She’s here again. She must have moved into town, she’s been buying groceries here for a month now. Also at the same time too, at 5 o’clock every Friday. Sometimes she chooses my line and other times she doesn’t, but that’s ok, she greets me with a smile regardless. Sometimes I’m getting off my shift so I can help her take her bags to her car. We don’t talk, but that’s ok.

——————

He keeps helping me to my car, but he won’t talk to me. I am wayyyy too awkward to start conversations, so I guess we’ll just stay silent. Unfortunately. He’s really cute and seems nice, even though we’ve never spoken. I’ve been coming at the same time every week just so I can see him and be greeted by his special smile.

——————

I finally did it. I asked her out today. Kinda. I guess. She’s going to wait till my shifts ends and we’re going to walk around the store and get some drinks and popcorn chicken. She didn’t feel comfortable going anywhere, but that’s ok with me, at least I talked to her.

——————

We actually had a very good time walking around the store. He ended up being a great conversationalist. I think that I’ll actually let him take me to a coffee shop next time. I actually really like him.

——————

She had just walked through the door towards me, when a man in black ran in behind her and grabbed her. He held a gun towards her head and threatened to shoot if anyone moved. I was terrified.

——————

I could barely breathe, I was numb as I watched the cashiers bring the money to my captor. I locked eyes with my boyfriend, and saw myself through his eyes. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes, heck, I don’t want to be in my shoes.

——————

After we gave the robber the money and he ran out, I dashed towards her and caught her in my arms. I could never let her be in danger like that again.

I have worked as a stock boy for one year.

I have worked produce and a bag boy for another year.

I collected shopping carts and the evening deliveries for six months.

Today is my first day running the register at Apple tree health a local health and organic grocery store in my hometown. I am eighteen and half and just graduated. I have enough money saved up for my first year of trade school to become an electrician or plumber. I haven’t decided yet on the whole dealing with people’s toilets yet.

It’s a Monday at 9 am and in walks the most prettiest girl I have ever seen. She’s medium height with brown hair and green eyes. She’s wearing dark denim jeans a black hoodie that has a dead unicorn with rainbow blood around it and a yellow beanie. She has been in the store of all about twenty minutes and she has gathered her groceries and is two people back from my register.

im a goner from the moment I see her eyes

Unfortunately I’m dealing with the oldest man I have ever seen and he is literally counting out pennies for his tab! Not only is it pennies; he is also doing it in the slowest way possible that I think I might pull all my hair out when I notice her looking at me and grinning.

My god it’s a cute grin

My stomach is fluttering! Actually fluttering like they do in the movies. The old man is half way there when my manager opens the register the next aisle over and rings up both the middle aged woman and cute yellow beanie girl. I think my heart literally falls into my stomach as I watch her walk out with her groceries and I think out of my life.

My town is about 300,000 people. I wouldn’t call it a small town, but it’s also not a big town. Big enough that we have over ten high schools and enough social circles you won’t date anyone twice in the same circle, but also small enough it only takes a quick drive on the two main parkways we have to get to all four corners of the town. I say this to make it real that maybe, just maybe, I will see my yellow beanie girl again.

Two weeks have gone by and I’m pretty quick at the register. My manager Mike, has been the same manger all two and half years I’ve been here. He is pretty cool. I like my job, so while I’m in school I’ll keep it. The hours are pretty flexible since now I can do any position, so some days I’m something different throughout the week. Today I’m a stocker catching up on thanksgiving themed stuff when in walks beanie girl. She looks different. Not bad different just different. That’s when I realize she’s done up. She has makeup on and her outfit choice is a little more chic. I try to be as little as a stalker as I can. Not trying to follow her every other isle or anything. I have seem to lose her by the produce and circle back to my original spot when someone taps my shoulder.

its her …….speak you big dummy speak

She looks at me so innocently and simply ask where the canned yams are and like an idiot I say isle three next to the pie filling and baking utensils. She thanks me and smiles just bigger than a grin and walks away.

she is so cute

I notice her get in line. Pay for her stuff and head out. My head swimming with scenarios where I have reacted differently. Scenes where I confess my love for her all old romance style, and other scenes where I am a Don Juan smooth talking my way into a dare with her. All the day dreaming and no action.

slaps forehead

I’ve seen beanie girl many times over the course of a year and I have said all two words to her. All the while she smiles and giggles at my stammering.

Today is the day I ask her out! That’s if she comes in. Other wise it will be some other day when she comes in.

She doesn’t come in today.

dies a little inside

I’m at the register when in walks yellow beanie girl. She’s not wearing her yellow beanie. In fact she looks completely done up differently. She’s dressed like she is going to a party. She looks …….sad. She gather a small basket of things when in walks a guy who clearly belongs to a frat. He runs right up to her and in quiet talk says something to her that she giggles at and he kisses her cheek. He grabs some stuff, throws it into her basket, and hand some cash to her and walks out. She gets to my register and doesn’t look me in the eye. I tell her the total and she hands me the correct change, grabs her stuff and walks out.

heart shatters

I’ve seen beanie girl come in a few months with frat guy and not looking like herself. She’s reserved and not at all curious about the world. They hold hands and kiss up and down the isles and buy stuff that couples buy. All the while I watch this play out in front of me.

I love you I scream in my head, but all that comes out is, “have a great time and hope to see you again.”

It’s my last day on the job here at the store. My schooling is done and my interning as an electrician apprentice is taking up more hours of my week. In that time YBG (yellow beanie girl) has dated frat guy. Got engaged to frat guy. Moved in with frat guy. I know all this by the grocery purchases. You start to tell the dynamics of the people you ring up over time. Single people with their frozen meals. Family man with the last minute store runs. The guy who still lives with mom and young couples.

ive loved you just from your candy options. We have the same taste in ice cream. I also tried juicing and failed miserably. My secret obsession with crock pot meals started with you. I’m also allergic to kiwis. Please love me

At my register is a big bow that says “bon voyage”, thanks to my fellow staff and manager. Even the owner handed me an envelope and thanked me for my time at the store. I’m definitely loved here and it feels warm and amazing. It’s almost closing time when I see YBG walk in. She grabs a basket as sally tells her that we have fifteen minute left til closing. She looks around and grabs a few random things and walks straight to my register. I see her notice the bow. She looks directly at me. “You’re leaving?” It was such a simple phrase. It was quiet and held something else in the phrase. I answered quickly with a joke and said something like “yep. The winds are calling me elsewhere”

idiot mental slap

She looks at me and I can’t read her face. I ring the items up and say the total. She is still just looking at me. I look around and back at her. “Miss? It’s $18.73.”

She doesn’t move

She looks right at me and says “what’s your name?”

I’m not wearing my name tag because I had turned it in only just thirty minutes ago.

“Noah” I squeak out.

If I was to assume, she looked confused/hurt. She says “I’ve been coming quite a lot and noticed you, but I’ve never known your name.” Then she smiles

heart flips a quintrillion times

Then she says almost hesitantly “good luck Noah” and hands me a twenty and walks out without her change.

The girl of my dreams walks out of my life.

I still love you yellow beanie girl

I always start from the back of the store, then slowly make my way forward, because that’s the easiest path— direct, predictable, easy to know what’s in front of you. But lately i’ve found myself, rather than starting in the back for convince, gunning straight for the cinnamon rolls. These cinnamon rolls, just pillsbury dough, used to be maybe a bi-weekly, bi-monthly, even bi-annual purchase. A treat, a something-special. As I make my way directly to the back of the store, reach my hand out with the purpose of getting this one item, the most important thing on my list, the third time i’ve made this purchase within a single month, I come to the realization that the cinnamon roll is no longer the something special; he is.

When we had first been introduced to each other through mutual friends, he, like the cinnamon rolls, was nothing more than a bi-weekly, bi-monthly, bi-annual treat. We would meet in groups of friends, exchange smiles, maybe speak a few words to each other, and move on.

About a month ago I had had a bad day, and I found myself in the back of the store, typical, but compelled to get myself a something-special. It was late, and there was only one tube left. My tired eyes fixated on the prize before me, i reached out to grab it, and instead collided with another hand. A duet of “Oop, i’m sorry,” as our hands retracted, and i locked eyes with my competitor. I was too tired to register what was happening, until the man grinned unmistakably and burst out, “Allison?!”

I blinked, then regained focus and smiled. “Harry!”

Harry being Harry, he reached down and hugged me as if we had been best friends for decades. After the courteous small-talk, Harry got right down to it. “So what do you think you’re doing, trying to steal my cinnamon rolls from me?” He challenged with a faux grimace.

“Oh, your cinnamon rolls?” I raised my eyebrows.

“Yes, ma’am. They’re my favorite. I get them every week.”

I couldn’t tell how serious he was being, but i liked his answer. “Well you see, I’ve had a particularly rough day. My car broke down so i had to spend some hard earned cash on an overpriced Uber to get here, and my AC unit in my apartment completely broke. I could use a something-special.”

His charade faded. “A something-special?” He smiled, seeming to like my terminology. “I’ll tell you what. You can have those cinnamon rolls, on a few conditions.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

“I give you a ride home and take a look at your AC. I’ve fixed a few in my time.”

I was shocked. “No, you really don’t have to, that’s so kind of you to offer but—“

“No, please, it’s my pleasure. What else are friends for? I’ll just get myself some cinnamon rolls next week, what’s one week without them?”

I couldn’t contain a smile. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll get these cinnamon rolls this week as a something-special, but make them for the both of us. As your own something-special for doing this for me.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

That was the first time I had bought him cinnamon rolls, the first time he had been in my apartment, the first time he and I hung out without other people.

And so he fixed my AC, and i made him and I the cinnamon rolls we had fought over. He told me that his mom used to make these on special days as a kid, and into adulthood it became the comfort food of choice. We got along unexpectedly well.

“Well I cant thank you enough for everything tonight,” i said to him as he began making his way out. “Seriously, if there is more I can do for you, let me know. I feel like cinnamon rolls won’t do it justice.”

“Hey, you’re totally fine. I love doing things for others. My love language is acts of service, and the service of letting me have some of your something-special was more than enough for me.”

I loved that he said this. Unexpectedly, I caught myself telling him that I was having a few friends over on Thursday after work, and told him he should join us. “There might be more something-specials there just for you.”

He smiled, and I never wanted him to stop.

She wanders around, looking for cucumbers as she suddenly spots him. He stands in front of her, nervously wringing his fingers. “Hi..? Can you let me pass?” She says, hoping that he’d just move out of her way. “Oh! Sorry, I just wanted to ask you-” “Ask me what? C’mon, Casimir-destroyer of peace. Come up with something a little less stalkery if you want me back.” She interjects, yet again praying for him to just go away. “Wha-? No. I just-” “Just what?” “Ugh! You're insufferable! Stop calling me Casimir! That's not my name!” He yells, angry, even after promising himself that he wouldn't yell at her, at least until he got what he wanted. “Well, to me it is. So why are you here, oh Casimir?” She asks, genuinely curious to see if it's important. “Because...I need you to loan me a few bucks. I got tangled up with some bad sorts.” He says, nervous, yet confident that the Erini he knows will do what he wishes, even though she broke up with him. To his surprise, instead of submitting, she questions him, “Can't you ever”, she says to him, scoffing, “do anything by yourself?” “You bitch. I ask you one thing; you can't just obey and give me the money?” He reacts, disgusted at her behavior. What worth do girls that speak their mind have to him? Or any other man, for that matter? “One thing? ONE THING? How many times have you borrowed money, time, MY LOVE from me? When have you ever repaid me? I know love isn't something to be lent out, but have you ever really loved me? Or did you just love the idea of love? Of someone unconditionally giving you time, love, and money without a limit? I'm not helping you. I will walk right past you, and I am going to call the police if you ever talk to me again.” He began to speak, but before he could even finish his sentence, she already knew. He was going to say some crap about how he won't LET her leave. What kind of man doesn't even see his faults and still fixates on control? She brushed past him, as he finally choked out, “I won't let you.” “You don't LET me do anything, not anymore.”

Allen, had gone to the grocery store to get a few items to eat thru out the week. He had been going from isle to isle. When he noticed a very pretty women picking up items off the floor. Hello mind if I help you? Not at all, I must be clumsy she said. It’s ok I’ll help you. My name is Allen, what is yours? I’m Terry, this is so embarrassing. Not at all things happen. Do you come here often? Yes in-fact I do, this is where I do my grocery shopping. Terry, if you don’t mind me saying you are gorgeous. Thank you Allen, so what do you do Terry? I’m a single mom, I have been divorced for 5 years. I work at the hospital and I have a seven year old son that I give my full attention too. I work for Michelin, I’m single and I’m a supervisor there. Thank you!Allen, for your help, your welcome. Hey Terry, can we keep in touch, sure Allen, Terry smiled. Here’s my number and she handed Allen a piece of paper. Thank you! I will call you soon. Look me up on messenger or Facebook under Allen Wilson, ok I will later.

 Allen,  had never been so excited,  he was so happy that he had met Terry. A few days had gone by and Allen, could no longer keep from calling Terry. The phone rang and rang but no answer. Allen, decided to wait. Later that evening Terry called. Hello this is Terry, I missed a call from this number. Yes Terry, it’s me Allen, oh  how nice sorry I was at work and were not allowed to answer our phones. That’s ok I’m glad you returned my call. I work different shift on different weeks but I can let you know my schedule. That would be nice said Allen. Terry, I would like to take you out for dinner and by the way what is your sons name?  My sons name is Adrian, that’s a nice name. He may come along if you like. No not on our first date but it’s nice of you to invite him. Well Terry, you see it’s not like your alone you have a child and I’m ok with that. I’m sure we would get along just fine. I don’t know Allen, ok think about it. I’m just saying, I know your a package deal. Wow Allen, I have never had anyone invite my son along. Allen laughed, I’m a different breed. Thank you Allen, that goes a long ways with me. Well I hope we go a long ways together and he smiled. 
     Well what about this Friday, can I take you to the Texas road house and eat, sure I will be happy to go. Friday came around and Terry was ready to go Allen called and said he would be by at 6:30 pm. When Allen arrived Adrian, answered the door. Hello you must be Adrian? Yes sir I am and Allen shook his hand. Is your mom here? Yes sir sorry come on in. Thank you!  What a nice home Adrian, yes we love it here. Mom is in the other room. Hello Terry it’s me Allen, come on in here almost done. Adrian, let’s go to Texas road house, really I can go , it will be fun. Mom can I go? Sure since Allen, invited you let’s go. 

Gee thanks, your a cool guy. Once at the restaurant they all ordered and they started talking about everything and anything. Adrian, was so happy that he was invited. Adrian told Allen, you know I have never been on a dinner date with any of my moms friends. Well I take that back she doesn’t have any friends I guess because of me. That’s not true not because of you. Well then why mom, because they don’t like me . Not true! Look Adrian, I don’t date because I have you and the truth is most men don’t want a child involved. I knew it! Well Adrian, this is not the case here I think you and I can become great friends. Yes! I would like that. Terry, just smiled and told Allen, I think you just made a friend and you got your hands full now. Not a problem!

     As time went on Terry and Allen, became closer and closer. Allen and Adrian, would do things together they would hike and fish go on rides. One day at the park Allen asked Adrian, how do you feel about me ?  Allen what do you mean? 

You know Adrian, I really love your mom, but I know since you’re the little man of the house I feel like I need to talk to you first. I hope you don’t get upset but it’s been almost two years now and I really love your mom and I love you too. I want your permission to marry your mom. Adrian, hugged Allen, you have my permission but you really need to get hers. Thanks Adrian, now I need to find the right time to ask her. Not a word to your mom ok. Sure I’ll keep it a secret. A few weeks went by and they all were sitting around the house grilling and Allen decided to ask Terry to merry him. Allen and Adrian, had it all planned out. Mom, come see ! What is it! look what Allen got you. Oh how pretty, these flowers are beautiful, there was a card, and Terry opened it. The card read I have something to tell you! Terry, was very quiet she didn’t know what to think . That’s when Allen kneeled in front of her and opened up a ring box. Terry will you marry me! Terry had tears in her eyes and she looked at Adrian, mom it’s ok ! It’s ok mom! Terry said yes, and Allen and Adrian and Terry they all hugged. Adrian you knew about this? Yes! mom, Allen came to me first, he’s a great guy. I love him as much as I love you. We’ll be good as a family. Thank you ! Adrian, your welcome dad. And Allen smiled your a great son.

 Terry and Allen, got married and they enjoyed doing things together. Adrian and Allen were involved in many activities and always got along and respected each other. Adrian grew up to be a great person finished school and college became very successful. Eventually married a great woman had four kids and Terry and Allen enjoyed spending time with them. Adrian, considered Allen to be like his real dad. He never acted any different. Allen, considered Adrians kids as if he was a real grandpa the kids loved him. Terry, loved Allen, and remained together till love do them apart.
 A romance that lasted a life time that started over some spilled items in a grocery store.
                            

                            Written By:
                            Ghostrider 
                             6-5-2021

Next please.

Jeans. Band tee. Casual. He comes to my checkout with cheap beef and fresh vegetables. Stir fry, perhaps. ‘Hey how you going’, I say. I’m contractually obligated to ask everyone I serve. He smiles at me, ‘I’m well. How are you?’ He seems to actually expect an answer. ‘Good, thank you. Receipt’s in the bag.’

Dark chinos. Dress shoes. Polo with his workplace logo. Hair slicked back. His cart has a bottle of vodka and six packets of chips. ‘Hello again...Chris.’ I point to the badge on his chest. ‘Hello again...Drake.’ He points back, ‘cool name, by the way.’

‘Thanks, I picked it myself.’ It’s a cliché trans joke, and he laughs like an insider. I swipe the items through one by one and bag them. ‘You having a party?’ ‘I am, indeed.’ ‘Hope it’s a good night. Receipts in the bag.’

Suit. Tie. Floral socks. The guy with him is dressed the same, but much taller. They head to the toiletries aisle and then stumble up to my counter. ‘Drake.’ He nods. The word comes out slow and garbled. ‘Chris. What can I get for you two?’ ‘These,’ the new man says, throwing a box of Durex at me, ‘and a pack of Winnie Blues.’ Chris blushes. He sways like it might fall over. Our nameless Prince Charming doesn’t look at me once. I’m just a self serve checkout with inconvenient extra steps. ‘Receipt?’ I offer. Charming dismisses me with a wave of his hand.

Blue Gatorade. Panadol. Chris comes in alone in sweats and a pair of sunglasses. ‘Rough night?’ I offer. ‘You could say that.’ I could see the strain of a headache between his brows. ‘The yellow one is better for hangovers.’ ‘Huh?’ I point to the blue bottle. ‘The yellow is better.’ He leans down to the fridge and swaps blue for yellow. The fridge with sodas and chocolate bars at kid height. ‘I’ll try anything.’ ‘Receipt?’ ‘Nah.’

Cliff bars. Protein powder. Iced coffee. Athletic clothes. ‘Thanks for the tip.’ He says. Our eyes meet and my heart pounds. God, he is beautiful. ‘Huh?’ I have a thousand thoughts and get a single word to come out. ‘Yellow Gatorade. Did the trick. You were right.’ ‘Oh. Glad I could help.’

For months it’s protein powder, chicken breast, and vegetables. He starts wearing sleeveless shirts as his biceps swell to superhero proportions. It’s all small talk and polite chit chat. Occasional flirtation.

Frozen meals. A bottle of vodka. Yellow Gatorade. He’s shucked the athletic wear for oversized hoodie and stained sweatpants. His eyes are rimmed in swollen red. He shuffles to the checkout like a zombie. ‘Receipt?’ He mouth ‘no’ but is silent.

His weekly shop continues to consist of frozen meals and Gatorade. A bottle of vodka turns to three turns to five each week. The sunglasses become a permanent feature of his face. Attempts to talk to him are met with stony silence.

One bottle of vodka. No food. A packet of razor blades. I have never seen him buy the rest of the razor. ‘Chris. Hey, how you going?’ I am contractually obligated to ask, but I really want to know. ‘I’m all good, Drake. All good.’ ‘You don’t have to sugar coat it for me. I really want to know. Are you okay?’ Chris’ body starts to tremble. His mouth a tight line. Tears drip from behind his sunglasses. ‘Listen. Do you want to go somewhere quiet for a bit?’ He nods. I take him into the cool room behind the dairy section. Our breath fogs in front of us. We sit cross-legged on the concrete like children. I can’t tell if he’s sobbing or shivering. Maybe both.

‘Okay. Can you tell me what’s been going on lately?’ He takes in a raspy breath and then tells me everything. The breakup with Prince Charming. The coming out to family. The rejection. The hopelessness. The drinking. The note he’s already written. The plan to disappear.

I tell him about my own family. My own rejection. How I never hear from them. My own notes. How I’m still here in spite of everything.

Oh, how resilient we are.

‘Can I ask you a question?’ He pulls the sunglasses from his face. ‘Of course.’ He hesitates. Fidgets. ‘Can…can I kiss you?’ I nod. We kiss until we are warm and dazed.

Chris gives me the blades he bought. I refund them and return them to the shelf.

I had to rush to get booze for my party. Storming into my local grocery store, I navigated the tornado that was me to the alcohol section. Once there, I brewed and stirred indecisive and in a hurry. Finally, taking a plunge on a bottle of rosé. I grabbed and turned. Right into someone. The bottle became such a burden for my clumsy fingers that it fell and crashed onto the tiles and exploded like a cluster bomb, all over my new trousers I ad bought especially for the party.

“Oh my god!” I exclaimed. “I’m so sorry!” He apologised. I looked up and saw equally wet trousers. I scanned further up and observed a fit body behind a tight cotton t-shirt. My eyes landed on his face. A handsome and stubbly guy. “Hey.” He said. “I live close-by…” “Don’t worry it!” I cut him short. You’d think I was in a hurry to get somewhere but actually I was just too nervous to speak to him. I picked another bottle and ran out to my return to my party.

A couple weeks later, I’m cooking dinner for friends and I’m choosing my vegetables. Getting to the aubergine, I’m gauging the size requirements of my vegetable bake.

“Does size really matter?” A familiar voice interrupted my rough calculations in my head. I turned around and the aubergine hit him right in the face.

“Oh god! I’m sorry.” I exclaimed. “Usually I would prefer dinner before…” he joked. It was the hot guy I had bumped into before, literally, and I forced out a coy chuckle, followed by an awkward smile. “Sorry, I need to…” he points to the aubergine. “judge some myself. And decide which ones will be accepted into my niche group of friends.”

I apologised. And bowed back like a reversing vehicle.

“What’s your name?” He asks. “J-Josh.” I stutter. “I’m Sam. I hope to bump into you again.” I smiled and put the aubergine into my trolley and again rushed away. At the end of the aisle, I turn around and see him weighing the aubergine just as I did. He looks up and starts waving it at me. I laughed and he smiled.

Grocery shopping might have just got a lot more interesting!

He first came through my line with a too big smile and honestly I thought nothing of him. Just another customer.

He kept coming though. And eventually I knew his face. His smile was the first thing to catch my eye. He smiled too much and he told bad jokes. But he was cute, so it worked.

He started coming by more often, but it seemed like he rarely bought food. Every few days and always with the same thing. A box of wine and a bottle of vodka.

“Breakfast of the champions” he said with a crooked smile.

He started wearing glasses last month. He looked so soft with them but they hid his eyes so I can’t decide if I like them or not. Either way he told me he liked my haircut so I’m planning our marriage for the fall.

The last time he came in, he never looked up. He just set his box and his bottle on the table and quietly took out his wallet. I hope he’s okay.

It’s been a couple of weeks now. I’m in mourning. Or I was. But the bell just rang and guess who? It’s Crooked Smile himself.

He disappeared into the aisles and I rehearsed my lines in my head. I was still deciding whether or not it would be weird to say I missed him when he approached with his arms full of ramen and vodka.

“Hey! Long time no see. No wine today?”

“No, turns out I’m supposed to eat too. Weird right? This thing should have come with a manual.”

Instead of a smile his mouth just tightened. I laughed anyway and the corners turned up a little. I’ll take it as a win.

He was on his way out and I watched as he paused at the door. He took a step forward and hesitated again.

“Everything okay?”

He turned around.

“Yeah I just- yeah.” And he hurried away.

Shy boy. Be still my heart. ~ He came back again today. His hair was pointing in every direction and there was purple under his eyes. I don’t know why but my heart felt heavy in my chest when he left. ~ I told my best friend about him. She says I should give him my number and I just might. He’ll be back in a few days. ~ I wasn’t wrong. He was back. But his eyes were puffy, and the bags under them were heavy. He didn’t look so good. I don’t think now is a good time. ~ He wasn’t looking better the next time either. Or the next. Or the next. In fact, he seemed to be getting worse. He didn’t make jokes anymore or smile his crooked smile.

In fact he didn’t say anything. He moved so sluggishly it was as if gravity itself was trying to hold him in place. I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Are you okay?”

He looked through me at first. His eyes were glazed over and for a moment I don’t think he heard me. Then they welled up and before I knew it they spilled over.

He left his things on the counter and walked away, wiping his eyes with his sleeves. I couldn’t just leave it at that. I clocked out of my register and bolted out the front door. I don’t know what I expected to find but when I saw him bent over his steering wheel my heart broke.

I tapped on the glass.

His head jerked up and he nearly jumped out of his seat.

“I’m sorry! I just- you haven’t been yourself lately and-“

He just stared at me, tears still streaming down his face, frozen.

“Can I hug you?” I asked him. He didn’t respond but the locks on his car clicked and the door popped open. He stepped out of the car and I opened my arms. He collapsed into them.

I didn’t speak anymore, I just held him there in the parking lot until his choking sobs gave way to steady breaths. When he was finished crying he pulled away.

“Thank you.” He said.

“Of course. I-“

“I’m Robbie.”

“Charlie. Do you want to get coffee?”

“How about a beer?”

“Yeah. Let’s.”

I walked through the glass automatic doors of the store as I did at least thrice a week now. Being a very amateur baker was fun and rewarding, but surely tiresome in the buying goods department. As I walked around the aisles searching for my favorite type of oil, someone caught my eye. Offering free samples out of cake, they stood behind the small coaster of treats and gave me a smile. “Would you like to try some cake?” I recognized the voice, and quickly returned the kind expression and nodded. Who would turn down cake? As I got closer I read their name tag: Bailey. That is why they looked so familiar, we took a class together at the local university. I soon waved and left, happy with my supplies and little treat. Only two days later, I was back again, this time, for flour, and Bailey was letting people sample cookies. Of course, a foodie like myself of couldn’t resist. “Thanks, Bailey!” I said. Next time we met in the store, they were shopping. Giving them a wave, I smiled and did my shopping, I needed apples for an apple pie. Turns out Bailey needed some too, and we both had a awkward blush rise to our face. “So Adam, why do you shop so often?” They teased me and I chuckled, wondering what to say. “Obviously I’ve got nothing better to do,” I said. We joked and laughed and then exchanged numbers. Even though we ended up dating, I still will snag up a free sample from Bailey any day of the week.

I woke up this morning knowing I had to go get groceries for my house. So I got up got dressed did my hair and makeup and was ready to go. When I arrived at Walmart there was a lot of people there. As I am going down every isle getting the things I need I then go down isle 10 and see the one person who caught my eye she is so stunning and beautiful! She smiled at me and winked omg is this actually happening as I am looking for the thing on my list I hear a voice behind me say excuse me and I moved out of the way. We then reach for the same thing and our hands touch I felt a spark right there! We both smiled at each other and I turned red. Looking into her eyes I could see my future we then stood there and started talking after that I finally grabbed the item I needed and she called my name before I left and asked for my number since that day I have been with her since and now we live together in our house with my dog. I can’t believe I fell in love in a grocery store who knew.