Chapter 1 - The Empty Pocket
Alex checked their pocket. It was empty. This happened often.
Alex earned money doing small jobs. When the money came, Alex had it. Later, Alex did not.
Alex could remember some things the money was used for. A drink after school. Other times, Alex could not remember at all. The pocket was empty again.
That afternoon, Alex helped Sam clean the garage.
Sam saw Alex checking their pocket. “Lost something?” Sam asked.
“No,” Alex said. “It never stays.”
“What never stays?”
“The money.”
Sam stopped for a moment. “Did you tell it what to do?”
Alex shook their head. “It’s money.”
“That’s why,” Sam said.
That night, Alex put the money on the desk. There was not much. Alex moved one coin away from the rest. The rest went back into the pocket.
In the morning, the coin was still there.