Peck’s Puppet

--Wanted: Jimmy Wicket, Chapter 1--

The Mothers were well off. Bejeweled and clad in business attire. Plus bulky, heavy purses that were woefully unguarded.

...I pulled out cell phones, jewelry, wallets, spare bills...

And, one especially expensive

Coin Purse.

*********************

"Home now right?" I ask, daring to hope. "I mean we don't have to sell every little thing, we already got a good haul from what they were happy to give us."

The beanie, now held like a sack was full to the brim. All those bills and coins, surely could cover the laptop and phone he and I use.

"Jimmy, how expensive do you figure Dad's treatments are? Too much for Mom to have paid for, and what abut the stack of bills huh?"

He plowed on before I could form an argument. "Besides if we can do something we should. You said that once didn't you? That's what we're doing. Besides, Mom pretty much has her own side hustle," Peck rationalized.

Why'd he always have to be so good at that? Always an answer for everything.

"The people we steal from could have problems too," I pointed out, "being rich doesn't automatically make you happy and who says they deserve what we do? What if it were you?"

"Money doesn't make you happy, but it pays unhappiness to stay away," Peck said, quoting himself. "They have plenty so what's a few bucks and doo dads that can be easily replaced?"

**********************

We were in a skeazy part of town...

...Peck searched for the face of his shady business partner...

Today, he looked down on us from a fire escape.

"Hey Peck," said the young man with a smirk. Out of reflex I clung close to my brother. "Got anything good?"

"I dunno. Come on Jimmy," peck said nudging me. I glared at the pair of them, squeezing my baggy coat shut tight.

"Jimmy don't be difficult," Peck insisted with a nervous chuckle.

"Yes Jimmy, do what your brother says."