A Lesson Learned

Don’t Touch That Unless You’re Paying

Created with Midjourney by author

I was reading an article this morning by Jill Ebstein about an experience she had when she was about 8 years old, and it reminded me of a lesson my Dad taught me.

We were returning from a road trip to West Texas and stopped at a diner for a meal. It was my Mom, Dad, Grandmother, and me.

At about 11 years old, I was quite the curious youngster. I had the habit of reaching over and picking up the check, checking the amount, and placing it back on the table.

My Dad repeatedly cautioned me, “Son, you don’t pick up a check and look at it unless you intend to pay it.”

I didn’t listen very well, and he finally warned me that he would assume I was buying the next time I did it.

I did it again. After all, he couldn’t expect me to pay because I had a dollar and some change in my pocket.

As I looked at the check, Mom and Dad stood and walked away before I could place it back on the table.

I sat there speechless, staring at my Grandmother.

I asked her if she would pay the check, and she responded: “I don’t believe I was the one who picked it up.”

After several painful minutes, I asked if I could borrow the money from her. This happened…