I just went home. Seven days later, I understood that some things you do when no one is watching have a way of being seen. It was a rainy night.
My mom had called earlier to say we were out of milk, so I stopped by the store on my way home. I was already at the checkout with a carton in my hand when it happened. The mother at the checkout had three kids with her: a toddler in the cart, a small one holding her jacket, and the oldest, a girl who I’d guess was about eight, standing at the end of the belt.The woman’s card declined the first time, and the cashier tried it again. It declined again. And without being asked, the woman quietly started moving items back to the other side.
Milk. Apples. A box of cereal with a cartoon rabbit on the front.
