Submitted by Larry S. from Springfield, Ohio.
$5.37! That’s what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell said to me.
I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes, and something that used to be a Jolly Rancher. But having already handed the kid a five dollar bill, I started to head back out to the truck to grab some change. However, before I could get to the door, the kid with the Elmo hairdo said the worst thing anyone has ever said to me:
He said, “It’s ok, I’ll just give you the senior citizen discount.”
I turned to see “who” he was talking to and then heard the sound of change hitting the counter in front of me.
“Only $4.68” he said cheerfully.
I must tell you that I stood there stupefied. I am 56, not even “60” yet!! Why, I’m still a young “whipper-snapper!” A Senior citizen? No way! So I took my burrito and walked out to the truck wondering, what was wrong with Elmo. Was he blind?
Now I’ve gotta’ tell you that as I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil. Old? Not me! And my feeling began to simmer; I’ll show him, I thought. And out of my truck I climbed, and I opened the door to that Taco Bell, and headed straight back inside. I want you to know that strode directly up to the counter. And would you know, there he was, waiting with a smile.
Before could say a word, he held up something and jingled it in front of me, like I could be that easily distracted! And I thought, “What am I now, a toddler?”
