Money — A Way to Use It
Pop said, “Since you mentioned the money from the can, how about we count it up?”
I ran over to the can, and it wasn’t heavy anymore. “Pop, you used the money for food already?”
“No, but I did count it out for you. Open the can and see how much you kids made.”
With that, I opened the can. There were bills in the can. I put my hand in and pulled the bills out. Pop told me the look on my face was one he had never seen before. I looked up at Pop and said, “We made this much?” There was over $200 (I can’t remember the exact amount). “We couldn’t have made this much. You must have added something to it?”
Pop looked at me with a big smile, “No, I didn’t add anything. I’ve been taking out some of the coins to keep the can from getting too heavy. That must be why you thought you didn’t make that much. That’s what the three of you collected from the pony rides.”
“I can’t believe we made this much! Well, this is great. You have a lot of money to help pay your bills now.”
Pop said, “I know this is what we talked about for the money, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to use this money to get something for the farm, but it’s going to be for the three of you.”
“Pop, you need the money. You had to pay for Togo’s food, and that wasn’t cheap,” I told him.
He replied, “It’s okay. He didn’t eat too much. I want you three to get something special that you all can share, and I have something in mind.”
“What?” I asked, but he wouldn’t tell me. “So this is going to be another surprise?”
He said, “Yes, but I will tell you it is something that you’ll have to take care of.”
“When will this animal arrive? Can you tell me?”
“Yes,” he said, “but not a definite date. It’ll be about two more weeks. That’s all I can say. I’ll tell you when I find out the day we will be getting him.”
“Oh, Pop, I don’t think I can wait two weeks not knowing! Please tell me!”
He relented, “Okay, two weeks is a long time. It’s a billy goat. He’s too young right now to come over.”
“Really? Can we go see him before he comes?”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll call my friend and ask if we could go over tomorrow after school as it’s too late today. So tell your sister and Norman, and I’ll tell your mom. I’ll pick the three of you up after school.”
“Okay, that sounds great. I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’ll go feed the cats, then I have to go home for dinner. I’ll see you tomorrow at three,” I said. I told him I loved him, which I think he knew.
I went out the door with the dish pan in my arms, and the cats came running. I fed them in the basement. I had about six plates, and I filled them all. They were well-behaved; they never fought over the food. They would wait their turn. When they finished eating, they’d walk over to me and jump on my lap. This was the part I loved so much. After they were all done, I would pick up the plates, put them in the dish pan, wash them, and then bring the plates back downstairs for the next day. Now my chores at the farm were done. I always saved some time for the cats before I went home. I would sit on the front porch, pet the ones that came to me for a short time, and then head home.