Buster Tales: “The Whispered Refund” @Trader Joe's

Buster Esquire

Buster had never been to a Return Counter before.

Especially not one in the back garden of a Trader Joe’s.

But there it was—carved into a rosemary bush and staffed by a porcupine in a smock that said “Hilde.”

“I’d like to return this,” Buster said, setting a tiny glass vial on the counter.

Hilde squinted. “And what, may I ask, is this?”

“An expectation,” Buster replied.

“One I carried too long. I thought if I worked hard and stayed clever, I’d be loved more.

But turns out… I was already loved. Just didn’t feel it when I was chasing approval.”

Hilde nodded solemnly. “We don’t refund time. But we do offer something better.”

She reached beneath the rosemary, rummaged around, and pulled out a seed packet labeled:

“Self-Regard: Now With RootShield.”

Grows best when watered with your own laughter.

Buster tucked it in his briefcase next to his glowing cheese cube.

As he left, a gust of wind tickled the bushes, and he could’ve sworn Hilde whispered,

“You were never returned. You were remembered.”

And just like that, Buster vanished down the garden path,

lighter by one illusion and stronger by one truth.