Easy Money
by Kim Schuelke
Manuel traced the outline of the bike with his fingers. It seemed to taunt him from the other side of the glass. “Can’t have me, can’t have me!” it mocked.
“There’s got to be a way!” he protested. The big race was coming up in just two weeks, and Aaron knew he could win-if he had that bicycle. For months he’d saved every penny he earned delivering papers. Now he was just two dollars away. Two more dollars was a month away, though. He had to find something else—anything—to get those last two dollars.
“Hey, what’s up buddy?” Jim Sams sauntered up and smacked him on the back. Manuel grimaced. What a jerk!
“Just looking at the bike,” he said.
“Yup, she’s a beauty,” Jim said, then shrugged his shoulders. “Gotta’ run.” He smacked Manuel on the back again. “See ya!”
The next morning in Sunday school, the teacher asked for prayer requests. Manuel slid the hold in his left sneaker behind his right leg.
“I’m praying for a new bike,” Manuel began. He tugged on his shirtsleeves, trying to make them long enough to reach his wrists. A couple of boys behind him snorted. Manuel dropped his head and the teacher moved on.
I’ll show them! He suddenly thought, whatever it takes, I’ll get that bike!
For the rest of the week, Manuel thought of nothing except how to get two more dollars. He thought of selling lemonade, but it was even hot. Could he sell something? Everything he had was old and tired.
It was Jim the Jerk who gave Manuel his inspiration. He came in to school the next Wednesday flashing a new Game Boy cartridge.
“Yup,” he bragged “No big deal. I recycle stuff every now and then. Easy money.”
Easy money! That was it! Surely he could collect enough old cans to get two more dollars. He had three days left. Less than a dollar a day and he’d have it. Easy money.
That day after school, Manuel went straight to collecting cans. By six o’clock, he only had two cans.
“Hey!” Jim called, “Whatcha’ doin’?”
“Looking for cans”, Manuel said
“Whatcha’ doin’ that for?” Jim said. “Yer not gonna’ find nothin’ here.”
“Then what were you talking about in school? Didn’t you say you recycle? That it was easy money?”
Jim rubbed the back of his neck. “Yup. But you don’t think I’d cruise around lookin’ like some homeless freak, do ya’?” He glanced around. “When I said ‘recycle’, I was talkin’ serious recycling. Know what I mean?”
“No,” Manuel said, “But I’d like to.” He peeled a piece of chrome off his handlebars. “I really want that bike. All I need is two more dollars.”
“Two dollars? Good as yours. One condition. Our little secret. Got it?” Jim crossed his arms and smirked.
“Got it.” Manuel felt his stomach tighten. But he really needed that money.
“Okay. Meet me at the park tonight at nin.”
“Won’t it be dark then?” Manuel shoved his hands into his pockets.
Jim laughed. “Yup, it’ll be dark, dummy. See ya’.”
Manuel felt edby all day. He was excited about his bike but worried about meeting Jim. But money was money, and they surely weren’t going to be robbing a bank just for two dollars. Jim was a jerk. He was rude and ill mannered. He also had money, and now he was going to share his secret with Manuel.
“God,” he prayed, “please help me. I need this money, but I’m scared.”
That night, at exactly nine o’clock, Manuel arrived at the park. He saw Jim already there, dressed in a black turtleneck, black jeans and black sneakers.
“Hey, dummy!” Jim called, “Whatcha’ doin’ wearin’ a white t-shirt?”
“What’s wrong with white?” Manuel said, and felt his throat tightening.
“Oh, brother! You really are a dummy!” Never mind, let’s get going!”
“Wait a minute,” Manuel said, “maybe this isn’t such a great idea.” He dug a hole in the ground with the toe of his sneaker. “I mean, I get this feeling that we’re about to do something, well . . . bad.”
“Bad!” Jim snorted, “Bad? No, this is gonn’ be good! This is gonna’ get you that nice, new bike you wanted, ‘member?” He slapped Manuel on the back.
“Yes, but, I remember that God says not to steal. That’s what we’re going to do, isn’t it?”
“We ain’t stealin’,” Jim said. A sly smile spread across Jim’s face. “We’re just borrowin’ from the rich to give to the poor. Still want that bike? Or you too yellow?”
Manuel started backing away, faster and faster. Then he turned and started running as fast as he could. A few minutes later he stopped and looked around. He didn’t see Jim anywhere. He was glad to catch his breath and walk the rest of the way home. Maybe a new bike wasn’t so important after all.
