checkstand light aisle 2 was lit

he swung in behind a woman unburdening her cart

a strawberry blonde

petite

she turned back to gather a bottle of Hendricks gin

incorrect pleasingly not so petite

Neptunia hadnt seen that before

setting it on the conveyor she turned to remaining fragile items to top off her grocery bags she saw he had few items

Would you like to go ahead of me?

Fuck  green cateyesNo no thank you thas kind of you You beat me he laughed she laughed could see she had no idea why she was Im working on my patience

he heldup TOAD a library book

                                 And I have a book so its not like Im waiting

she mused  beautifully Patience. That comes with age.

Or injury Ive contendedcontending with both

Contend. musing beautifully again  she was killing him  That’s a nice way to say it.

A better way to think

Yes. Perhaps so.

Your Hendricks Neptunia I havent seen it befor . .

. . It’s delicious. Cucumber and Rose. Finishes with a smooth citrus whisper.

Sold  Ill take it

she laughed Get your own.

shed placed the last of her items on the conveyor and tried to reach for the divider bar to place it between their items couldnt reach it

he thought Maybe you can try again  Thank you

                                                Divider bar Gauche  The Dutch refer to it as a beurtbalkje

I like that. she smiled warmly  I won’t remember it but I like it.

Next time we happen in line together Ill remind you

You’ll remember me?

he smiled I think Ill remember you

                                     I miss grocery counters in Chicago in Missoula before conveyors Though I hope whoever they made millions from the concept

Growing up all the markets in Santa Monica had them.

I like Santa Monicawhich is rich  I dislike LA

                                                Howdya endup here if I may

Thank you.   I met a cowboy.

A nice cowboy

Began that way.

Ended

Yes. Yes it did.

                Our kids are in school. They have friends. I have friends. All in all, made lemonade.

she looked right as her groceries began to move forward  Awnuts, you’ll excuse me. I better bag or you’ll be reading a while.

baggers

         let someone else do more with less  must be a market mantra

since he always had few items he bagged himself

if there happened to be a bagger

                                   I got it Take a breather

he was walking  the canvasbag had to be packed particularly

                                                                 shit not casually tossed in Youre supposed to be a bagger

no sense of pride in their work

he was long over it

she finished bagging her items took her receipt was leaving What’s the word? 

Beurtbalkje

I told you I wouldn’t remember. I hope to see you again.

Thad be nice Be well

    he turned to the checker Howya doin kiddo

she giggled  

1440,  day-between-2-Ts,  24  7. 24

0954,  Thursday,  25  7. 24