Vegetables

Yesterday evening I went to the green grocer’s on one of the main streets which run perpendicular to the railway, and spent 15 pesos on two light bags of unremarkable veg. Almost two-thirds of that price tag went on 2.4kg of potatoes.
Ahead of me in the queue were two children, a girl of six and a boy of around 10. They forgot to pay when they finished their purchases, and the grocer called them back. The boy laughed an apology before handing over the cash. One of his coins fell onto the floor. Instead of bending down to pick it up, the boy just pointed at it and turned on his heel, leaving it to the shopkeeper to collect his money. No one said anything, though I did nearly drop my asparagus.
Later I went to our local supermarket. As I was leaving, I held the door open for a young woman who failed to thank me. “De nada,” I said, loudly and not without good cheer. She ignored me, but the guy following me out of the door thanked me with a wry smile.

Half the potatoes were rotten inside.