Sunday, March 18, 2012

Anybody have a dollar?

98 words got me nowhere close to what I wanted to write here. But, alas, some taskmaster limited the word count and I could only come close to what I wanted to say. Sigh...

It was only ninety-eight cents.

But it could have been a million dollars.

This measly bag of groceries costs $20.98?

As always I had more month than food stamps.

I was reduced to the wrinkled twenty dollar bill I had saved in my wallet against the most dire emergency.

Hard to believe that buying groceries was the dire emergency.

Hard to believe that the food bank had nothing to give us this morning.

"Take the loaf of bread off," I said quietly to the teller.

"Hooray!" I told my child, "It's going to be a cereal week again!"


This little 98 word post is linked to Saturday Centus. The prompt is in bold. To read other offerings, just click here.
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17 comments:

Annesphamily said...

Hi Jenny! You tell a wonderful story! Good to see you here. Have a terrific week! Anne

Jo said...

Ouch! all to real in this day's economy ... food banks aren't getting the donations like they used too and yet, more and more family's need them. That was a tough little story Jenny! I felt sorry for them both, really well written!

Anonymous said...

Nice one! It didn't really need more words...

anitamombanita said...

$.98 might not have been enough, but you managed to fill our bellies just fine with 98 words! You're the queen, Mrs. Jenny, the queen!

Ms. A said...

I had a few times like that in my younger years.

Susan Anderson said...

I remember the days of scrimping and saving. I used to pay for everything with cash, and I couldn't even afford to buy my kids treats at 7-11...not even a cheap sucker.

Times are easier for us now, but I know they are hard for many people out there. Good story, Jenny.

=)

Tonia Lee Smith said...

Jenny! I know I'm such a slacker. I haven't been by in along while but I'm always inspired when I stop by to read your post. Remember you can't enjoy the rainbow if there is no rain...

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

You did 98 words proud, Matlock!

You can tell a story with a gut punch like no one else.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, hard times, for sure. This is so well told, the thought process of the mom - and that last tidbit of cheer she gave her child, making a game of it. We do everything to protect our children.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Girl, 98 words are perfect to tell this story.

I fear you told the story of many of folk out there just tryin' their best to keep a roof overhead and some grub on the table. So sad!

Great job my sweet friend.

God bless and have a grand week!!!

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

I had one of those wrinkled emergency hidden twenties...

xxoo,

RMW

noexcuses said...

Beautifully written! And, how timely for so many! Have a great week!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Such a true and sad tale! Of course, you write it with humor and love!

Ames said...

The queen of ninety-eight words!!! This was great and it made me think....it must be going around.

I was just thinking about a woman I worked with many many years ago. Before my career. She had one son to raised all by herself and she told me she needed the tips so she could buy a chicken and a bag of rice. She said it would last them a whole week.

As I was staring out the car window going down the road to somewhere I remembered this conversation out of the blue. Maybe it was God's way of reminding me how well off I am, since I have never heard him actually speak to me. Something for you to ponder. ((Hugs))~Ames

Judie said...

Oh, goody! We LOVE cereal, don't we, kids???

Jim said...

Hi Jenny ~~ A sad little S. Centsus story about a happy mother and daughter.
I am glad the daughter points to the bright side. :)
..

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

I remember weeks like that when I was little, and the steel mills were all shutting down. Every kid was snacking on government cheese after school!