Leo pushed open the door of Benny's Bargain Shop. His ten coins clinked in his cupped palm. He spotted a rainbow display of gummy worms at the counter and counted aloud: one, two, three — he laid out three shiny coins. The old register whirred and flashed "7," making Leo grin and reach for his next treat.
Leo lined up three copper coins on the counter. They gleamed in the warm shop light. He counted them one more time just to be sure — one, two, three — then looked up at the gummy worms, his eyes bright with delight.
Then Leo spotted the chocolate stars. Four coins each. He counted out four from his pile — one, two, three, four — and placed them beside the register. The machine clicked happily and displayed the number 1.
Leo blinked at the tiny number. One? He counted his coins again, stacking them into two piles — one for the worms, one for the stars. His brow furrowed. The shop bell jingled as someone else entered.
A familiar voice spoke gently beside him. His mother knelt down and pointed to the two coin piles. "Three and four make seven, Leo. You started with ten."
Leo's eyes widened. He counted both piles together, his fingers trailing over the smooth metal edges. Three plus four. Seven. He started with ten. He understood now.
The register beeped once — a happy little sound — and went dark. Leo traced the rim of a coin with his thumb, feeling the smooth edge. Seven. He had ten. The math worked.
Leo reached for the chocolate stars but paused. He looked between the rainbow gummy worms and the gold-wrapped stars. His mother held up one finger. "You have one coin left, sweetie."
Leo thought for a moment. Then he slipped his last coin into his pocket, scooped up the chocolate stars, and turned toward the counter. His steps were quick and light.
At the checkout, Leo counted his coins one more time. One, two, three — and then the four chocolate stars. The register flashed 7 again and dinged cheerfully, dropping his treats into a little paper bag.
Leo held up his single remaining coin, turning it in the light. It was shiny and round and entirely his. The register let out one last happy beep before going dark for good.
Leo stepped out of Benny's Bargain Shop into the golden afternoon. One coin in his pocket, chocolate stars in his bag. He walked home with a proud little bounce, already counting the stars he would eat first.