After waiting impatiently for the next cashier, he made his way to the front. “Can you break this into change for the parking meter?” he said, handing a $10 bill to me, the young cashier. Nervous and timid at my new job at the chain pharmacy, I was not prepared for conflict. “I’m sorry, I can’t make change. I can only give change when you buy something.” “That’s stupid. Okay, I’ll buy this gum.” I ran it through, gave him $8.60 change. “I don’t want it, give me a refund.” I began to sweat. Come on, I’m just a kid.
Pamela Bowes is a retired social worker and college professor living in Ontario, Canada. She enjoys riding her bike and swimming in the local lake.