Mundelein High School - Voices Magazine - 2020

V o i c e s 2 0 2 0 | 12
his apron, he was in for a treat. The best thing to do would be to close shop early and
go looking for the apron. Either way, his mother would be angry, but if she ever found
out that the apron was stolen, that would be the end. August locked the front doors to
the shop, and began his journey of looking for the lost family heirloom.
People walking out of The Miller Motel across the street were giving him odd
looks. For it was a nice sunny day out, yet here he was wearing all black looking like a
deer caught in headlights. He continued to walk down the street towards the flaming
hill. He took the familiar left turn towards his best friend’s house his calves screaming for
him to slow his walking, but he persisted. Loud talking and laughs were heard from
inside the Red Iron Tavern, and August looked through the windows as he passed
wishing he were in there laughing with those people.
Eric’s garage wasn’t open as usual throwing August off. He knocked on the front
door only to be greeted by Eric’s mother.
“August, what are you doing here?” she questioned. “Shouldn’t you be working
the parlor?”
“Is Eric here?” he asked, ignoring her questions.
“Yeah he should be in his room. Is everything ok-” August blew past her and
made his way towards the basement. He flung the door open and ran down the stairs
almost tripping over the last few steps.
“Ericit’sgone,” he rushed out, out of breath. Startled, Eric spun around in his desk
chair, kicking a robe under the desk.
“What’s gone? Why are you here? Isn’t your mom gonna kill you for not
working?” August put a hand on his chest and recollected himself.
“The apron. It’s gone,” he breathed. Eric stared at him for a moment.
“What do you mean?” He looked uncomfortable.
“I went to bed at, like, 2:30 and woke up by my mom banging on the door
because I slept in until 1. When I went to open up the shop, a window was open and
looked as if it was busted open, so then I checked upstairs to see if they stole anything,
and the apron wasn’t on its hook,” he explained quickly. He stayed standing in his spot
afraid if he sat down, he would shake uncontrollably from nerves. “Dude I’m so dead.”
Eric stood up pushing the chair and robe into the desk. He leaned on the edge
and crossed his arms. “Maybe you took it off the hook without realizing and misplaced it
this morning, and you were probably just too tired to remember.”
August loosened his muscles. “You’re oddly… calm.” He squinted his eyes slightly.
“What?” Eric uncrossed his arms.
“You’re calm. You usually always freak out with me.”
“Are you accusing me of stealing it?” August stared at Eric then let out a sharp
breath. He rubbed his eyes exhaustedly.