Finding Love

The wind whips through Tommy's thick dishwater blond hair as he cruises down a long stretch of highway. Iconic songs play on the radio as today's turn of events replays in his mind. If only I'd called it quits the way I intentionally planned, the homeowner wouldn't have found me and called the police. Oh, why didn't I listen to my gut? Why? He slams his hand against the steering wheel. "Damn it, anyhow."

The police hauled him to the station and questioned him for hours. Not having any evidence to support the lady's claim, they had no choice but to let him go. Tommy is afraid he'll be on the cop's radar despite the unsubstantiated claim.

"I didn't think she'd call the police." He thought she'd see he's working and let it go at that. "I guess my charm didn't work this time around."

To make matters worse, his friends called, saying the stuff they grabbed was all worthless junk. Tommy figured they must've locked the expensive things in the safe. A place only he had access to.

He runs his hands through his thick mop of hair. I'm beginning to think my robbery idea isn't going to work after all. Tommy pictures Jen lying in bed, hooked up to an assortment of machines. He then recalls what the doctor had said.

"Your wife is going to need the operation sooner than we originally thought."

Since this fell through, Tommy's not sure how he's going to cover her aftercare. I have to make this work somehow. I have to, even if it means sending Vinnie and Larry out on their own.

He's planning their next job when their favorite song plays on the radio. His mind drifts back to how their love affair came to be. I tried to save her life, but she saved me instead.

Ten years prior

Tommy is finishing up some business in town when a familiar scent wafts through the air. I'd recognize that perfume anywhere. He spins around. Tommy's breath catches in his throat when the blond-haired beauty smiles at him. Everything about her makes my heart race, he thinks.

Jen's long blond hair hangs loosely past her shoulders. Her tight baby-blue blouse showcases her perky breasts. The short denim skirt shows off her trim figure and long slender legs.

He's been trying to muster up enough courage to say something to her but chickens out every time. He didn't think she'd be interested in a poor, uneducated, hell-raiser like him being a socialite. What do I have to offer someone as refined and sophisticated as her? He often dreamed of them being together despite their opposition, but he knew in his heart that's all it'll ever be; a dream.

His friend sees him gawking. Smacking Tommy's arm, he says. "Why don't you ask her out?"

"No, I could never do that."

"Why not?"

"She'll probably laugh at me, tell me to get lost."

"What if she doesn't? What if she says yes?"

He looks up at Jen, a sparkle of hope in his eyes."You think she might?"

"There's only one way to find out."

Clearing his throat, Tommy walks towards her. "Hey, doll face," he says, trying to act nonchalant.

"Who me?" she asks, nervously looking around."

"You're the only doll face I see." He winks, trying to act cool. So far, so good. He gulps

Jen's heart skips a beat. She's always thought this bad boy was hot. Someone she'd enjoy getting to know. Sometimes late at night,

she'd find herself fantasizing about what it'd be like to be with a rebel like him.

"How would you like to take a ride on my bike?" He asks, stepping up beside her.

"I... I'm scared of bikes." She stutters, eyeing the frightful contraption.

"I promise to take it slow. The ride, take the ride slow, I mean," Tommy corrects, turning red-faced.

"You swear?"

"I would say boy scout's honor, but I've never been a scout. I'm too cool for them."

She laughs.

"So, what do you say, you up for a ride?"

Jen thinks about all the things she's dreamed of doing but didn't because she let fear get in her way. "You promise not to go too fast or pull a crazy stunt?"

"I promise." He hands her a helmet. "We need to protect your beautiful head." He strums his finger down the side of her cheek. His eyes light up. "Beautiful indeed."

She blushes. Pulling the helmet over her head, she climbs on behind him. "Put your arms around my waist," Tommy instructs.

"Like this?" She presses her body against him, her hands around his middle.

"Perfect." The bike jerks forward. She tightens her grip as she screams. "Relax, doll. You're safe with me." He gives the bike a little more gas.

A few minutes later, she loosens her grip. "This is fun."

"Exhilarating, isn't it?"

"It sure is." The scent of his cologne intoxicates her as her body continues to rub against his muscular frame. She snuggles in closer. "Very exhilarating."

Tommy feels her long, slender body press against him. I'm in heaven, he thinks.

Not wanting their romance to end, Tommy asks her out on a second ride and then on a third. Before long, the rides became a daily thing. Wanting to move their relationship up a level, Tommy asks her on a date.

The night of their big event, he pulls up to her house with a wad of cash in his pocket and a plan in his head. I'm going -to make this a night she'll never forget. He nervously straightens his suit and then runs his fingers through the mop he calls hair as he heads to the door. He's meeting her parents for the first time and wants his appearance to be perfect. He repeats the process one more time before he knocks. Maybe they didn't hear me. He starts to ring the bell when an older, distinguished-looking gentleman throws the barrier open.

"Yeah, what do you want?" he grumbles.

Intimidated, Tommy takes a step back. "I... I'm here to pick up Jenifer for our date, sir."

The man gives him a quick once-over. "I don't know who you are or what you're trying to pull, but I'm telling you right now, I will not allow my daughter to date a low-life hoodlum like you." He slams the door closed.

Tommy tearfully turns away. "I should've known this would happen, dating out of my league. Acting like I'm something special. With his head down, he shuffles to his bike.

Tommy's had his heart broken numerous times. First by his parents and then by several foster families. The last time was the worst of them all, one he never fully recovered from. The family said they loved him and wanted him to be their son. Then a cute infant came into their lives, and they adopted him instead. They claimed that Tommy wouldn't need them in a few years, but the baby will. He decided to build a wall to prevent being hurt again. Then Jen came along and smashed the barrier to smithereens despite how hard he fought to keep it up.

"If only I could see her one last time, tell her how I feel." He glances towards the house. "It wouldn't matter what I'd say, with her dad in our way."

Tommy tries to move on with his life, but Jen continues to plague his thoughts no matter what he does or who he dates.

Six months later, he's taking care of a little side work for Hernandez when he hears a woman yelling for help.

He runs down the alley to find Jen being attacked by a monstrous-sized goon. Throwing his common sense aside, he runs towards him. "Get away from her, now."

The thug turns around. "Get lost before I take care of you too."

Tommy continues towards him. "I said get away from her now."

"I warned you, punk." He pulls a gun from his waistband.

Tommy hears a ping then sees the man fall to the ground. Jen is standing behind him with a crowbar in her hands.

She tosses the metal bar aside. "Thanks for coming to my rescue."

"You too." He smiles.

Tommy's favorite song blaring through the radio brings him back to the present day. "She saved my life, and now it's time for me to do the same." Wiping his tear-streaked face, Tommy makes a U-Turn towards town.