CAREFUL WHO YOU TELL

I knocked on Jonathan's door, my arms full with two medium pizza's from Domino's and a six pack.

"Hey," he said opening the door.

"Here I am, hope you're hungry," I said, stepping inside his apartment.

"I didn't expect this but come on in."

He turned off the television then moved his paperwork from the dining table where we set out the food. We talked about work, the local teams, and who we hooked up with in the last two weeks. Grabbing two beers, I twisted the caps off, and handed Jonathan one.

"Skoal," I said clinking his bottle.

We chugged them half down and took big bites out of our slices.

"Tell me did you really just find it on the sidewalk, no one around," I asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"C'mon Jonathan, Jimmy told me a few days ago."

"Jimmy's got a big mouth."

"I thought we were friends why didn't you tell me."

"WE WERE friends Billy, until that night."

"Jonathan, she wasn't for you and she wasn't for me either, I just wanted to have some fun."

"She was a nice girl."

"No she wasn't, not at all."

"I haven't seen her since that night."

"I've seen her, but enough about her tell me how it happened. Go on finish your beer and we'll have another. Is it true?"

"Yeah, it's true."

"You were walking down the street and you see a lottery ticket and pick it up?"

"Yeah, I put it in my wallet and forgot about it. Three days later I'm at the store and remember I have it. I scanned it and it was a winner."

"How much?"

"What did big mouth Jimmy tell you."

"He said 2 million."

Jonathan didn't answer he just looked at me and smiled.

"You're shitting me."

"Nah, I'm not," he said giggling.

"Where is it," I ask.

"It's safe," wh--, what do you thin--, think I'mmmm stupid?"

"Finish your beer Johnny," I said lifting it to his mouth. As he drank I could see the small trace of white powder mixed in with the amber liquid. Together they disappeared down his throat.

I watched Jonathan's eyes become heavy then his chin fell to his chest. With a gentle nudge his body rolled to the floor. Thirty minutes later, I pulled my car into his driveway. Hoisting him up I carried him downstairs and tossed his limp body in the back seat.

We drove to a secluded area where I dug a hole and buried my friend next to the girl's body. "By the way Johnny, her name is Vicky. You'll have plenty of time to get to know each other."

"2 million dollars," I said laughing at my new fortune. I parked near his apartment and as I approached, standing by the door was Jimmy, an old man, and two police officers. 

"Hey Jimmy, what's going on," I said.

"I found the original owner of the lottery ticket and he's here with his two sons."