A "senior" coffee is fifty-five cents at the local quick service spot near work. I only know that because this morning, the clerk who took my order charged me for a "senior" coffee. Which sent me on an all day bender trying to figure out what it was about me that had her take me for a "senior" whatever that is in their establishment.
My head was covered (winter, dontchaknow) but even if it wasn't my hair is still more pepper than salt. It is possible she just gave me the once-over and decided by coat (and / or over-all manner of dress) was just not trendy enough to be anything less than, "senior" Again, whatever that is to her (all of 20, if that) and/or the establishment.
I was feeling pretty spry after y long bus rides having worked out the kinks and plantar fascitis type aches and pains, cause for the occasional limp--so I don't think it was my gait that read, "senior."
All day I wondered.
Until I decided that it wasn't my appearance that drove the clerk to the "senior" key. It was how I ordered or rather, how she heard my order .
"May I have a 'small' coffee and 2 oatmeal cookies?" became, "May I have a 'senior' . . .
That has to be it, she heard senior instead of small.. Yes, that has to be . . IT!
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