Sadness.

By Austin B. Hahn

Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

1931. Chicago — Supermarket

After waiting hours in line, a young woman digs through her handbag at the checkout.

“Something wrong, ma’am?” asks the checker.

“Just one moment,” she quickly looks up and forces a smile.

She pulls out her coin purse and empties its contents in a panic.