i spotted it right before a woman walking in the opposite direction: dollar bills folded in half with a receipt, waving in the breeze. i felt bad picking it up, maybe it was someone walking directly in front of me who just pulled something out of their pocket, letting this small packet slip to the ground. they might be just a second away from realizing it, turning to look back. but then there was the other woman moving towards me with her eyes on it. i bent to pick it up, hardly even slowing my stride. no one else noticed.

whoever it was bought a REY OVEN CK BG TK at the met foods further back on 5th ave. it cost $2.19 and they paid with five dollar bill, receiving $2.63 in change.

and the other day at the rite aid a couple of blocks back, there was a shelf end scattered with a few remaining bottles of sunscreen laying on their sides on otherwise empty shelves, accompanied by a lone bottle of chocolate syrup. i was picking up developed pictures and when i got to the counter, the cashier didn't even wait for me to tell her my name. i had been in the day before, when according to their chart my pictures would be ready, but holidays always add an extra day. i was a bit testy with the man who helped me, even though i had thought maybe it would take an extra day. i don't even remember this cashier being there at the time, but she told me, the guy came like five minutes after you left. i smiled and replied, figures, huh?