he ever really needed an out he could probably pin his job on an apprentice.

The new guy’s name was Fred, he found John through a close personal friend of John from his short stint in juvenile detention, where he learned so much more about his craft than any other place. Fred showed up just after sunset as John had instructed. They nodded at each other and Fred followed John up to the house and watched intently as broke in. They entered and John moved around swiftly collecting items he saw. Fred looked dumbfounded he didn’t understand what was going on.

“What are you doing?” Fred whispered with as much emphasis as he could.

“I’m taking things of value. What did you expect?” John replied in normal conversation volume. “Why are you whispering? There’s really no one around to hear us, and I know they don’t have a security system.”

“Well fine,” Fred spoke conversationally, “Why are you taking these items? I mean, a silver thimble, a piece of clay with a kids hand print in it, all the baubles sitting in that ashtray?”

“I’m taking things people value more than just stuff. That television set over there. It’s nothing. It can simply be replaced for a price, but these things, they are memories. There is no way to get them back.” He said with an evil smile across his face. Fred stepped back slowly, this was not what he had signed up for. He was in it for the money; this guy was obviously a sicko.

“Um, well if it’s all the same to you, I have a thing,” Fred said as he looked at his watch. He really felt a strong need to get away from this guy. Of all the things he learned in his life, number one was ‘you don’t mess with the crazies’ and he wasn’t about to break this rule now.

“Well, okay. Are you sure you don’t want to stick around and learn more?” John was a little put off looking, but he didn’t seem too bothered by this upcoming departure.

“Nah, I’ve really got to be going. And don’t worry about calling me, I’ll call you when I have time to shadow you again.” With this John seemed pleased. Fred left in a hurry and had no plans of ever getting back in with this guy.

-V-