Making my way through aisle 5
Recently I ventured out to the supermarket. Honestly I’m not a hoarder. Pre-quarantine I seemed to go to the market every few days which I know is considered unhealthy now in these social distancing days. Callout culture might get angry with me. I’m just not good at buying for weeks on end. Especially since my daughter and I like fresh produce. I’ve reduced my visits to once a week now- masked of course.
When I got to the store that day the parking lot was only half full. As soon as I got to the door I saw the “No reusable bags” sign. I wondered what they’re doing in places like California where single use plastic bags are illegal? Maybe paper bags. While the Starbucks barista was there, the seating area has been quarantined off. Maybe they could have just 1 seat open and sanitize it after a guest left?
My first stop was in produce. I wanted to get some grapes. I had a coupon for 2 lbs of grapes. I started to pick up the presaged bags of grapes. The first bag was clearly less than 2 lbs. I tried weighing another bag in my hand. Then I thought, “Did other people do the same thing? Who has been touching these bags? “ I picked up my last bag and hoped for 2 lbs. A similar thing happened when I went to the deli. I wanted some prepackaged lunch meat. Some of the lunchmeat packages had stickers on them for 1/2 price. I picked through the packages for one that looked appealing. Wait? What was I doing? Then I went to the precut cheese. Damn if I didn’t do the same thing searching for the right size cheese. It’s hard to shop without doing my regular “thing”.
As I passed people in aisles I smiled- well I smiled but all they saw were my smiling eyes. Some people smiled back. Some people rolled by quickly. Not being 6 feet apart has become akin to the 5 second rule when you drop a bit of food on the ground. If you roll by quickly no germs shall pass...
An announcement came over the loudspeaker, “Be courteous to your fellow shoppers- stay 6 feet away”. The eeriness of the store and the announcement made me feel like I was on the set of “The Handmaids Tale”. Blessed be the fruit- I found table napkins! I had been out for over 2 weeks. Not truly necessary when you have paper towels but I am still grateful.
At one point I scratched my face. Oh my gosh- my face! Don’t touch your face!
When I went to check out I was worried. I had a lot of coupons. I was hopeful the cashier would take them. She did- in her gloved hand. I wondered if she would change gloves after our interaction. Before I left she said, “I’m wishing good health to you and your family”. I wished her the same and thanked her for actually working at the store. When the virus is over I will look for her and hug her. “Schelly” her name tag said.
When I got to the parking lot I saw a car with a “Killers” bumper sticker. I love the Killers! Under normal circumstances I would have stopped and told the car owner of my fandom. But things now are not normal. I couldn’t imagine myself yelling my interests from 6 feet away. So my fandom announcement will be silent for another time. I want to remember this moment. In a more normal future I plan to be friendlier and announce my likes to all car owners with likable bumper stickers. I want to be grateful for a mask free face and not being feared as I roll through aisles. Someday....