Past Midnight
I allow myself to pause somewhat from my daily miles and spend some time stationary to watch an old movie in BlueRay. It still has that old kick to it, and the amazing clarity is like watching it anew. Some moments later, discipline finally winning over inertia I continue down to-do Lane. A gallon of milk and some other nightly rituals before I can get some shuteye. The fast sprints and slow workday empty my tank, and a sour mood creeps its way in, as I cross 110th Street.
I think to myself that I can swiftly maneuver the aisles and grab a milk and escape to dreamland. Unopened boxes and other late night shoppers block my plan. Maybe the next aisle over, or the next. I finally get to the back of the store, cursing that person that discovered putting the milk back there forces all of us to walk past items we might not need.
I smile bleakly towards a coed, more to get her to let me pass than anything else. She smiles back and tussles with her hair. I think to myself, why didn’t this happen more when I was younger? Maybe it did, and I just better understand the signs now. I pick up the milk and make it over to the checkout area.
An elderly couple is slowly inching forward on checkout #1. I try to see what else is going on. Is #3 the racehorse to bet on? Sigh, its a muddy track and the purse isn’t motivating anyone this night. I settle behind the elderly.
The West African cashier is playing a game with the old man. She clearly has a 20 in her hand, but she keeps saying its a ‘ten’. He utters something but I can’t quite catch it. Then he hands her 3 singles, and she says its a ‘five’ and now she has 8 bucks. In my rush, I’m annoyed but intrigued by this little game. It goes back and forth a couple times more. By now their smiles and banter have erased my sour mood. They get their change and walk away.
The cashier has a large smile for me. Its infectious and we chat for a minute. She explains later that he just turned 88 recently, and that was his daughter. She confesses that she is enamored by the guy. More details about him. I say I wish I’ll be so healthy and surrounded by loving people, too.
I walk out of the store a bit lighter despite the 8.6 pounds of milk.
