The store was crowded
that day, every employee busy at a job as customers rolled their shopping carts
in the time-honored pattern : fruits and veggies, pre-wrapped deli, fish,
meats, etc. I’d already had a
disappointing day which included a broken tooth and the payment of taxes. I
prowled the aisles with a frown and sunglasses, eager to be done and out of
there. As my mother would say, I was in no mood. I finished up quickly and
headed for the check-out lines, already preparing myself to wait at least 10
minutes. To my amazement, the first
register opened up just as I was going by and I dove in like Greg Louganis on
speed. The check-out person, though new, seemed familiar with the process and I
was soon ready to get on my way. I wheeled my cart out into the narrow aisle
that led to the door and stopped. Two registers away, a woman was also just
finishing, and had pushed her cart into the aisle, also stopping. I watched patiently
while she put her cash away, then put her wallet away, and then, to my
amazement, walked away, leaving the basket blocking my exit and the exit of the
lady at the next register and anyone else who might want to pass. Both of us
watched the woman take out her glasses and walk over to the window to begin
perusing her receipt, which, I noted with dismay, was a long one. My fellow
captive and I looked at each other in disbelief. All at once, it struck me
funny, and I began to laugh. I mean, after the tooth and the taxes, what else
could I do? As I began to giggle, one of the people bagging groceries noticed
what had happened, glanced at the woman, the cart and me, in that order, and
with one strong arm, sent the cart rolling out of the way and back into the
store. If it had been a movie, we would
have all cheered. As it was I wiped the tears of mirth from my eyes and made
for the door. I have no idea if the woman ever found her cart. Summer is here.
