The Ticket

  Susan K. Green  2/11/2016

Oh, I was fumbling  again - 

In my pockets, in my many-compartments purse

For the two dollars I had put aside for the lottery ticket -

I buy it every week, knowing I will not win

But under the hopeful illusion

That I am sending those two bucks…

Or at least one of them

Straight into the schools

Where children will learn about using “me” instead of “I”

As in , “It was good for him and me…

Instead of”  It was awesome for him and I”.

I had already handed the man 

The card with my numbers

And he had already punched it through the machine,

Had already laid the ticket on the counter

And I was still patting through my pockets,

Looking through my purse, 

A grocery bag hanging from each arm - 

Eggplant, zucchini, cheese, etc…

And  muttering, “where on earth did I put them? 

I know they’re there someplace..

I just had them”” 

When a young woman  - girl, to me -  - 

Squeezed by to leave the tiny candy/ magazine store.

Smiling, looking into my eyes - as she whizzed by - 

“I already took care of it.” she said.

And was gone.

I looked at Mohamed .

“She gave me the two bucks,” he said

Oh, my startled -  “What?" 

Then, "Do you know her?”

“She comes in here sometimes.”

Oh, I hope I win tomorrow.…..Mohamed will tell her

And the three of us will do just fine.

.