Really?!

Is there anything worse than standing in line at the grocery? Especially when you’re on your lunch break; every lane is taken by people with carts overflowing with food. Even the 15 items or less lanes. Heaven forbid that stores enforce the 15 items or less policy.

Because we want the almighty dollar, we aren’t going to make customers wear a mask either. What Covid? I was beyond frustrated. So what’s a girl to do? Suck it up. Rant in your head and impatiently wait my turn. I hate going to the grocery. I’m never going to get out of here. They should have a special line for people on their lunch. But they wouldn’t enforce it either. I used to get up early and go before work. That turned out to be a hot mess too.

“This is a load of horse, bull, chicken, piled high manure!” The man behind me reached around me pulling a magazine off the rack and started angrily turning the pages. “I don’t know what’s worse; the garbage they print or the people that buy it?” He looked up from his outburst, “I’m sorry. This just grates my last nerve. There used to be integrity in journalism. Now it’s all about ratings and money. “

I smiled, in my head I said, ‘he has a mask on. Oh yeah.’ Outwardly I said, “It’s okay, I agree. I think you should get fired if you report garbage. And I don’t think your opinion is news.” I’m not really big on talking to strangers. But why not, this line isn’t moving.

“What‘s going on today? Why are there so many people out?”

I didn’t miss a beat, “zombie apocalypse.” Even with a mask on, I could tell he wanted to bust out laughing. My stomach let out some very rude sounds.

“Lunch break?” He asked.

“For what it’s worth.”

“I know we just met but if you’re up for it, I’d like to introduce you to my boss. I think you too would hit it off.”

“Why not?”

“Here’s my card.” It was a plain white card with a phone number written in black ink.

Now I know what your thinking, ‘what could be weirder than hooking up with someone in the grocery aisle?’ This situation didn’t make me feel weird. No little red flags went off in my brain. This could be interesting. Plus if dude likes his job he’s not going to introduce his boss to someone that’s gonna spoil that setup. “Thank you.” Finally it was my turn; I paid for my lunch, turned to the stranger, “have an amazing day. I’ll be calling soon.”