Down on My Luck In Walmart

MARCH 1, 2009


"Let's go out," Laura, my sister said. She is a full time mom of a three year old that doesn't really get out much except maybe when I am visiting.

"Okay, lets go out." I said and grabbed my keys.

So we get in the car and I inquire as to where she wants to go out to. I was thinking maybe a movie, some icecream, a night club (well okay maybe not a night club since Laura is a devoute mormon.) Something other than......

"I want to go to Wal Mart," she said excited. I couldn't believe it. I quicky suggested a movie and she had a sad look on her face as if telling me, 'as long as we can go to Wal Mart.'

I decided that perhaps, since it is her night out, that we would do exactly what she wants to do. Wal Mart it is. I don't understand the big deal about Wal Mart but I wasn't about to question the simple desires of my only blood sister.

So we went to Wal Mart and she spent a great deal of time shopping for garden supplies. To which, at the last moment, went to check her checking account balance, only to discover that she had only six dollars in her account.

"Dang that Shayne!" she curses at her husband who is at home tending their only child, "he didn't deposit the check like I asked him too."

I felt sad when I saw the dissapointment on her face and wished that I would have brought in my purse, which was in the car, so I could help her out. She carefully put away all the items that she had in her cart, except the paper plates, and plastic forks and some shamrock stickers for St. Patrick's Day. Six dollars should cover this right?

We were waiting at the checkout line when Laura handed me the shamrock stickers that had printed on them "kiss me I am irish". She looks at me and hands me all of the change from her wallet.

"I dont want to risk going over six dollars so could you pay for this with my change?" she asks me.

"I guess so," I replied taking the change. I had no idea what I was about to get myself into.

"It should only be a dollar or so." she reassured me, "so this will be enough."

It was my turn to pay, I handed the cashier the stickers and smiled. He smiled back with a smirk on his face while reading "kiss me I am Irish."

"I am not Irish," I said joking. I am not sure why I said that except the look on the cashier's face was provoking some kind of response from me.

"That will be $1.67," the cashier said.

"Crap!" I said looking at him, "I only have one dollar in change."

Laura stepped back a few feet and started laughing histarically. She was laughing so hard I couldn't believe it. Taking joy in my humiliation.

"Do you have any more change?" I asked Laura.

She started laughing harder as she handed me about ten pennies. The cashier looked at her and seemed to be suprised and disguisted that Laura was laughing so hard at my misfortune. Luck of the Irish huh? Which leads me to another point, I haven't had any luck lately.

"Don't worry," the cashier said to me rendering up some needed sympathy which was lacking from my sister, "this happens to me all the time."

Laura started laughing harder.

Nevertheless, I had to eventually go out to my car and get my debit card to make the purchase. At least I was able to lighten up Laura's day. For ever since we were kids she took joy in humiliating me. This has always been her way, and it will probably never end.