The Wallet

What can I say? I took my wallet out of my back pocket to pay at a drive-through and, because that pocket is, of course, all but inaccessible, instead of returning it, I just placed it on the seat between my legs.

I do this often. But that shouldn't be equated with the idea that I'm good at it. The idea is that I'll notice the wallet when I get out of the car. And I guess I've clung to that idea despite the fact that I have, on various occasions, had it fall to the floor, fall under the seat, and even to the ground outside the door.

So yesterday, I drove Keith to a medical appointment, then got McDonald's (yes, putting my wallet on my lap), returned to the Medical Center, got out of the car and moved to the passenger seat as Keith was to drive home. We left, and by the time (maybe 20 minutes) I realized I no longer had the damned thing.

Of course we drove back and looked but it was long gone. THe only saving grace was that I had pocketed my debit card so that wasn't in the wallet. But my insurance card, social security card, as well as my expired Arizona driver's license. So losing the wallet, while majorly inconvenient, at least wasn't the catastrophe it could have been.

So, determined to break this pattern before it breaks me, I decided to get a wallet—I needed one anyway, obviously—I decided to get one, if I could find it, with an integrated chain. And what do ya know, Walmart actually had several to choose from! So the above is the one I chose.

The next chore will be more annoying and take longer: Applying for and replacing all my cards that were in my old wallet.

I still keep, or try to keep, my wallet in my right rear pocket, only because I am so used to it there. (I know it's potentially bad for my back but I do always scoop it to the side as I sit.) But now, if I take it out while in the car, no matter where I put it, I won't be losing it.

And I guess the fact that the chain makes me look unbearably butch is just a benefit I'll have live with!