Park That Thought(fullness)

(During our mother’s final days, my sister “camped out” at the hospital with her for days on end. The parking garage charged an hourly rate, with a maximum of $8 per day. My sister hands the parking ticket to the cashier on her way out.)

Cashier: *not looking up* “That will be $24.”

Sister: *in tears, tries to count out the money*

Cashier: *looking up, sees my sister, and immediately tears up the ticket* “Oh, you lost your ticket. That will be $8.”