Again, it beeps. Lifting the card, words I absolutely do not want to see are stamped in bold black capitals across the screen. DECLINED. “You got another way to pay?” His tone is accusatory, and as he exhales sharply the guy slaps the counter. What a grade-A asshole. “Um. Just give me a second.” A tightness forms in my throat as I grab my purse and start making a show of rummaging through it for the alternative payment method that I know fully well doesn’t exist.
