“Could I get a 16-ounce almond milk latte?”
She rings up the order. She is not wearing a mask. I am not wearing a mask.
“Sure.”
This café opened a few months ago. It’s my first time here.
She rings up the order. She is not wearing a mask. I am not wearing a mask.
She enters the amount I owe on a chip reader, but I tell her I am paying cash. She hits the cancel button on the machine.
I hand her a ten-dollar bill. I am not scared to touch the viral particles on the one-dollar-bills and some coins that she will hand me in exchange.
We’re both smiling. It’s a whole new world.
RETROFLASH/100 WORDS
Dale Borman FinkDale Borman Fink retired in 2020 from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA, where he taught courses related to research methods, early childhood education, special education, and children’s literature. Prior to that he was involved in childcare, after-school care, and support for the families of children with disabilities. Among his books are Making a Place for Kids with Disabilities (2000) Control the Climate, Not the Children: Discipline in School Age Care (1995), and a children’s book, Mr. Silver and Mrs. Gold (1980). In 2018, he edited a volume of his father's recollections, called SHOPKEEPER'S SON.
Characterizations:
been there, funny, moving, right on!, well written
Let’s keep smiling Dale!
I like this depiction of one small encounter that has such big meaning. Have we come through to the other side? Let’s hope so!
Simply Succinct.
Perfect description of how one small encounter makes you feel like you are in a whole new (old) world. Hope I can get there soon.
May the good news continue, Dale.
A simple encounter that speaks volumes these days.
After two shots and two boosters, I too am feeling a bit devil-may-care! With close friends who are also not science-denying nitwits, I think the risk acceptable. Among the MAGA-infested herd, I still wear a mask, mainly to protect others and annoy the Trump voters.