The police came, red and blue lights illuminated the alleyway, bouncing back and forth between the walls of the shop. The old man recounted what happened as the officers took down his statement, a white sheet over the man on the floor. 

“He came in backwards, turned around and brandished the shotgun, demanding I give him all of the money in the register. Before I could move, he changed his mind. He was very frantic, whispering that he was going to kill me. Then he wanted me to get up and bring him into the back room. I knew then that his intention was for me not to return, so I reached down where I keep my gun, and I shot him.”

The police wrote down the old man’s statement.

“Do you have any camera footage?”They asked.

“No sir, I own a small shop with very few but loyal customers, and the only other person who works here is my grandson. I never felt the need to have them.” The old man said.

“Well it’s best you look into upgrading your security system, and possibly even having a locked door that operates off a button behind the counter, where you can buzz people in.” The officer explained, as the old man nodded his head. 

The boy stood by and watched, sitting on the stool his grandfather was on. The police asked him questions too, and he told them the truth.

“I was in the back on my break when I heard the gunshot, I stayed in there until my grandfather called my name.”

The officer took his statement, the coroner came and declared the man dead, and they hauled his body away in a black bag. All that was left was the massive stain from the blood in the middle of the floor. The old man went into the back to get the mop bucket, when the boy approached him.

“Do you think he wanted to kill you because of what happened two years ago? What do you think happened to him?” The boy asked.

“I don’t know.” Replied the man quietly.

He looked the boy in his eyes, a sad, ominous look of sorrow. 

“He didn’t have time to tell me.”

The boy thought it best to remain quiet. He had never taken somebody’s life before, and by the way his grandfather looked right now, he never wanted too.

“I’ve decided to go to college.” Said the boy as the old man finished mopping.

Seeing the old man smile at him in that moment, washed away any doubt the boy had of the choice he had made.

“I’m very glad to hear that son.” Said the old man. “Any idea what it is you’re going to study?” He asked.

“Holistic medicine.” Replied the boy, shrugging. “I figure I might as well have the little paper on the wall for the store when we go legit.” 

The old man eyed him suspiciously. 

“Look, eventually mushrooms are going to be legalized, just like weed has. And when it does, I want to not only be at the front lines, but like you said, the proof is in the paperwork, right?”

The old man laughed. “It seems your path is becoming clearer by the day!”

For the second time since the boy had known the old man, he saw him cry.

“I’m proud of you son.”

“Thanks, old man.”

Next Chapter: The Old Man