Short on Time

Chapter 60

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Central City Speedster 500 is about to begin. But first, I've got five-to-one odds Barry takes down Wally. Any takers?" Cisco asked making me laugh, I thought he was joking, but he wasn't.

"Are we betting again? We saw how that worked out last time, didn't we?" I asked referring to the Oliver and Barry incident with Prism.

"Game of speculation?" Iris asked.

"Are we-we're betting?" Caitlin asked.

"Yeah, no, I'm in. On my Earth, financial wagering was banned after an unfortunate incident with Vice President Al Capone," HR said happily.

"Well, lucky for you, you live here now," Iris said. "Put me down for 20 for Barry."

"Joe, got to be in it come on," HR said.

"No, not me. That's a Sophie's Choice I'm not gonna make," Joe said.

"Ginger?" HR asked.

I shook my head, "I am not betting."

"$80 on Barry. Mama needs a new confocal microscope," Caitlin said making me laugh.

"All right, H.R., you put your life in my hands, so I know for a fact you like high stakes. How much you in for?" Cisco asked.

"Wallace's recent speed tests ensure that he is a lock. Put me down for an Abe Lincoln," HR said and we all gave me a blank look. "Uh, 100. Whatever 100 is on this Earth, put me down for that."

"Guys, we're ready," I told them.

"All right, all right. All bets are in, and may the odds be ever in your favor. Gentlemen, start your engines," Cisco said looking at me.

"Ready?" I asked. "Get set. Go!"

"At the first marker, one-third of the way in, Flash is in the lead or is that Kid Flash? Kid Flash!"

"Come on, little Joseph, go."

"Come on, mama needs a new pair of shoes."

Joe and I shared as a look as the team competed as if they were watching a horse race, "this is hillarious."

"Come on, Wallace, down the lane!"

"I think he's done this before," Iris told me.

"Ooh, second marker. Wally's in the lead."

"Yeah, Wallace! That's my boy!" HR cheered.

"You mean that's my boy," Joe corrected.

"That's your boy," HR changed. "I want to double down. I want to double down on that right now."

"Oh, H.R., big spender," Cisco laughed. "You serious?"

"Serious? Serious as a heart attack, Rich," HR answered gleefully.

"Guys, they're neck and neck," Iris said.

"And almost at the finish line," Caitlin added. 

"Oh! Oh, yes!" Iris cheered as Barry crossed first. "Pay up."

"Do you guys take IOUs?" HR asked.

Come on, man, that didn't count.

~*~

"Are you sure you want me here, Joe?" I asked nervously as we waited for Cecile and Joanie. "I'm not exactly like your child in the same sense Iris, Barry, and Wally is."

Joe laughed as he patted my shoulder gently, "you are Barry's wife, therefore you are my daughter. Get used to it."

"Yeah, he basically means he gets to boss you around," Iris said.