The Safe
The silver key remained on the table.
Neither brother touched it.
The restaurant around them buzzed with life.
Waiters moved between tables.
Couples laughed.
Businessmen discussed deals.
A child somewhere near the entrance giggled loudly.
Life.
Normal life.
The kind Steve suddenly envied.
Because everyone around him was planning next week.
Next month.
Next year.
Meanwhile, he was counting days.
Stanley stared at the key.
His chest felt tight.
Painfully tight.
"Stop."
Steve smiled.
"That's becoming your favorite word."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"No."
Stanley's voice hardened.
"I don't want the key."
Steve leaned back.
"You'll need it."
"I don't want it."
"You'll need it."
"I don't want it."
