The Adventures of a One-Dollar Bill

By TJ Yeomans

If our money could talk about the places it’s been, what would it tells us. Follow the travels of a one-dollar bill through these 53 short stories. You’ll meet Rachelle as she considers where life is taking her in Where Will You Been in Ten Years, or go with Henry as he prepares for a journey of a lifetime in You’re Never to Old to Start Again and many other characters as they tell their story.

Enjoy the trip.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TJ Yeomans
• Release date: Mar 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463107065

TJ Yeomans

Having a vivid imagination as a child, I began putting my ideas on paper in 2000. Since then I’ve had a lot of fun working with my characters as they tell their story. Now it’s time for them to venture out into the world for readers to enjoy. When I’m not at the keyboard, you can find me playing with fabrics to create fun and colorful quilts and other sewing projects.

Book preview

The Adventures of a

One-Dollar Bill

Copyright 2020 T.J. Yeomans

Published by T.J. Yeomans at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

A special thanks to my son Jason and my mom MaryAnn

These short stories were first published on Wordpress. Now I’ve collected them into a book for you to read and enjoy.

Contents

Introduction

Taking Different Paths

JANUARY

Where Will You Be in Ten Years?

Family Ties

Gratitude

What One Person’s Discards, Becomes Another’s Blessings

FEBRUARY

How Kind Words Can Make a Difference

Chain Reaction

Life’s Natural Order

Taking Care of Man’s Best Friend

MARCH

A Change in Heart

Life Is What It Is

The Art of Listening

One Track Mind

APRIL

For the Sake of Love

Striking a Balance

Spreading Kindness

A Family United

Standing One’s Ground

MAY

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

A Second Chance

Forgiveness Comes in All Sizes

A Journey of Healing

JUNE

Finding Your Passion

Turning Disappointment into Joy

The Saving Grace of Music

For Better or Worse

JULY

The Use of Good Judgement

Passing on a Life Lesson

Pay It Forward

Choices

Fancy Meeting You Again

AUGUST

You’re Never Too Old to Start Again

Bitter/Sweet Memoires

Sisterhood

Leaning What Is Really Important

SEPTEMBER

In Remembrance

Doing Things My Way

If a Door Closes, Look for an Open Window

Life Isn’t Always Fair

OCTOBER

Attempting to Right a Wrong

Optimist Vs Pessimist

Finding Home

Finding Treasure in a Pumpkin Patch

My Hero

NOVEMBER

Sent From Above

Clowning Around

A Stitch in Time

Celebrating Thanksgiving

DECEMBER

A Message of Love

Stepping into Someone’s Shoes

A Special Christmas Project

Community Soup Pot

The Committee

Introduction

Do you ever wonder what goes on in the lives of people when money exchanges hands? Follow along and see where a special dollar bill lands.

December 31st

Taking Different Paths

Hurrying into the store, Tracy purchased a few things she needed for tonight’s party. Guests would be arriving at eight for her annual New Year’s Eve gathering. Widowed for five years, she had reached out to others, so like herself, they wouldn’t be alone as the old year ended and a new one began. Accepting the change the clerk handed her, one of the dollar bills caught Tracy’s attention. Written in red on a one-dollar bill were the words: Smile, someone special loves you. Chuckling, she tucked the cash in her purse and hurried home.

Back in her kitchen, she began to blanch the spinach for the dip on tonight’s menu. About twenty people, which included her best friend Rachelle were on the guest list. The two women had known each other since high school, marrying the same year, had seen each other through thick and thin. Like Tracy, Rachelle now had been widowed for about three years. Much more of a social person, recently her friend had been venturing out to meet new people.

By eight Tracy’s house was filled with friends. Conversations were light and spirits high. The only price for admission was a dish, making food plentiful. As Tracy filled a plate, she noticed Rachelle talking with Bob. If memory served, he had lost his wife about the same time as Rachelle’s Charlie had passed away. Despite the man’s loss, Bob had a fun-loving nature and enjoyed being around people. A good match, Tracy thought, keeping the opinion to herself.

At midnight when the clock struck twelve, everyone cheered, hugged, or exchanged a quick kiss. Then a toast was made for a bright new year.

The following morning when Rachelle arrived to help with the cleanup, Tracy noticed how quiet her friend was. Is something the matter? she asked

Bob asked me out for a date? Rachelle remarked.

And what did you say? At the question, Rachelle looked away. You told me you wanted to meet new people, Tracy interjected. That you didn’t want to spend the rest of your life alone.

When Bob asked, I immediately thought of Charlie. Is that right or wrong?

That depends, Tracy replied. Are you comparing Bob to Charlie, or was it just a reflex. Contemplating her next comment, she continued. We both still miss our guys and probably always will, but they wanted us to live on and be happy. I think it only natural to think of Charlie. He was after all a part of your life for a long time. What’s more important is if you develop a relationship with Bob, you make sure to see Bob for who he is.

Can I ask why aren’t you out there dating? Rachelle inquired with concern, for in her opinion Tracy spent too much time alone.

Considering, Tracy answered. I have no need to. I’m very content to be on my own and have always enjoyed a sedentary lifestyle. For you it’s different. I admire your guts to go out there and be open enough to build a new relationship as long as it’s for the right reason. So, what’s the verdict on Bob?

A slow smile creased Rachelle's face. I’ll give him a call when I get home. Reaching for her wallet, Rachelle pulled out a five. By the way, I didn’t forget the four dollars I owe you.

An idea struck Tracy. Going to her purse, she pulled the bill she received from the store. Handing it to her friend, Tracy waited for Rachelle’s reaction.

For a minute Rachelle just stared. Grinning, she once more thought of her husband. Up in heaven Charlie was smiling down at her and wishing her the best life had to offer.

JANUARY

January 7th

Where Will You Be in Ten Years?

Setting her belongings on her desk, Rachelle suddenly realized she hadn’t packed a lunch for the day. Being off for two weeks during the school’s annual winter break had spoiled her. Opening her wallet, she spotted the dollar bill with the words Smile, someone special loves you, written in red across the front of it. Yes, someone did, and her deceased husband was in his own way, encouraging her to live life to the fullest.

By this time in her life, Rachelle had planned to be retired from teaching, but three years ago her beloved Charlie had dropped dead from a massive heart attack. Continuing to work at the time seemed a better choice. Now she wasn’t so sure. Recently she had taken a chance and opened the door to dating again. Glancing at the classroom clock, Rachelle realized that she’d have to brave the food in the cafeteria if she planned to eat today. Now it was time to prepare for her students.

When they started to shuffle in for the first-period class, Rachelle began to check names off her attendance sheet. Two girls were first to take their seats. Rachelle had learned from their papers they were best friends. Will they stay close or drift apart after graduation? Rachelle wondered. Carol was heading for a major university, while Macy hadn’t made any decision beyond getting her high school diploma. Next came the couple who were stuck to each other like glue and turned in very few assignments. Immediately they settled in the back row, while more students piled in. As soon as the bell rang, signaling the start of class, Rachelle went to the whiteboard to write: Where will you be in ten years?

Teaching twelfth grade English was a challenge. Even though it was a graduation requirement, she did her best to make the class interesting. To pass, all a student had to do was show up and he or she would earn a D, which was a passing grade, but Rachelle offered more to those who choose to participate. Since writing was one of her passions, she gave them a weekly short assignment to explore theirs and other lives, as well as the world around them.

Walking to stand in front of her students, she called out. For those who did the assignment over winter break, pass your papers forward. For those who still want a grade, I’ll accept this assignment no later than Friday, minus half a grade. In response, papers were passed forward. Taking the stacks, Rachelle set them on her desk. Who would like to answer the question on the board?

Immediately the class clown jumped up. My fellow Americans, he said doing his best to imitate past president Richard Nixon. It got a good laugh out of the class, and several people clapped.

Do you plan to rule the nation ten years from now Steve?

The young man took a bow. Nope. But I do like making people laugh. I hope to be in showbiz doing standup comedy.

This time a young woman raised her hand. I’m going to enter nursing school after I get my associate degree, Sally stated. I’d be the fourth generation to enter the profession in my family. I’d like to be working in emergency medicine at a major hospital in ten years.

Rachelle nodded, then pointed to another student. For me, it’s the Peace Core. My folks did that and got to see some interesting places in the world. I plan to be stomping around in some third world country. Others added in their choices as to where they hoped to end up. As for the couple in the back, they were too busy making love eyes at each other. Hopefully they were using protection, Rachelle prayed before calling on another student. Lindsay rarely raised her hand. My mom always said, she didn’t care if we were a ditch digger or brain surgeon as long as we ended up happy and productive. I’m still trying to figure out what career I want to follow, but I plan to take her advice.

I like that one, Rachelle responded.

I’m going to have a half dozen babies, Nicky said, then blew Bryon a kiss.

Now the young man choked. Six!

Decided this was a teaching moment, Rachelle stepped in. And who is going to support you and all those kids.

Turning to face the teacher, Nicky gave her a blank stare. Why Bryon will of course.

What if he can’t. What if he gets sick, or loses his job and can’t find work?

That’s not going to happen! Nicky demanded. Why are you raining on my parade?

She’s not. This comment came from Hal. Very active in school affairs, he was also invested in his church. Your saying life sometimes doesn’t turn out the way we planned. What about you? Where do you plan to be ten years from now?

Thinking of her husband, Rachelle put into words her thoughts without getting too personal. I can’t say. Life shifted for me three years ago when I lost my husband. His death has forced me to rethink my future.

Bummer man, one of her students chimed in.

Yes, it was. But I’ve learned life will go on with or without me. So I chose to live. In ten years. I plan to be retired, but for now, I’m still trying to figure out what that will mean for me. Glancing at the clock, she decided to change their next writing assignment. For your next paper, I’d like you to find an adult that is at least ten years older than you. Ask them to share with you what they think the next ten years will hold for them. As if on cue, the bell rang signaling the change of class. As the lovebirds walked by, Rachelle heard Bryon say to Nicky, We’re not having six kids! The girl’s angry retort was swallowed up by the crowd.

By lunchtime, Rachelle was ready to eat. Choosing a premade salad, she handed over money. In among the bills was the special one-dollar bill. As the cafeteria worker stuffed the bill in her drawer, another came over. Need change, her co-worker said, and the two made the exchange. Returning to her impatient students, the cafeteria worker sold the requested items. Macy bought a cup of yogurt. Shoving her change into her pocket, she didn’t see the writing on the bill. Setting at a table, she poked with little interest at the container of food. At the moment she had other things on her mind than what life would be in the future.

Hey, she heard and looked up to see a Carol dumping her stuff on the table. How’s your mom. You didn’t say this morning if she had the flu or something else?

Something else. She’s pregnant, Macy muttered. And excited about it.

Pregnant! Carol said in shock. What will that make in your family?

When this baby’s born, I’ll have six sibs. Taking a bit of her yogurt, Macy gave a snort of disgust about the future.

January 16th

Family Ties

Grabbing up her backpack from her last class for the day, Macy prepared to head home. Thankfully Carol had a car and was willing to give her a lift to and from school. Because of her grades, she was one of the few seniors who was given a parking permit for the small school’s student parking lot. In gratitude, Macy chipped in for gas. With a bit of envy, Macy thought of her friend’s family, for Carol was an only child.

When Carol pulled into her driveway, Macy thanked her for the ride. See you tomorrow.

Inside Macy found her mother in the kitchen. It was taco night, and there was hamburger browning on the stove. After greeting her mother, Macy headed for the room she shared with her two sisters. Each day, Lucy and Tilly followed her down the hallway. Like she did each day, Macy closed the door to her brothers’ room for it smelled like a gym locker.

The room she shared with the girls was a bit crowded with a set of bunk beds on one side and her single on the other. A long time ago she’d learned to keep anything of importance up on a higher shelf, for her two younger sibs were only six and four and very curious for their age. To accommodate her need for privacy, Macy’s parents had hung a curtain to divide the room, but Lucy and Tilly ignored it by walking around or crawling under the divider to be with their sister. In the end, Macy gave up and left it pulled back.

Digging the change from lunch out of her pocket, Macy set the money on her dresser. That’s when she spotted the writing. Unfolding the bill, she saw the words: Smile, someone special loves you. Leaving the one dollar sitting on of her dresser, Macy felt a slight surge of annoyance as Lucy chatted at her about this and that and Tilly tugged at her backpack. Tossing it on the bed, Macy picked Tilly up and began to talk to Lucy as she headed out to help their mother with tonight’s dinner.

To make meals easier, the family had a planned menu for each night of the week except Wednesday. On that night someone got to pick what the family would eat. It had been Macy turn to pick and she liked cooking, she’d gone for Chinese. As she dumped chopped vegetables into a large stir-fry, Macy began putting some thought into her English paper. Her mother qualified as someone that was ten years older.

Mom, Macy said when her mother came into the room to check the rice cooking in the rice pot. Where do you think you’ll be in ten years?

Pausing, Maggie considered. Patting her still flat belly, she answered. I guess I’ll still be raising my children.

During her English class, they had been discussing what the future held for them. The class sweethearts had been fighting about having the six kids Nicky wanted, and Bryon didn’t. Nicky had no idea what it was like living in a big family? "Is raising a large family all you ever wanted