A Hangup I Need to Work On

Alexa bought me a drink.

Standing in line at a San Bruno Starbucks, I was startled when the woman ahead of me offered to buy me a drink. It wasn't a cheap one either--a holiday peppermint mocha--but I had trouble accepting it.

She said it was a "free" drink on a Starbucks promotion. I made a final stab at resisting the favor: why can't you take it home for later or isn't there someone else you can give it to (dumb as soon as I said it)? No, she replied.

I fumbled in my satchel and pulled out four high-quality (wrapped) chocolates, which she took.

Those who have given most of their lives find it hard to receive, and, as age diminishes independence, that's a hangup I need to work on.