You Have My Gratitude

“No thank you” I spoke in answering whether I wanted my till receipt , No ! wait ‘ but there is a ( thank you for your service) but no I don’t need the receipt. I slow my breath briefly ‘look down then lift my head after the pause in thought . “I’ll say this in its-stead ‘ pointing my finger to an imaginary white board ‘that only my minds eye can actually see , “Thank you but no”, wait that’s not right either as the ‘but’ implies a condition to me giving you some gratitude, ( a slight hesitation) So ask me again’ ‘this time I think I have it . A Long silence and a nervous look back from the adolescent servicer: With quavering words and the slightest upward inflection ‘the question is asked for the last time ‘ Probably a good idea as the queue is getting restless and hostile. Holding my hand up and tilting my head at a jolly angle i reply “Thank you ‘no”