"Emmeline dear, did you see the change bucket?" Gregory called out, "I will be taking a ride into town to get some necessities for the boy."
When Gregory called her she turned her attention toward him, "Hmm" Emmeline hummed. "Let me see, I know there is money somewhere around this house. I just don't remember where I saw it. It was never something of great importance." Emmeline went searching around the house while Gregory sat in the office with a piece of paper and a pen. So far on the list he had one item, toilet paper. what did humans need? He tried recalling when he was alive, much of the items they had in the home, they may be outdated but they were still usable, no need to buy things frivolously.
After some time Emmeline eventually found a small change purse and brought it over. She leaned over Gregory's shoulder, "add flour? We could bake bread and cakes. Let me check the cook book for additional food items. Maybe we can buy chickens for eggs? Oh! and some seeds so that we can plant food to save money?"
Gregory nodded and added the things to the list. Emmeline left the office and went to the library to search through the cook book to create the list.
Gregory watched her exit the room and then he dumped out the money from the little purse, there didn't seem to be a lot. He wondered how expensive everything would be, he was aware of inflation, they had talked about how much things had cost when they were alive. He counted out the money, just over 30 dollars, about what he would earn a week when he worked for the police force. They could make this work. They didn't have rent/mortgage to consider or electricity. They only had to feed the boy and there was plenty on the estate, so less food to buy. As far as clothes for the boy, there were boxes and wardrobes full of clothes, Emmeline could make and patch the clothes as necessary from what was already in the house. As Gregory thought about it, they certainly would be able to have this last. In the meantime they will figure out how they can make money to support the boy until he was able to take care of himself.
Driving the boy back to his house they had passed several farms, he could talk to them about it. Maybe a cow or a goat for milk? They could sell furs from the meat they hunted or see what they could sell around the house for additional money if they needed any.
Gregory leaned back in his chair and put his arm over his head. This was going to be a lot of work. It wasn't like when he was alive. But, he promised the boys father and he certainly wouldn't break his promise.
Emmeline entered the office with the book and observed Gregory with this eyes closed. He looked worn out? Was that the right world Emmeline thought to herself. "Gregory are you okay?"
Gregory removed his arm from his head, opened his eyes and looked directly at Emmeline, her face was worried. He smiled dimly, "This is going to be tough."
"What do you mean? We have some money? Its not like we have to start from scratch?"
"True, we have over 30 dollars, we don't know what inflation is like." Gregory shook his head and rested his head on his fist. "When Ania gets back from playing, I will head to the store and pick up the necessities, we'll go from there."
"I think that sounds like a lovely plan. We have to start somewhere."
During the later part of the conversation Ania and Matt entered the house. When he heard them concerned about money his young head peeked in, "Can't you just use a credit card?"
Emmeline furrowed her brows while Gregory looked angry or upset, maybe a cross between the two. "Absolutely not, I will not be taking credit out for groceries, that is absolutely ridiculous." He spoke, Matthew thought it sounded like his 'dad voice' when no means no and don't ask again.
"Are we going to the store?" Ania asked.
"Mm, go get in the car, I'll be there shortly."
Matthew wanted to go too, but he knew the answer was going to be a firm no and therefore didn't even bother.
Gregory closed the main door behind him (he had the coins, he couldn't just float through it) and Matt looked out in longing.
"They'll be back shortly, a quick trip to the store to pick up some necessities." Emmeline spoke firmly even though she too wanted to go to the store with them.
"Yeah." He trailed off.
***
In the car Gregory focused on driving, everything was so different, fortunately they had passed several grocery stores on their way to Port Huron. Ania was distracted by the world cruising by her. To her eyes everything was amazing. She wasn't stuck to the house in the same way Emmeline was, but she rarely left the estate, she didn't see the point.
Ania clicked her shoes together, her feet not being able to reach the floor of the vehicle. "Can I be visible in the store with you?" She asked as they pulled into the lot.
"Yes, but stay close, okay?"
She nodded and exited the car like any other girl. Gregory walked to the side holding out his hand. Ania smiled as she held his hand and they walked into the store like any normal father daughter pair.
She looked up at Gregory, who had a determined look on his face. Some people gave them strange looks, but the ghost pair ignored them. They followed the signs for baking supplies. The stores were so full of items and such a wide range that it had almost left them in a state of shock. The sugars alone had more than 20 options. They just wanted sugar for goodness sakes! When he found the price of the sugar, he nearly screamed out loud, almost 2 dollars! Four next was a 1.50. Gregory was doing mental calculations in his head and their 30 dollars was not going to last long at all! Now to the toilet paper. When he noticed the cost of the packages he nearly dropped the flour and sugar. Ania who noticed his reactions squeezed his hand, enough to get his attention. Gregory calmed down and decided to just pick up a single roll, this would have to suffice for the boy, between these three items they were already going to spend 4.50. So expensive!
Gregory would have been sweating if that was in is repertoire. "I think this is good for now, will you hold the sugar, since you are so sweet?" Gregory joked and Ania rolled her eyes taking the sugar from him.
Ania and Gregory overheard a couple of ladies behind them, "how sweet."
"Such a sweet father."
Gregory smiled at the ladies and then headed to the front of the store to pay. When it was their turn they set their items on the conveyor belt moving the items down the line (they were amazed).
"4.79" the woman said "Cash or Credit."
"Cash of course", he fished some coins and a 2 dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to the young lady.
"Um sir, we can't take this, I'm sorry."
"How come?"
"Because this isn't real money."
Gregory took the money back looking at it closely, how was this not real money he thought to himself? He didn't want to make a scene. He left his items and headed back to the car. What was he going to tell Emmeline?
As he was exiting the grocery store he noticed the bank within.
"Excuse me ma'am, is this real money?" Gregory asked as he thrust the money into her hands.
The woman raised her brows and then looked at the money. Gregory was lucky, because this woman was a coin collector and this was so much better than legal tender.
"Sir, yes it is real, were you trying to use it and they wouldn't take it?"
"Yes."
"Why would you want to spend this?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"This is antique and super valuable, if you sold the money, it would be worth more for you."
Gregory formed and O with with mouth. "Ma'am, one more question, where would one go to sell this money?"
"I would try online, or if that is not your thing go to one of the antique stores they would definitely be able to help."
"Do you know where I could find an antique store?"
"Yes, actually let me do a search for you and print off the map."
She handed the map to the woman and they said their goodbyes, he would definitely have to speak with Emmeline about it. It was real money, but it was worth more? He couldn't quite wrap his head around the idea and shrugged his shoulders and headed home.