Le Cash had worked many years
at the old State Cattlemen’s Bank...
He was the president’s fair-haired boy –
groomed for the job, but the bank he did rob...
Briefcase of money, he crossed the state line.
With that and the money, ‘twas a federal crime.
A fifteen-year-sentence… he got out in five -
a crime for which he paid dearly.
He lost his wife, his family and worth
and continued to pay for that clearly.
“I’ll pick Mr. Le Cash up first,” he said...
The driver pulled up to the curb.
She whispered to Bob, “Could that be him?
He’s still in prison, or else we’d have heard.”
Tall and lanky, he held an old hanky -
the man had lost much of his hair.
His face was sallow, breath was shallow...
She wanted to ask… did she dare?
He picked a seat and while still on his feet,
said, “I ride this Lift here and there.”
“Are you Tom Le Cash who worked at the bank
and, if so, do you recognize me?”
He squinted his eyes, paused and then said,
“No mam, I do not… and who might you be?”
“I knew it was you when I took the first look -
I was your secretary, Sara Lee Cook.”
“Now I remember, you did dress in style,
but what stood out most was that beautiful smile.”
“May I ask, how is it you ride this bus?
You don’t look disabled, but you look so pale.”
“The pneumonia hit hard and I have no car...
The doc got me qualified because I'm so frail.”
With a worried look, Sara Lee asked –
“Who takes care of you, who cooks your meals?”
“My daughter takes care of me…
She’s got some wheels…
‘See, when I was released, I landed a job
at a place I made loans to, the Thunderbird House.
The manager I worked with had much more in mind
and before I knew it, I had a spouse!
‘Fast-forward five – that woman who hired me –
all too soon she grew tired of me.
She took the dog, she took my guitar,
took all my money and then took the car.”
Funny, how things turn out.
©Lorene Rogers November 16, 2022
In my neck of the woods this is called "comeupkins" which is comeuppance by another name.