Then he slid the folded receipt across the table.
Michael looked at it.
I watched his expression change.
First annoyance.
Then recognition.
Then embarrassment.
“Dad, where did you get this?”
“Darlene gave it to me.”
Michael immediately looked toward the counter.
“Why?”
Walt stared at him.
“Why do you think?”
Michael’s jaw tightened.
“It was a frustrating morning.”
I felt anger rise in my chest.
Walt remained calm.
“Was it?”
“Yes.”
“The eggs were wrong twice.”
Walt nodded.
“So you told her to get a real job?”
Michael sighed.
“Dad, it was just a stupid comment.”
Walt looked at him for a long moment.
Then he reached into his wallet.
And placed the old 1983 receipt beside the new one.
“Read that.”
Michael frowned.
“What is it?”
“Read it.”
Michael picked up the yellowed paper.
His eyes moved over the faded handwriting.
Then he looked up.
“Paid in full. Darlene.”
