Just another day

Even though this particular Japanese takeout place isn't known for great food, I love seeing this old lady who always greets me with a radiant smile. Despite her limited command of the English language, her warmth and kindness have attracted a lot of customers to this small joint located in this very Anglo area of Orange County.

The price tag for my lunch order came out to be $7.32. Since I only had a twenty dollar bill, I asked her to hold it while I excused myself out to my car in the parking lot to get some change.

There was plenty of pennies and nickles inside the cupholder. But they were caked in spilled Coke and dog hairs. It was disgusting.

Being a nice guy, I thought I'd wash them before handing them over to this very classy Japanese lady. Returned to the joint, and headed straight to the restroom. Dropped the coins in the sink and soaked them in water for a few minutes to dissolve the fossilized dog hairs and Coke and heaven knows what else.

Finally I made my way back to the counter and placed the coins in her hand. She winced a bit:  Turned out that some were still glistening with moisture. Apparently I did not do a very good job of drying them with the paper towel.

"Oh, I had to wash them."

Her face turned ghost white. Gone was her smile.

She had just seen me emerge from the restroom.

Just another dorky day in my little corner of the world. Nice going, Cho.