He was in a buoyant mood. All the laboratory tests as a Medical Technologist intern were completed satisfactorily and he was not scheduled to be the part-time hospital orderly on the p.m. shift. He had a free afternoon.

“I think I’ll try taking the bus for the first time today,” he said eagerly as he left the laboratory.

First, he had to go to the grocery store which was just across from the hospital and right next to a gasoline station.

“36 cents a gallon? Gee, that’s expensive! I am glad that I don’t have a car!” he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief as he walked by the gas pumps.

Even though his grocery list was very short, he decided to pull a cart. Pushing one made him feel in control of something on wheels. He liked the vibration as it tickled his grips. The whirring of the wheels and the jingling of coins in his pocket enhanced his travel up and down the aisles.

He started pulling things from the shelves, making simple additions in the process.

“Hmm…this plus this equals this. I am still okay,” he talked to himself. “I think I have enough money for this last one.”

“Could you please show me the sub total each time you check out an item?” he told the cashier as he was pushing his cart inside the checkout lane.

“Okay.”

He watched with bated breath at the sub total as the cashier keyed in his items:
• 1 pound of grapes, 69 cents
• Loaf of bread, 25 cents
• Jar of strawberry jam, 25 cents
• Toothpaste, 77 cents
• 1 pound of apples, 59 cents

“Your total is $2.55,” the cashier said after the apples were keyed in.

“Huh? That’s $2.55 and you only have $2.32. How did you not add correctly?” he thought as blood drained from his startled face.

“I’m sorry, I need to return the apples. I don’t have enough money,” he said, wanting to disappear from embarrassment.

“I’ll pay for it. I know that he is with the hospital,” a soft voice chimed in after an almost eternal discomforting silence.

He turned around to check who said it. It was the woman who had been following him since he came in. Her kind face still sporting the same smile.

“Thank you, but I still need some change for my bus fare,” he whispered apologetically, not wanting to sound ungrateful.

“Oh, okay,” she hesitated. Her face now showing the I-know-how-you-feel smile.

He quickly emptied his pockets and laid down all the coins on the counter, still unfamiliar with the difference between a penny, nickel, dime, or quarter.

After allowing the cashier to pick the right combination, he thanked her. He turned around to give the kind woman a big Thank-You smile instead of the intended hug.

He dashed out of the store with his grocery bag and whatever was left of his dignity.

“Whew!” How did that happen? I thought you counted everything that you had in your pocket!” he exclaimed.

“You still want to take the bus?” he asked after regaining his composure.

Being determined, he proceeded to approach the nearby bus station.

“I allow myself one screw-up a day. Will my first bus ride then be a perfect adventure?” he wondered as a smile slowly formed on his face.