Shadrack almost flipped out when she laid a hundred dollar tip down. That was a solid 
day's pay and she was throwing it at some waitresses. He was unsure if she was some 
sort of saint for doing so, or just so rich that it hardly mattered to her. Either 
way, it was something all right. He would have been wise to remember that potentially 
rich daughters generally have rich parents, that do not approve of gypsy boys wooing 
their daughters, but then he had never been the wisest guy around.

His mother was done negotiating with the manager, and walked over to him. "Shad, I'm 
going to stay and work a shift, O.K.? They are short handed today." She did not need 
to tell him her opinion of his breakfast companion. Her distaste was in her eyes. 
"Come back and get me at four, when my shift ends." Just like that, she had and her 
job, and Florence was already taking off her apron and heading out the door, to rejoin 
what was left of what was supposed to be her regular day off.

Shad nodded and took another sip of his coffee, wishing his mother was not going to be 
hovering over his conversation with the girl, asking if he wanted more coffee and 
such. He knew her only to well. As it was, girl or no girl, he was going to blow the 
dinner and get to the library, rather than waiting around for his mother's little 
show.

"My ma," he mumbled, drinking up the last of his coffee. "I'm here to get work. I'm 
a mechanic, but I got to get my GED out of the way first." He knew his mother would 
already have negotiated their meals into the deal, so there was nothing to pay for. 
Florence was already gone, meaning he did not need to leave a tip. The only thing 
keeping him there, and it was big draw, was the girl.