Penny Candy

It was my lucky day as I had a quarter to buy candy from the candy stand . On most days my brother and I would split the loot. He liked the chocolate tarts and me the sour. I especially liked the licorice ropes. There were all flavors and strawberry was my favorite. If vanilla twin sickles were available I would get one.

On this day, I must of worn pants with out pockets as I did stupid kid stuff. I decided to carry the quarter in my mouth. Predictably, I swallowed the quarter. It was a creepy odd feeling having a quarter slide down my throat. I remember that final gulp knowing the quarter was gone. I knew there would be no candy that day.

Usually this is something I would not tell my parents as I swallowed weird stuff all the time. Maybe I lobbied for another quarter. I don’t remember.

What I do remember is her following me when I went to use the bathroom. It was awkward, but in retrospect, she was looking for that quarter so that nothing catastrophic happened to me. The twenty five cents was a sunk cost already. I have no idea if she ever found the quarter.