CHAPTER FIVE – THE LOAN SHARK

The warm Sunday sun beamed down on the bustling city park as Cassie and Jenna spread out a checkered blanket under the shade of a sprawling oak tree. It was Cassie's first day off in what felt like ages, and she was determined to make the most of it with her oldest and dearest friend. "I can't believe we finally managed to sync up our schedules," Cassie said, flopping down onto the blanket with a contented sigh. Jenna grinned, pulling out an assortment of snacks from her oversized tote bag. "I know, right? It's like trying to align the planets or something. Here, I brought your favorite." She tossed Cassie a bag of sour cream and onion chips, which Cassie caught with a squeal of delight. "You're the best, Jen," Cassie said, tearing into the bag. "So, what's the plan for today? Please tell me it involves doing absolutely nothing productive." Jenna laughed, pulling out a frisbee from her seemingly bottomless bag. "Oh, we're going to be very productive... at having fun!" The two friends spent the next hour tossing the frisbee back and forth, their competitive spirits turning a simple game into an all-out war of acrobatics and trash talk. "Is that all you've got, Hartman?" Jenna taunted, making an impressive leap to catch a high throw. Cassie narrowed her eyes playfully. "Oh, it's on now, Jenkins!" She took a running start and launched the frisbee with all her might. The disc soared through the air, curving at the last second and landing perfectly in the branches of a nearby tree. "Oops," Cassie said, biting back a laugh as Jenna shot her an exasperated look. "Nice going, champ," Jenna said, hands on her hips as they both stared up at the trapped frisbee. "I suppose you have a brilliant plan to get it down?" Cassie grinned mischievously. "As a matter of fact, I do. Give me a boost!" Before Jenna could protest, Cassie was already trying to climb onto her shoulders. The two women wobbled precariously, drawing curious and amused glances from nearby parkgoers. "Cassie, this is a terrible ide—oof!" Jenna's words were cut short as Cassie's foot accidentally connected with her face. "Sorry, sorry!" Cassie said, stretching her arms towards the elusive frisbee. "Almost... got it..." Just as her fingers grazed the edge of the disc, Jenna lost her balance. With a shriek, both women toppled to the ground, landing in an undignified heap on the grass. There was a moment of stunned silence before they both burst into uncontrollable laughter. "Your face!" Cassie wheezed, clutching her sides. "Your scream!" Jenna countered, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. As their laughter subsided, they looked up to see a tall, lanky teenager easily pluck the frisbee from the tree and offer it to them with a bemused smile. "Thanks, kid," Jenna said, accepting the disc with as much dignity as she could muster while still sprawled on the ground. As the teenager walked away, Cassie and Jenna exchanged glances and dissolved into giggles once more. "Okay, okay," Cassie said, finally catching her breath. "I think we've had enough frisbee for one day. What's next on the agenda?" Jenna's eyes lit up. "I've got just the thing. Come on!" She led Cassie to a small pond in the center of the park where a fleet of pedal boats bobbed gently in the water. "Pedal boats?" Cassie asked, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't we a little old for that?" Jenna scoffed. "You're never too old for pedal boats. Besides, I bet I can pedal faster than you." "Oh, you are so on!" Soon, they were out on the water, furiously pedaling their respective boats and laughing as they splashed each other. "Eat my wake, slowpoke!" Cassie called out, pulling ahead slightly. Jenna redoubled her efforts, her face scrunched in concentration. "Not for long!" As they rounded a bend in the pond, they suddenly found themselves on a collision course with a group of ducks. Both women frantically tried to change direction, resulting in their boats spinning in comical circles. "Look out!" Cassie yelled, more to the ducks than to Jenna. The ducks, seemingly unimpressed by the human chaos, calmly swam between the two boats, quacking indignantly. Once the feathered obstacle course had passed, Cassie and Jenna looked at each other and burst into laughter once again. "I think... I think we'll call that one a tie," Jenna said, still chuckling as they pedaled back to shore. As they returned to their blanket under the oak tree, Cassie felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the physical exertion. It had been so long since she'd allowed herself to just be silly and carefree, and she was grateful for Jenna's presence in her life. "Hey, Jen," she said softly as they settled back onto the blanket. "Thanks for today. I really needed this." Jenna smiled, giving Cassie's hand a squeeze. "Anytime, Cass. That's what friends are for, right?" As the afternoon wore on, they people-watched and gossiped, sharing a pint of ice cream that was rapidly melting in the warm sun. "Okay, your turn," Jenna said, pointing her spoon at a couple walking by. "What's their story?" Cassie studied the pair for a moment. The woman was gesticulating wildly while the man nodded along, a slightly dazed expression on his face. "Hmm... She's an aspiring Broadway actress, and she's giving him a blow-by-blow account of her latest audition. He's actually a time traveler from the future who has no idea what Broadway is, but he's too embarrassed to admit it." Jenna snorted, nearly choking on her ice cream. "Where do you come up with this stuff?" Cassie shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? I contain multitudes." As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park, Cassie felt a reluctance to let the day end. It had been a perfect escape from the stress of work and her financial troubles. "We should do this more often," she said, helping Jenna pack up their belongings. Jenna nodded enthusiastically. "Definitely. Maybe next time we can try the rock climbing wall at the gym. I hear it's—" She broke off suddenly, her eyes fixed on something over Cassie's shoulder. "Uh, Cass? Do you know that guy?" Cassie turned, her heart sinking as she recognized the approaching figure. Tony, the loan shark she'd borrowed money from in a moment of desperation, was striding towards them with purpose. "Cassie, baby!" Tony called out, his voice jovial but with an undercurrent of menace. "Fancy running into you here. Enjoying your day off?" Cassie forced a smile, acutely aware of Jenna's confused gaze. "Tony, hi. What a... surprise." Tony's grin widened, revealing too many teeth. "I bet it is. You know, I've been trying to get in touch with you. Seems like you've been awfully busy lately." Cassie's mind raced, trying to find a way out of this situation without alarming Jenna. "Yeah, work's been crazy. You know how it is." Tony nodded sympathetically, though his eyes remained cold. "Oh, I know all about hard work. Speaking of which, I think it's time we discussed your... investment. It's maturing, if you catch my drift." Cassie felt a cold sweat break out on the back of her neck. "Right, of course. Look, Tony, I just need a little more time. Things have been tight, but I promise I'll have it soon." Tony's expression hardened. "Time's a luxury, sweetheart. And luxury costs extra, if you know what I mean. I've been more than patient, but my generosity has limits." Jenna stepped forward, her brow furrowed in concern. "Cassie, what's going on? Who is this guy?" Before Cassie could respond, Tony turned his shark-like grin on Jenna. "Tony Caruso, at your service. I'm a... financial advisor of sorts. Your friend here made a smart investment a while back, and now it's time to reap the rewards. Isn't that right, Cassie?" Cassie nodded stiffly, avoiding Jenna's gaze. "Like I said, Tony, I just need a little more time. Please." Tony studied her for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright, sweetheart. Because I like you, I'll give you one more week. But after that..." He let the threat hang in the air, unspoken but clear. With a tip of an imaginary hat to Jenna, Tony turned and sauntered away, leaving a tense silence in his wake. As soon as he was out of earshot, Jenna rounded on Cassie. "What the hell was that about? 'Financial advisor'? Cassie, please tell me you didn't borrow money from a loan shark."