Perfect Pitch

As the weeks went on, the doctor really seemed to enjoy having her around. One night, they were sitting together on the couch after Melanie had been put to bed, chatting about this and that. Deanne casually put an arm around Renee and pulled her close for a hug. The way she spoke and the way she was getting a little more physical convinced Renee that she did like her but was taking things slow because of Melanie. “I know you think this building is really cool and all that and that you love the view, but I was thinking more and more about buying a house. This was only meant to be a temporary respite during my divorce anyway. I know Melanie would love to have a yard to play in instead of having to be brought to the park. I miss being at ground level and able to do simple things like step outside the door to dump something in the trash, so it doesn't stink the place up. Here, I have to get dressed if I’m not already, then go down the elevator and out to the dumpster.” “When do you think you'll get a place?” “Well, if you would care to come with us, then I’d love to have you check out some places with me soon.” “Sure, I'll check out some places with you,” Renee said, not so sure she wanted to become part of the family since she wasn't attracted to the doctor physically and was finding Melanie to be more and more of a spoiled brat lately. She was getting more defiant and rebellious and trying to talk to Deanne about it didn't seem to help. Deanne was quick to brush it off as simple childish behavior. But even if that was all it was, Renee was finding herself less and less in the mood to deal with it, which was precisely why she never had any kids of her own. Taking care of them here and there was one thing; living with them indefinitely was another. The next day, she entered Deanne’s room to gather some laundry. Her eyes fell upon the safe curiously. Hearing the four different tones in her head, she dared to take a chance and pressed some buttons to see if they matched what she heard in her head. All she had to do was hope that Deanne had been truthful about it not locking her out or sending any alerts due to failed attempts and that there were no hidden cameras in the room. One by one, she began to press the buttons to learn which buttons produced which tones. There was a quick ‘error’ beep and that was it. Nothing that screamed at her that she was an intruder trying to break into her employer’s safe and that the whole world would be alerted to it, too. When she was familiar enough with which tones matched which numbers, she played the familiar tune in her head that she would hear nearly every evening when Deanne deposited cash into the safe. Hating herself for being such a curious person but feeling blessed with her perfect pitch, she was ecstatic when she eventually found the right combination. She glanced nervously at the bedroom door. She dreaded the thought of the doctor coming home early, but that wasn't something that was likely to happen. But Melanie could wake up from her nap. She was old enough to realize something was up and to ask questions. That’s all the pest did was ask questions. She quickly skittered over to the bedroom door and closed it. Melanie may be curious as to why the door was closed, should she awaken, but at least she couldn't see that she was rummaging through her mother’s safe that she had broken into. She ran back over to the safe and pulled the door open wider. Sure enough, there were stacks and stacks of bundled bills. None of the bills was smaller than $20. Most were $100. It would take her forever to count them all but even with her not being so great with numbers, she could tell right away that there had to be thousands of dollars. At least twenty-five grand. Then her body seemed to take over her mind and she became a puppet on a string with no control over her actions. Her mind screamed at her, “Okay! You settled your curiosity. Now shut the damn safe door, mind your own business and get back to work.” But her body wouldn't listen. Instead, she ran to her room and threw her most important items into a duffel bag. Then she took a second duffel bag and filled it with the cash from the safe. Lastly, she grabbed her handbag and left the apartment. She went next door and knocked on Aisha’s door. “Please be home, please be home, please be home,” she muttered under her breath. Aisha opened the door. She started off with her bright, beautiful smile, which quickly fell at the sight of the seriousness on Renee's face. “Hey, girl. What's wrong?” “Can I come in?” she asked in a desperate but hushed tone. “Of course, of course,” Aisha said, stepping aside and opening the door wide. Renee stepped in and set the duffel bag down on the floor. “What happened? You guys have a fight or something?” Renee shook her head. “You know how they say we all should do something really crazy at least once in our lives?” Aisha nodded. “Well, today was my day.” Aisha studied her curiously. “Don't worry. I didn't kill anyone. Also, there are only cameras in the elevators and the entrances, as far as I know, so no one knows I’m here.” She bent down and unzipped the duffel bag with the money. Aisha's eyes widened, and she inhaled sharply. “You see, I was born with perfect pitch,” Renee explained. “Never needed to read music when playing instruments. I could always play by ear. Well, whenever she would deposit cash that she wanted to hide from her husband, the tones stuck in my head and I simply pressed the ones I heard and there it was. The safe opened and this is what I found. I just couldn't help myself. My brain knew it was wrong to take this but it's like I couldn't get my body to agree and not take it. There's got to be close to thirty grand here. I realize it's not too late. I know I could go put it all back, put my shit back in the room I was using, and that life could go on as usual. But I don't know. What do you think? Do I undo what I just did, or do I carry on and hope for the best?” “We could hide you out here, spend it together, and then hope for the best,” Aisha finally said, surprising the crap out of Melanie. She really thought she would demand that she put the money back, and perhaps a small part of her was hoping she would. However, in the same instant, both women erupted with laughter.