Pending Approval

You excitedly head out to do some shopping and you've found all the shiz that you wanted and more. You gather the things you want while you feel a wave of contentment set in. Shopping done. There goes one less thing to worry about and now you can cross it off the To Do list. But before you're able to exit the retail establishment of your choice, something gets in the way - you must pay for these items. Dammit. You proceed to the cash register, which is more like a debit card register these days, but I digress.

You make friendly with the sales rep. But not too friendly. You don't want to be shamed by your friend. You keep it simple and make brief, abrupt eye contact as you stand in silence. With each bar code scan you hear the familiar beep and your heart drops just a little bit more. You're watching your "Total Due" amount increase by the item. You're kind of panicking and you're wondering if it shows. You grin nervously. Are you obvious? Do you reek of suspicion? You glance at the new customer that joins the end of your checkout line. He needs to effing go somewhere else! In fact, everyone behind you could just leave now. No one should bare witness to what may happen.

You pray that it will all be alright. Your Amount Due is now complete. You hear, "That'll be...."

No words.
No eye contact.
You swipe your debit card.
You're frozen.
You hope.
It's pending
and pending
still pending
and pending...
It's taking too long!
That's because it's declined.
It's gonna be declined!
Pending...
This effing sucks.
You wanna hide.
The little screen reads APPROVED.

By God's graces you didn't urinate all over the floor, turn red or have to protest that you know someone must have made "a mistake!" because there's a lot of money in your account.

You give a quick "thank you," grab your receipt in silence and take your bags. You know your payment is going to bounce, but at least that will be between you and your bank, not the people waiting in line, ready to sigh and eye-roll while the cashier gives you stink eye even though you make more money than her.

It's nerve-racking and you vow to never again use your debit card when you don't know if funds are available. But you know that you're gonna.