Rebate check

This afternoon my mom announced, "That came for you," as she waved toward the kitchen table. I could see a postcard sitting at my place at the table.

I picked it up, "Cool, my rebate check."

"Your what?" she asked.

"It's my rebate check...from Staples."

"Rebate check? Did you buy something?"

"Yes, and this is my rebate check...for twenty dollars."

"What did you buy?"

"I don't remember right now."

"And that's a check? It doesn't look like a check!" she said, indignant.

"Yes, it sure is, my rebate check for twenty dollars from Staples."

"Oh. Then I'd better get the other one for you."

"Other one?" I thought as I watched her walk over to the kitchen garbage.

She picked out another postcard from the top of a pile of coffee grounds, brushed it off, handed it to me and said, "I thought it was just an ad for something, and you had gotten two. I didn't know it was a check. Are you sure it's a check?"

I looked at the stained postcard. "Yep. It's a check alright. This one's for twenty-five dollars." I showed it to her.

She examined them both closely. "It doesn't look like a check, " she commented, shaking her head. I had to admit that they really didn't look like checks but more like junk mail postcards.

"Why did they send you two?" she asked.

"Because I bought more than one thing."

"What did you buy?"

"I don't remember right now."

"And they sent you two checks? You can keep both of them?"

"Uh huh," was all I could say.

"Well, from now on I won't throw any of your mail away," she affirmed, "just in case it's something important I don't recognize again. I'll leave it all on the table for you."

I quickly reviewed in my mind any other rebates I had sent for and any other mail I was expecting but hadn't received. I couldn't think of anything else. I'm sure someone will let me know...eventually...if I've missed something really important. I hope!