We both stared at the 2 $5 bills. Mamma was in shock. She didn't know what to say except I heard her say under her breath "thank you, god."
I smiled. It made me happy that she was happy.
She let out a relieved sigh and said, "Well, this will get us through for a few months. We can even buy new equipment and repair the entrance."
"Good idea."
"I'll need to ask someone to repair that then. We don't want any burglars coming in through at night."
It was when mamma finished when a young girl came in, looking around at the entrance in distraught.
"What happened here?"
"Ethel! Ah, yeah, that happened. Don't mind it though, it's just temporarily. We'll get it fixed soon."
"I hope so. It looks worse outside. I just came to make sure you guys were ok."
"Mamma, who's this." I whispered to her.
"Didn't I introduce you to her???"
"No."
"Well, her names Ethel Ruth. She helps out every once in a while here."
"Didn't know."
"Are you Mrs. Payne's son?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
Ethel smiled and extended her hand in greeting.
"It's nice to finally meet you..." she trailed off, realizing she didn't know my name.
I shook her hand and replied, "Chase. The names Chase."
"Right. Chase. Got it."
My hand went back to my side. I glanced over at mamma and saw the strangest face between contempt - as well as extremely happy.
(Yes she was fangirling.)
"Now that both of you have met, how about you hang out together to get to know each other a little bit more."
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"I'd love that~"
"I don't." Why would I hang out with someone I barely knew? Was this mammas way of getting me friends?
I mean...I thought they kinda just...come to you. I don't know.
"And in the mean time, I'll have someone repair the entrance." She whispered into my ear and said, "If you hang out with her I won't make you study."
"Deal."
"Well then, it's settled. Ethel, I trust you'll take care of him when you go out, yes?"
"Uh...sure. Should we go then?"
"Fine."