Paid Off

This morning, I logged onto my bank's website.
I clicked a few clicks and pushed a few buttons.
Two seconds later, my Visa was paid off.
There ended years of struggle and fretting,
cursing the bills each month,
short paying,
late payment phone calls,
barely paying the minimum amount.
All that, gone in two seconds and three clicks.
I owed so much for so long,
I honestly didn't know what I was paying for.
I was expecting ringing bells and dancing girls,
perhaps even a monetary reward
(payback for the obscene interest).
All I got was,
"Thank you for your payment."
I was hoping that my bank manager
would instantly call me with kudos.
I envisioned her sitting at her desk,
all prim and buttoned,
watching my every financial move.
As soon as I clicked the "pay" button,
she would pick up her phone,
and in a husky voice say,
"You're a good little lab rat.
You've paid your debt.
Now, women like me will find you attractive."
But no.
Thank you for your payment.
Funny.
All this time,
I figured that being a man was
all about muscles, money, and financial solvency.
Turns out,
it's about what you've lost.
What you've paid for.
The hope is that one day a man
kicks back and reckons his remaining fingers;
wonders where they all went.
He hopes his punch was straight
and his words true.