For Love of Money (2nd Place)

George hobbled into the diner with his youngest grandson, Jayden. The diner had but four customers, so they were seated right away. They settled into a booth, and grabbed the menus situated behind the salt and pepper shakers.

“Order anything you want,” George stated matter-of-factly. He pulled out his wallet and thumbed through fifteen one hundred dollar bills in full sight of Jayden.

“OK. Thanks, Grandpa.” Jayden only glanced up, expressionless at the wad of cash.

“You getting along ok, Jayden?” He prodded the nineteen year old.

“Sure. Is something wrong?” Jayden fidgeted with his blue tooth ear attachment.

“No.” George’s brow furrowed in surprise. “Nothing wrong.”

“I think I’ll take the special. It’s a much better value. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah. It’s what I always get. With a chocolate shake sometimes for dessert.” A smile spread across his face, showing most of his dentured teeth.

The waitress stopped and took their drink orders – two chocolate shakes. She wrote down their orders and returned with their shakes.

George stirred the whipped cream into the ice cream, while Jayden mimicked him. They both placed the cherry aside for later.

“Why did you bring me out to lunch, Grandpa?”

“Well, to tell you the truth I’ve done this with all eight grandchildren -- You being the last. I’ve only got a few short years on this Earth left. The doctor said no more than three.”

“Come on. You’ll live for another twenty years.” Jayden showed no alarm at George’s statement. He sipped the thick ice cream up his straw.

“The other ones only talked about my will, and how much inheritance they’d get.”

“Really? That’s terrible. Give it all to them. I don’t mind.”

……..

Donna whispered into the mic attached to Jayden’s ear. “That’s great, son. That will ensure we get millions.”


298 Words
Flash Story Must contain: Inheritance, Alarm, Shake