Trips to the bank have been few and far between this summer as the Main Street construction continues

Actual currency is its own commodity

“Do you have any money?” he called out from the kitchen

“Sure, help yourself. Take a twenty from my purse”

I could hear the zipper of my wallet opening and the unmistakable sound of coin tumbling loose.

Fast forward two days and I am standing in front of the No-Frills shopping carts corral just gob smacked.   In my hand is a very light and very empty wallet. No coin. No shopping cart. My car is right across the parking lot. Should I go somewhere else with free shopping carts or make do here?

With a NO-Frill plastic basket tucked into the crock of my arm, elbows high – I push on.

“Only the essentials” I say to myself as I start to sort and prioritize my grocery list based on weight and bulk. Two- days’ worth of meat, no apples, no to that jar of pesto sauce. I can make something else.”

Around aisle four, just after I added the box of raison brad cereal, the trembling in my forceps gets really serious.  I switch my grip for the umpteenth time. Swinging the now full basket in my fist works for half an aisle. I rest a bit in aisle six.

“Oh its hot in here.” I’m just about done. Pass on the eggs. Leave the margarine for another day. I just need a bag of milk. Way the heck across the back I stagger. The end is in sight. It’s possible if I carry the milk clutched in my free hand and cradle the heavy basket against my chest in a football hold.   No time for pleasant smiles with my neighbours. Both arms are shaking and there will be a permanent deep red indentation in my wrist from the handle.

“Damn the construction. Damn Warren and our lack of change”