$18.02 and counting

I've never had money, at least, not a lot of it. Consequently, I've never "forgotten" my change at a store register - certainly nothing more than a few coins. I've never forgotten a shopping bag full of groceries or merchandise either - something which seemed to happen with predictable regularity when I worked at the House of Wal.

Anywho.

I'm lined up three deep at the register at Starbucks and this well-dressed specimen of middle-aged shopping acumen forks over a twenty for a small coffee. I see the change flashing on the screen - $18.02.

The barista hands over the coffee and the well-heeled woman moves away, shaking a few bangle bracelets and a gold watch down her leathery, lizard-skinned arm.

The woman moves off and I move up to the register - and the barista realizes she's *STILL* holding eighteen dollars and change.

She calls to the woman, who's headed out the door and picking up steam by now, with the cell phone out, the sunglasses in mid-whip-out and the gigantic bag in full swing. Fortunately, there was no purse pooch. "Ma'am, do you want your change?"

Oblivious.

"MA'AM"

Startled look.

"Do you want your change?" Barista waves the bills. "Unless you want to leave me an $18 tip?"

"Oh no. I don't want to do that."

And the woman took everything but the two pennies.