The Gilbert Economy

Money was scarce at home, not because we’re poor, but because of our inability to get money out of the bank. Bank-issued debit cards disappeared with junk mail, the bank hours proved incompatible with my Mother’s schedule, and every last quarter was taken for lunch money. Pitying us, B would take our change away in double-bagged ziplocs, returning with fives and tens. After she lost interest in our cause, I turned to the self-checkout machines whose wide-mouthed change pits accepted my coins without judgement. Pouring fistfuls of change into them, I imagined American economists analyzing this influx of long-dormant currency.