$1.00

As I was pulling into the parking lot at Joann Fabrics for an hour of “kid free” time to look at fabric and patterns I saw a man waving his arms and looking really perturbed. I thought of parking in a different section, but I like parking on this particular side of the store. I don’t like for others actions to change my own. I was just getting ready to turn of the ignition when he spoke to me through the minivan glass. I rolled down my window and leaned over the passenger seat to listen while explained that:
1) He would not approach my car.
2) He needed Greyhound fair totaling something around $15.00 and so far he had $8.50.
3) He was not on “dope” or going to use the money he collected for any other purpose but to get a ticket out of Frederick (maybe I should have joined him).

He was agitated because he had apparently approached some Hispanics at the nearby Salvadoran restaurant who got upset with him. I told him I had a dollar, which really was all that I had on me, except for some change. He told me to toss it out of the car, he wouldn’t approach me or my vehicle. Really. I told him to just come get it as I leaned over the passenger seat handing it out the window. He already felt dirty enough, why make him felt worse by tossing it on the street and quickly rolling up my window?

Of course I will never know if what he said was true, and figure it’s just a dollar which won’t make or break me. I went shopping with the knowledge that I had a Joann Fabrics coupon in my purse so it would all work out fine.

After a long hour of shopping and comparing prices I approached the cash register with a cheap pattern and a few zippers. I pulled out my coupon and on further examination realized the coupon is good for next week. Ugh! The cashier, an older lady, said, “Well I have one here.” and pulled a coupon out of her apron asking if I wanted to use it on the pattern, the most expensive item. I said yes. When she looked at the total she said, “That’s weird. I thought it would have taken off more. It just took off a dollar.” I thought, “No, it took off the correct amount.”