I like to think karma works.
I went to Michael’s today; I had a 40%-off coupon that was ready to expire. I found myself wandering the aisles: knitting needles? Canvas? Frames? This isn’t my regular Michael’s (God help me, I have a “regular”), so when I stumbled across the clearance section it was a surprise.
They had these fantastic stretched-canvas prints, regularly $34, on for $10. C and I were just talking about adding some new decorations to the house, so it was perfect timing. I found a great little piece for the kitchen:
We tend to seek happiness
when happiness is actually a choice
Since it was on clearance, I couldn’t use my coupon, which expires tomorrow. So on my way to the checkout, I offered it to a couple of women who were still shopping. It made me feel nice, and that alone would have made my afternoon a little brighter.
But.
I got to the checkout and the cashier scanned the canvas. “That’ll be one cent.”
“Pardon?”
She turned the screen so I could see it. “One cent.”
I asked her a couple of times if that was right. She even re-scanned it, just in case. It came up the same every time.
The funny bit is that I never carry cash, and I literally had no money on me. I had to ask her to tuck it behind the register and hold it while I went to rummage through the car.
I got back inside and waited in line again, already getting the sinking feeling that the other cashier had probably spoken up after I left. Would I bother to argue if she quoted me the ten-dollar price I’d expected?
I approached the till. The cashier had a big smile by this point. “One cent, please.”
I plopped a single penny in her palm, and she handed me my receipt.
I like to think it was good karma for doing a small kindness for someone. The new picture looks great under the martini in the kitchen…
…and now when I look at it I’ll smile, since it comes with its own story.
Bonus ZoeyBomb:
PS – When she handed me the receipt, the register had printed another 40%-off coupon. Double score!
sniderwriter 