Small Packages

Small Packages She was so cute. Standing in the check-out line Pretty dark golden-brown skin Five foot tall? Not even that, I thought Seventy years old? Maybe more High top laced black shoes, Black stockings and skirt Black check with gold stripe skirt – Gold quilted jacket topped with a Red and gold sun hat -- brim turned downward Big smile, big glasses and soft voice Gentle and kindness exuded She was standing there to be checked out Her taupe vinyl purse was lying in the grocery cart The purse didn’t fit the image. I wanted to say, “Ma’am, you need to watch your purse:” That is until I saw her open her jacket right side.- I saw that she had on a jumper when She lifted her right hand and placed inside the jumper top “What is she doing?” I wondered Aha! From somewhere – I don’t know where – She pulled out a small unwrapped package secured with rubber bands. It was time to pay for her merchandise “Eight dollars and twenty-three cents,” the clerk said; Very carefully, the elderly lady unfolded her fives that were together Then, she unfolded her ones that were together And from a separate pocket she counted out the change. I could tell she had tens folded together and Twenties folded together – all denominations separate; It looked like her important cards were in the packet with the bills, “You sure are organized,” I said. “Things don’t go far now days,” she said, Smiling as she placed her small rubber-band secured bundle Back into “the someplace” inside her jumper top, Such a complete little package-- Decoy and all -Evelyn Pearl Carpenter Anderson April 10, 2014