I thought about the bills I had tucked in my pocket. It was money I had considered saving … or spending on pizza. I hadn’t yet decided.

I knew I should have taken the time to slide the notes into the wallet. But I didn’t want to find my purse. I could be careful I told myself as I walked the dog. They would stay put in my jacket with my phone, a car key, and my hand … keeping everything sufficiently warm.

It was predictable. I had shuffled all these things several times during the stroll: taking care of Fido’s business; pulling out my phone to take a picture of the sun setting; lathering, rinsing repeating. Eventually, I remembered the cash and decided to check. The smaller denomination was clinging to my phone but the larger bill was........

© The Saratogian