where's the money?

on her
bed, dying,
or feigning death,
one can
never be sure,
your mother
sighs
and takes
your hand
while
your sister
leans towards
her and whispers,
she asks, do you have
any hidden
money. where
is your stash
mom.
this makes
your mother
live a little
longer, sitting
up and taking
in a spoonful
of hospital
tapioca.
the meters jump,
her heart races
and her vital
signs
stabilize,
all the lights
go green
for a while,
until the
next sister
arrives with
her son and his
trombone.