Birthday Cake M&Ms

Today after work I stopped by the "newsstand" to pick up a packet of peanut butter M&Ms for my roommate because last night was rough for her and duh, M&Ms fix everything.

But the cute Asian man at the counter wouldn't know, because he doesn't even like M&Ms!

"Birthday cake flavor! Have you tried it?"
"No, I don't eat M&Ms."
"What? You don't like M&Ms?!"

The total for the two bags of M&Ms came to $2.40. Outrageous I know. I pulled out my card but apparently $2.40 is not enough to warrant card usage. I scrounged up my last two dollar bills, but I didn't think I had change.

"Whatever you can find," said the man.
"Uhh...I don't know if I have any more..."

A few more awkward moments (I hate rifling through my bag for money. It makes me feel poor.) and then,
"We're in luck! I found another dollar!"

That cute Asian man smiled, gave me my change, and handed me my M&Ms.

Then from behind I heard, "Excuse me ma'am. Do you have a dollar?"

Another man. Blue beanie. Wide eyes. My size. He looked a little frazzled, like he was on a stimulant or something.

"No, I'm sorry. I just gave him all my cash," I said, gesturing to the cashier.

And then that man in the beanie walked away.

And I walked home. 

I don't know what it was, but today I felt different as I padded over the Potomac.
Older. Clearer. Less like a girl and more like a woman.

Georgetown Waterfront (not the Key Bridge)

As I crossed the Key Bridge, burlap bag slung over sore shoulder, I thought about why.

It wasn't because I was wearing professional clothes. In fact, today I wore my teal jeans, fake Sperrys, and a red button-up to work (if you're wondering how I pulled that off, I pulled it off with class.)

It wasn't because I'd spent all day in the office. In fact, today I didn't go into the office until 1 because I spent the whole morning at the apartment, (frantically) finishing up the design of a grant proposal.

It obviously wasn't because I have a brimming bank account, a real job, a car, or a husband. 

I don't know. Maybe it was because my boss was impressed with my work, or because I got to contest the writing of someone with a PhD, or because I wasn't even scared of that man at the newsstand who asked for my money. 

Or maybe it's just because C.S. Lewis had it right when he said, "Day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different."