As the clerk disappeared into the back room, I stood at the counter, my heart pounding. What could possibly be so special about this card? I glanced around the small lobby, its quaint decor doing little to calm my nerves. Just as anxiety threatened to overwhelm me, the clerk returned, accompanied by a well-dressed manager.
“Ms. Hayes, is it?” the manager inquired, his voice respectful yet laced with curiosity.
“Yes, that’s right,” I replied, doing my best to maintain composure.
