A Quarter Short

I rarely pay for things in cash, Although some stores prefer it. They charge more for a credit card, So customers deter it. But at the local bagel shop, I placed my morning order And realized that, when tallied, I’d be somehow short a quarter. I asked the counterman to please Remove one single bagel, To prove I wasn’t out to, By some method, well, finagle. He smiled and said, ‘You’ll bring to me The quarter when you’re able,” Not wanting to deprive me of A bagel at my table. I walked back home and quickly grabbed A quarter from the pile And at the shop, I plunked it down, Which earned a startled smile. The whole exchange reminded me Of childhood; before supper, To hit the grocer’s for some bread, I was the picker-upper. I carried change and worried that I might be short some money. The fact it happened now, not then, Is really kind of funny.