Meagan Fink - Change in Plans

To all of the friends and family

That have supported me through

It all. This is for you.

I want to come in, says Dyton.

The two of them wait in an alley outside the jewelry store with the ruby necklace safely stored in Titas front pocket.

No, you wait out here. No offense, but people associate young boys with trouble, so you, stay, says Tita, as she begins to walk to the front of the building.

Im not a dog, he says, but he stays put.

Tita walks to the front of the store and pushes through the glass door and a bell sounds in the back.

She takes in the room with one sweeping glance. Cases of various rings cover the right side of the room, necklaces and bracelets cover the front, and earrings, to the left, and also a police officer. He leans against the necklace case talking to the store clerk which is where she needs to be. An old geezer stands looking at earrings and comparing prices.

Why did there have to be a police officer? Thieves and the authorities dont mix very well; and yet, here was one right when she needed to make a deal. Tita walks up to the counter and looks at the merchandise. The clerk stops his conversation with the officer and walks over to her.

Hello miss. What can I do for you? Are you looking to buy anything specific? he asks. The clerk is a tall thin man with thick rimmed glasses that look like theyll fall off his nose at any given moment, and no hair; whether by choice or the hard reality of life.

Actually, I was hoping that I might be able to sell an item, says Tita.

The clerk frowns.

Im sorry miss but were no longer buying.

Oh, well, you see my little brother, he, hes very sick. Tita waits for a few tears and, when they come, she lays them on thick. He has polio and we cant pay the doctor anymore so my mother said to bring this. Tita takes out the necklace and shows the clerk. The clerk takes it in his hand and examines it.

Its my mothers, she said that I should be able to get some money for it. Tita takes it back and clutches it to her chest. Please, she says letting her voice crack. The clerk thinks it over, how can he not help a girl whose brother has polio?

Let me talk to my boss, Im sure hell make an exception, he says.

Oh, thank you, she says, as she wipes a few tears off her cheek as he walks into a back room. She hears footsteps to her right and looks up. The officer walks over to her and leans on the case.

Im sorry to hear about your brother, he says. Hes a bulky man, maybe 240-250 pounds; he seems in his early thirties, brown hair, and pale cold blue eyes. But all that seems to vanish when her eyes land on his gun strapped to his hip.

Names Chive, Jake Chive, he says as he extends a hand. She lightly touches her hand to his, and then takes it back quickly. And yours?

Amanda, she says and leans to the left to see if the clerk is almost done.

Thats a very pretty necklace, he says, as he peers closer.

Thank you, it was my mothers, she says tersely.

Was your mothers? I thought you said she told you to sell it? he asks. Actually, that looks very familiar, he says, as he looks closer.

Tita starts to rub her locket trying to calm her racing heart. He doesnt know that you stole it, how could he? Besides I stole it from a black market; if something was stolen, no merchant in his right mind would tell an officer.

It is my mothers; it just wont be any more if I do sell it. Tita lets out a breath she didnt know shed been holding, when the clerk returns.

Good news, the boss said I could give you $20 for it, he says with a smile.

Really? Oh good. She tries to put on a smile and keep up her act.

Well once I told him your situation, he understood. So here you go. The clerk gives her a $20 bill and she hands over the necklace and takes the money.

Thank you, she says quickly, and starts to walk out of the store.

Wait a minute, I do know that necklace. Thats the one that Rob said was stolen from his tent, says the officer.

Tita starts to run for the door. She then falls as she runs into the other woman in the store; the woman lands on top of her with a shrill scream, as the two of them fall to the floor.

Tita starts to struggle trying to get the woman off of her and make a run for it. He knows! He knows I stole it! She frantically thinks as she starts to get up but then is pushed back down. Officer Chive puts a restraining hand on her shoulder and holds her down.

I knew I had seen that necklace somewhere. Rob had filed a report. I cant go to jail. I just cant; what would happen to Dyton, who would take care of him? She starts to struggle against him trying to get free. The officer looks up at the clerk still behind the counter, James, call for a squad. The clerk quickly nods, his eyes wide, and dashes into a back room. With sudden energy Tita lashes out, a fist connects with his jaw and he tumbles backward. She stumbles onto her feet and runs past the fallen officer and enraged woman.

She runs out of the store and into Dyton. He has a startled look on his face, I heard screaming, what happened? he asks.

Not now. She grabs his arm and starts running down the alley to the next street.

Stop! Stop, you thief! They both quickly glance back to see the officer pursuing them.

Come on! she yells, as she pulls Dyton faster. They burst out into the other street and she looks left and right, trying to get her bearings. The police station is just two blocks away; more police will be there any second.

Hold it right there! the officer yells as he catches up; in the distance sirens blare to life. Tita quickly pulls him to the right and dashes down the street. She pushes her way through crowds of people, making sure to hold onto Dyton at the same time. When she pushes past an old man, she sees police cars up ahead coming straight for them.

Go back, Dyton, go back. She pushes against him and pushes her way back toward the lone officer.

Wait, what, why? Dyton pulls back on her hand. No we need to go this way, toward the warehouse. Suddenly, Dytons hand slips out of hers as people push in on them.

Wait, Dyton! She tries pushing her way back out, but is then thrown to the ground; she looks up to see Jake Chive standing over her.

Stay down, youre under arrest sweetheart. He tries to catch his breath as he searches over the crowd probably looking for Dyton. The side of his face is swollen and red, the makings of a bruise. He looks back down at her and catches her glance. He grins.

Assaulting a police officer is a felony. Im taking you in; turn over. She complies, and lays face first on the ground and feels a boot planted on her back. The sound of sirens start to amplify, she doesnt have much time. When she hears the sound of handcuffs clinking together she knows her time has come. She waits for the pressure on her back to let off a bit; when it does, she rolls over and grabs his foot. She hooks her foot around his other leg and pulls it out from under him; he lets out a startled gasp as he falls hard on his back.

She stumbles back onto her feet and pushes through a staring crowd. When she sees an alley that goes through to the next street she takes it. She stops when shes half way through and looks back. She needs to find Dyton; sure theyve been separated before, but they had planned it. More than likely he would head for the warehouse; but, what if he stayed behind and was looking for her? The officer could recognize him and arrest him, then what?