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