The other side

      Minton nudged the old man on the bench. He raised a camouflage green canteen to the elder's lips. “ I just filled it from the fountain at town hall. Ice cold, Otto.”

     Otto pushed the bottle away. “I'm so confused I can't even think.”

     Minton shrugged. “You ain't gotta think, you just gotta drink. It ain't your problem”

     “ I mean, the suit just out and out said they ain't gonna help?”

     Minton took a long swig of water. “Yeah,  pretty much .”

     Otto struck his cane on the sidewalk. “You're a good kid. A good soldier.  Followed orders though and through. I can't believe they treat you like this. I mean you're a fucking hero.”

     “Slow down, Otto, I ain't no hero.”

     “You got guts, kid, just going over to that shit hole.  For what? To protect the interests of the rich that's for what. You pay your dues, you get fucked so you can't work and they just leave you for dead. Why, cause now you're costing them money. The cash is always greener on the other side for them ungrateful bastards.”

     Minton reached into his jeans and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Don't worry, Otto, I got a plan.”

     Otto leaned his head back to scratch the stubble covering his Adam's apple. “ What? Call the president?”

     Minton unfolded the paper and stared at the scribbling. “ If they ask questions you know nothing, ok?  You're not involved.”

     “What's all this top secret confidential shit. You still got Army of the brain,” said Otto.

      Minton handed the paper to Otto who read the note and dropped his cane.

     “Not a word, “ said Minton.

     “I know you got issues , kid, but this is crazy. Totally fucking crazy,” said Otto.

     “I give the gal the note with my hand in my pocket like I'm packing. She gives me the money and I blow. Now here's the beauty of the deal.”

     Otto winced. “There's nothing beautiful here.”

     Minton pointed to the bank on the corner.  “It's beautiful over there. I get away with a couple of grand and I got enough to buy some time. I get caught I plead insanity on account of shit that went down in Iraq. They put me in a hospital till I get better. Three square meals a day. Worst case scenario I go to jail. You see how them convicts look after prison?  Muscles on muscles, Otto. It's a win win.”

      Otto reached down for his cane and rose slowly. “Kid, let's think about this.”

     Minton shook Otto's hand.  “It's all good, don't worry. I got it down.”  He hitched up his jeans and turned to jog towards the bank.

     “Kid,” shouted Otto. “What if they shoot you ? Kid, this ain't good.”

     Minton yelled back over his shoulder, “ Better yet, Otto, it's always greener on the other side, right?”