Five Dollars

Ed smiled at his pensive granddaughter. "A penny for your thoughts?" 

Ellen smiled back. "How about five dollars?"

"That's a little steep, isn't it?"

“Depends on how badly you want to know,” the nine-year-old responded with a grin.

Ed looked at Edna, who suddenly remembered she had something on the stove.

Ed forked over the five bucks. "OK, let's have it."

Young Ellen paused. "It's just something Grandma said."

Ed grew impatient. "Spill it out already."

"You won't be mad?" Ellen pleaded.

"I won't. I promise."

"She said I should try to trick you out of five dollars."