Page 85 of The Scout

“Because I love Hannah. I love Jimmy. And believe it or not, I’m quite fond of you. So what are we going to do to fix this? You do want to fix this, right?”

Rather than say anything, I blinked a few times. She shook her head. “Wow. Okay, I never thought I’d see the day when Cash Jameson threw in the towel. She gave you a second chance. I can tell you this, Hannah went after you once all those years ago, and I don’t know that my girl has it in her to do it again ... despite you being the love of her life.”

Mia walked toward the door but stopped when she spotted the gift Hannah had given me. “She was so excited to give that to you. For years, she kept a file of photos and videos for you. Even though she believed you didn’t want him as your son, she thought maybe one day you would. Imagine that ... she gave you the benefit of the doubt. Did you know that?”

“No.”

Mia set the box down and made her way to the door and opened it. She pivoted to look at me. “People make mistakes. Some are unforgivable, like what your dad did. But are you going to let a small misunderstanding—that she apologized for—break you guys up?”

“I don’t know. It’s not just a misunderstanding, Mia. Hannah doesn’t trust me.”

“Such a shame. I thought your love for her would be enough. Hate to say it, but you’re not the guy I thought you were. We all have regrets in life, Cash. Don’t let Hannah be one of yours.”

The door closed behind her, and after standing there awhile, I sat on the sofa and thought about Mia’s words. Too bad Hannah’s rang louder in my ear.

* * *

As soon as the bank opened Monday morning, I walked through the door to set up an account for Jimmy.

“Cash, it’s good to see you,” said Mr. Lima, whom I vaguely remember from when I lived here.

“Hi, Mr. Lima. Thank you. It’s good to see you too. Can we go to your office?”

A couple of tellers looked at me as I made it across the smallish space. There was only one customer at the counter, so they had a bit of time to be nosy.

We sat down, him behind his desk, me in a chair whose red pleather squeaked as soon as my ass hit it.

“I’d like to open an account, please.”

He moved his keyboard in front of him and began clicking. “What type of account will this be?”

“I’d like a high-yield money market for now.”

“Okay ...” He explained a few that would be best. Once I decided, he said, “Let’s fill this out. Then I’ll just need the deposit and signature. First things first, name of the account holder?”

“I’d like it to be a custodial account. James A. Hall in the care of Hannah Hall.” His eyes shifted from the screen to me. “Her middle initial is E.”

“Yes, right. I have the address. The account will need your name on it unless Hannah comes in and signs the paper. I can list her as a beneficiary in case anything should happen.”

My stomach dropped at the thought of something happening to Jimmy.

“Fine.” I had a feeling that he wanted to say something, but I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. I needed to get this done since I had other matters to take care of.

His pudgy fingers pecked at the letters and numbers. “The amount of the deposit?”

“One million.”

With his fingers hovering, he snapped his focus to me. “Did you say one million dollars?”

“Yes. Once I have the account number, I’ll transfer the money.”

I watched him swallow. “All right. Give me a moment.”

The small printer next to him whirred to life, spitting out several papers while we waited.

“I’m sorry about your injury.”

“Thank you.”

---