'Money'

Chapter 59 - tattoos and IHOP

Three weeks later.

Cash and Money are out together, Cash is getting a new tattoo, a cover up of a tattoo he did in his teens.

After it's done, they leave the tattoo shop.
- Money? Is that really you? someone asks behind him.

Money and Cash turns around as one, the one who had spoken is Lance, a guy who was a cellmate with Money for a few months.
- Hey there, Lance, its been long, my friend, Money says.

Lance looks at Cash for a second.
- This must be your son, am i right? Lance asks. He looks just like you.
- This is my firstborn, Cash Harlon, his mother is Jackie Smith, well, Harlon now, do you remember her? Money says.
- Oh, yeah, i remember her, and i remember the hours you had with her in your cell, i still see the two of you in front of me whenever i close my eyes, Lance says.
- It was those hours we made this boy, Money says, putting a hand on his son's shoulder. Jackie was pregnant with Cash when i got out of prison, our hours in the cell happend about a week before i got out of prison.

Money looks at Cash.
- What do you say, junior, should we go have some lunch, you can pick where you want to go, Money says.
- Anywhere, dad? Cash asks.
- Anywhere, Money says.
- Can we go to IHOP? Cash says with a boyish smile.
- Don't tell mum, Money says. She doesn't think that stuff is good for you, but it's tasty.
- Dad, I'm grown now, Cash says.
- You are still my son, Money says. C'mon.

Money puts an arm around his son's shoulder and they walk back to Money's car and go to IHOP to eat.
- Can i pay, dad? Cash asks as they walk through the doors of IHOP.
- Can you? Money asks, amused.

Cash nods.
- Alright then, Money says. What do you want?
- I want the chicken & waffles with honey mustard, Cash says.
- Yum, that sound tasty, but i want the belgian waffle combo, what do you want to drink? Money asks.
- A pepsi, Cash says.
- You sure are your mother's son, i'll have a hot chocolate, Money says.

Cash waves at a waitress.
- Can we order, please? He says.

The waitress comes over to the table.
- Yes, what would you boys like? She says, trying to flirt with Money.
- When you've stopped flirting with my dad, i'd like the chicken & waffles with honey mustard and a Pepsi, Cash says. He isn't interested, by the way, plus there is that little detail that my mum would kill you if you even tried...

The waitress stares at Cash, oh yeah, he sees it, alright, and he doesn't like it. And Cash also sees what the waitress is thinking, that there is no way in hell that Money, who looks so young, can have a full-grown son.
- I'd like the belgian waffle combo and a hot chocolate, Money says. And yes, he is biologically mine.
- Right away, the waitress says and leaves to get the two men to go get their food. Oh.
- Good one, my son, Money says proudly. You may have my looks and hot temper, but you have your mother's sharp tongue and the same protective nature I've always seen in her.