Jimmy quickly pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket and began to straighten each bill before putting them in some semblance of order.  As he organized his newly earned wealth, he couldn’t help but grin knowing he probably had more money in his little stash than his parents ever had, yet he was just shy of his 18^th birthday.  Once arranged, he reached up and behind a stack of dust covered books and pulled down a small coffee can.  Inside, he pulled out a large bundle of bills and wrapped the new ones around before using a rubber band to secure the tight bundle.  After the bills, he grabbed a hand full of coins from his pocket and dropped them in the can also.  Seconds later, the cash was secured in the safest place he could find, and he felt the tension in his shoulders release.

Pushing open the front door of the farmhouse, he stepped out on the porch and sat on the stairs leading down to the yard.  First glancing toward the barn, it wasn’t long till his gaze traveled to the side of the house and the well where he had first found out his granddad was sick.  His granddad hadn’t lasted but six months after that date.  While Jimmy had tried to raise money thought petty theft and shoplifting, the illness had come on too fast and taken his grandfather before any significant treatments could be afforded.  After that, his focus had been on taking up the slack around the farm to reduce the burden on his grandma and the extra cash he had been raising made sure she was able to stay current on the bills while building him a nice little nest egg for the future.

The thievery was intoxicating and addictive.  He wasn’t sure if it was the money or the adrenaline that was more addictive, but in the back of his mind, he knew it was the later.  He wasn’t spending the wealth he had obtained and had no real visions of what he wanted to do with it.  For now, keeping his grandma comfortable and sheltered was his biggest goal.  But he wanted more.

The following week, Jimmy was dropping off a case of recently “procured” eggs at a dinner when something caught his attention.  As the owner was getting cash from the register, Jimmy saw a black sedan pull up and park in front of the business.  A man stepped out from the car and Jimmy was instantly mesmerized.  Growing up on a farm and rarely venturing far into the depths of the city, he had rarely seen men dressed in full suits.  But this gentleman was something more than that.  The grey suit seemed to fit him perfectly and sunlight reflected up from polished shoes.  His mustache was neatly trimmed, and his hair was slicked back and to the side without a single hair out of place.  But most importantly, the man’s eyes were full of confidence, if not to the point of arrogance.

Jimmy stared at the man from the safety of the kitchen and watched as he stepped inside, then immediately saw who he as looking for and quickly walked over and greeted the man in the booth.  Jimmy had seen the man in the booth before, but he was the opposite of the well-dressed man.  His hair was disheveled, and his clothes were wrinkled, but appeared to be clean. 

As the well-dressed man prepared to sit, he removed his coat and Jimmy’s heart seemed to race as he saw the man had a shoulder holster with a revolver secured to his side.  Glancing around nervously, Jimmy wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but was shocked at how brazenly the well-dressed man flaunted the weapon.  Others glanced up and then away as if this was a common sight, yet Jimmy felt a rush of excitement begin to replace the nervousness.

Jimmy jumped when the owner bumped his arm before saying “Here kid, as we agreed.  Can I plan to get this deal every week?” 

Jimmy took the money but didn’t take his eyes off the two men as the casually talked.  Jimmy startled again when the owner grabbed his arm and said “He kid, so?  You good for a delivery each week?” 

Jimmy replied “Yeah, sure” before pausing.  Then he asked “Hey, who are those two?” 

The owner looked over in the directly Jimmy was staring and said “Well, that’s Old Bill.  Not sure who the other stiff is, but I’m sure he’s part of the Family.” 

Jimmy cocked his head sideways a little and asked “Family?” 

The owner shrugged his shoulders then said “Yeah, Old Bill retired from the Family several years ago.  Most people don’t leave the Family, but rumors say that Old Bill earned the Family A LOT of money and with that, the right to retire.  He doesn’t talk much, but you know what kid, that man is loaded with dirty money.” 

This comment had peaked Jimmy’s interest even more, so he asked “How do you know if he doesn’t talk?  And how do you know it’s dirty money?” 

The owner let a smug grin come across his face before he said “Every day he eats breakfast here and every day he pays for the meal with a single $5 bill.  I try and give him change and he refuses every time.  That’s nearly ten times what I would normally charge for breakfast.  Yet he gladly pays it and just smiles.  As for the second question……Anything associated with the Family is going to be dirty”.

TO BE CONTINUED