Expensive Feelings

Ma always put us in the habit of making cards for each other. And we've always enjoyed it - writing poems for each other, drawing stuff out, getting something done. The smile one gets is worth all the effort. But there was one time when I had to go and buy a greeting card for someone. Either I didn't have the time/resources to make one, or it was meant to be a li'l not-too-personal. Whatever it was, I went to Archies', I guess for the first time. I was really small, and naive. That time I used to get 150 bucks per month for pocket money, and I used to use it well. So I had my wallet well loaded and I entered the shop full of tinkling, sparkling, enticing stuff.

I picked out the card alright and went to the counter. The old Bohra uncle at the counter packed it up and mumbled "Eighteen". I wasn't sure what I heard so I asked him, "Eighty? or Eighteen?" And he exclaimed "Eighty!! My goodness no!! Eighteen.." And then I knew that greeting cards aren't supposed to cost this much. This was I guess a decade ago.

The other day I walked into Archies' again to pick up a card for Pa for Father's Day. A decent card - Eighty bucks :) Wonder what the old uncle would've said now.