Page 206 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“Okay.” Ody nodded. “Don’t push yourself. I’ll go alone. I won’t be long.” His thumb brushed once more over Mano’s hand before he let it go. “Maybe we can do something later?”

“I don’t know. We’ll… we’ll talk when you get back.”

“Okay, baby.” Ody stood, cupped Mano’s face, and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “I’m gonna get dressed.”

After getting ready and slipping on his shoes by the front door, he glanced back. Mano was still sitting in the exact same spot. “I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“Wait.” Mano looked up. He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “I’ll come with you.”

Ody could see how much it cost him. “Are you sure?”

“Not even a little,” Mano admitted, still shaken. “But if I don’t do it with you, I’ll never do it.” He stood and headed to the bedroom.

They got into the car, Ody behind the wheel, Mano tense in the passenger seat. When they stopped outside the bank, Mano’s gaze locked onto the entrance. His breathing quickened, shallow and tight.

“What flavors do you want?”

“Biscuit and chocolate!”

“Mano…” Ody’s voice pulled him back.

“Yeah… Let’s go.” He unbuckled quickly and stepped out. His legs felt unsteady.

Ody stayed close as Mano took a step onto the sidewalk.

“I want to see dad.”

“Dad’s working right now.”

Mano shook his head, trying to push the memory away. He kept moving.

A short line stretched in front of the ATM. His gaze flicked to the main entrance. The door stood in front of him, plain and ordinary. And yet, he couldn’t make himself reach for it. He stepped closer, then stopped.

Ody was right behind him.

Mano lifted his hand, fingers wrapping around the handle.

“I got an A on my English test.”

“That’s my boy.”

He exhaled, head lowered, grip tightening.

“Mano… If it’s too much, you don’t have to push yourself.”

Mano pushed the door open and stepped inside. Voices and footsteps blended together, people moving around him. Everything looked normal. He moved forward again, his legs threatening to give out. Ody followed.

The door shut behind them.

Mano looked around. People in suits. People in casual clothes. Papers. Money. Voices.

“Everybody down!”

Guns. Black bags. Three men. Screams.

His breathing turned sharp, uneven. His eyes squeezed shut.

“Mano…” Ody called softly.