$17.50
By Mary Purdy
We are standing side by side at the counter when I hear her
say, “It’s my birthday today.”
I turn to her and squeal, “It’s my birthday today too! Happy birthday!”
There isn’t much of a
response. I think I hear a quick intake
of breath, but she doesn’t look at me. I
hand over my driver’s license to the woman behind the counter.
“You get half off
your entry to the spa today,” she says and I grin in anticipation of this
yearly treat I give myself. I can hear
my fellow Aquarian having the same conversation with another woman behind the
counter.
“I thought it was free on your birthday,” she says.
“Oh, no, we changed
that policy last year,” the woman behind
the counter responds. As I start to sign
the credit card bill for $17.50 I can see the woman next to me exiting the
building. I turn to the women behind the
counter.