The Five Dollar Bill

The Five Dollar Bill by Abigail R. LoCascio
Georgia fingered the five dollar bill.

She'd paid rent and the light and water bills. It was summer so she didn't have to pay for heat. She'd bought bread, milk, eggs, ham and a head of lettuce at Save and Go, and had gotten $5.22 back in change. This was it till Friday. She tucked the money into her back jeans pocket and left for work.

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The skateboarder tailed Georgia lazily. He saw a corner of money peaking out of her back pocket. He hadn't had a smoke all day, because he had no dough. Skating close, he pretended to bump into her and while both tried to regain their balance, he expertly lifted the fiver from her back pocket. He excused himself politely and skated past her, leaving Georgia unknowingly broke on a Monday.

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Skateboarding to a convenience store a few blocks away, the young thug thumped the bill on the counter. After aquiring a pack of cigarettes, he was gone. A few moments later, an older gentleman ducked into the convenience store for some snacks and soda for his visiting Grandson. He soon exited with $5.56 in change, and the snacks. Climbing into the car he handed the soda and the five to the boy.

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A couple days later the boy bought candy and a magazine from the bookstore in the mall, with the five dollar bill. An hour later a wealthy young woman left the bookstore, laden with 3 books, 2 magazines a mocha latte cappucino and $5.85 in change.

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That afternoon she visited the salon where Georgia worked as a hair-dresser. After getting her hair cut, dyed and styled, and had her nails done, she paid the salon manager and flipped a five to Georgia for a tip. She left without a backward glance.

Georgia fingered the five-dollar bill.