7. Chez McDonald's

Boy, oh boy, do I love the bathroom in McDonald's.

I feel very light without my cart, sort of like a mother escaping from her baby. At first, it's wonderful, almost like flying, but only for a while. I know I'll be wanting to get back with my cart soon. At least I know it's in good hands. Cal is maybe the least distractable of all of us, downright steady for a mood swinger. He has a lot of focus. Even if a cop walks up, Cal stays calm. Marianne says it's because he is dissociated from reality. I wish I could be a little more dissociated from reality.

Anyway, when I get back from using up all the soap in McDonald's, my cart is right there next to Cal, where I left it, safe and sound.

"Wanna go to McDonald's?" Cal asks.

Whoa. Didn't I just go there?

"I got money!" he grins and holds up a five. "Me and Abe invite you to dine with us at Chez McDonald's!" He sweeps me a gentleman bow.

Okay then. I am cool, I am calm, I am not all excited about actually eating in McDonald's. Cal parks my cart by the window so we can see it and opens the door for me. I am the Queen.

Yeah, I was just in here, eyeballers. Stare all you want. We got money.

Cal marches up to the counter and tries to order a steak and baked potato. Then lobster. The kid at the register is confused.

"How about a Big Mac?" I say.

"Oh, yeah," Cal says dreamily. "A really big Mac!"

"And a chocolate shake?" I like those.

"Yeah, and a strawberry shake! And double fries and Mcnuggets and a salad and two apple pies and a McFish..." Cal rambles on in his actor voice, the kid foolishly trying to punch all the buttons on the register. I gently extract the five from Cal's hand and hold it up so the kid can see how much money we actually have. Kid stares at the five. Cal is still going. The kid stares some more. Finally the boss guy takes over, erases the register, and punches in what five dollars will buy.

Some of the people waiting think this is funny, others definitely don't. I personally am quite amused, which happens a lot around Cal, especially if he has that mouse in his pocket. At last we are seated at the garden table with our fine dinner of cheese burgers, fries, and the best cokes in town.

I wonder where Cal got the money.