CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
One day at work, I fell into conversation with two young customers named Melissa and Maria. Melissa was Asian and, although I couldn’t immediately place her background, I later found out that Maria was Armenian. They were shopping together, and we had a nice chat while they were in my section of the store. Both of them were very friendly.
My department was having a sushi dinner that evening, to celebrate an event. I invited them to join me, and they agreed. They had been friends since middle school, it turned out, and often hung out together.
We had a very nice dinner, enjoying the meal and each other’s company. I hit it off particularly well with Melissa, and we exchanged phone numbers.
Unfortunately, after dinner, things took a turn, as every man’s worst nightmare ensued. Attempting to be a gentleman, I picked up the tab, only to have both my credit card and bank card declined! I was barely making a living in those days but I had been pretty sure I had enough money in my account to cover one dinner out, even one for three people.
There was a bowling alley nearby with an ATM inside. I slithered away, sweaty and ashamed, and after about thirty minutes of trying both my bank card and the credit card, I was able to get $40 out. By the time I came back to the restaurant, my two dinner companions had already paid the bill. I was deeply embarrassed and sure that Melissa would never call me again.
To my great joy, she proved me wrong.
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