A $4 Guilt Complex

Today I took Jaina to the pediatrician's for a shot visit. Tues-Thurs, 1-4 pm, the office does walk-in vaccines for established patients so you don't have to wait for the doctor. So I showed up at 1 o'clock sharp, thinking I'd be in and out. 25 minutes and 6 kids who came in after us but went back before us later, the nurse finally calls Jaina's name. We walk back, go in the room, unsnap her pant leg, she gets the shot, I pop her in the sling, and we walk out. Whole process took about 2 minutes.

Now here's what get's me. Parking at the office is free for the first 30 minutes, then $4 dollars if you're there 31-60 minutes. I was there a total of 34 minutes. I have to pay $4 to park because the stupid office made me wait for 25 minutes, when I was the FIRST PERSON to show up when they opened after lunch. So not fair.

So I pull up to the booth, realize I only have $2.50 in cash and they don't take cards. Dude asks me if I can mail a check. Sure thing, no problem. He gives me a sticker with the address, written on the back is the amount owed. Now, they have no way to know whether or not I pay this fee. They didn't take my info, no cameras getting my license plate, I could just not pay it. It's not my fault I was 4 minutes over the free limit.

But as soon as that thought entered my mind, the guilt started. Remember the "cold pricklies" we learned about in primary when we were Sunbeams? Yeah, I got the cold pricklies. I sort of laughed to myself and thought "You know you're living your life right when you have a $4
guilt complex". To prevent further attacks of the cold pricklies, I will be mailing that check posthaste.