Lena recognized the change immediately.
A normal inconvenience had transformed into a personal challenge.
“Are you arguing with me?”
“No.”
“You just told me my card doesn’t work.”
“The machine says the transaction is being declined.”
“My card works.”
“Okay.”
“I used it this morning.”
“I understand.”
“At the hotel.”
“Okay.”
“For twelve hundred dollars.”
Lena nodded.
“Then maybe you can call the card issuer.”
Cassandra leaned back.
“I have a flight.”
“I understand.”
“I don’t have time to call a bank.”
“Do you have another payment method?”
Cassandra opened her handbag.
Inside were cosmetics, earbuds, a charger, prescription sunglasses, mints, business cards, two small notebooks, and a wallet.
She removed the wallet.
Opened it.
No cash.
She checked one section.
Then another.
Lena waited.
Cassandra found a second card.
She handed it over.
“Try that.”
Lena processed it.
DECLINED.
Cassandra stared.
Lena said nothing.
“That’s not possible.”
“I can try it one more time.”
“No.”
Cassandra grabbed her phone.
“I’ll use Apple Pay.”
“Sure.”
Lena brought the terminal closer.
Cassandra double-clicked the side of her phone.
Nothing happened.
She did it again.
The phone displayed a request for a passcode.
Cassandra entered one.
Incorrect.
She tried again.
Incorrect.
Lena looked away.
Cassandra could feel her watching anyway.
“Something changed on my phone.”
“That’s okay.”
“No, Apple did something.”
“Take your time.”
“I don’t have time.”
She looked at the departure board.
Flight 608.
ON TIME.
Boarding in thirty-two minutes.
Cassandra muttered something under her breath.
Lena pretended not to hear.
Cassandra tried another code.
Incorrect.
“Are you kidding me?”
A man two stools away glanced over.
Cassandra immediately became aware of him.
He wore a red tracksuit and had been drinking a beer while watching basketball highlights on his phone.
Cassandra lowered her voice.
“What exactly is the total?”
Lena checked.
“Sixty-two dollars and eighteen cents.”
Cassandra laughed.
“That’s what we’re doing this over?”
Lena blinked.
“I’m just trying to close the tab.”
“Sixty-two dollars.”
“Yes.”
Cassandra gestured toward herself.
“Do I look like I can’t pay sixty dollars?”
Lena had learned long ago not to answer questions like that.
“I didn’t say you couldn’t.”
“You’re acting like I’m trying to steal.”
“No.”
“That’s exactly how you’re acting.”