#15

There is a long line for the cashier at the grocery store. Only one aisle is open because it is not usually busy at this time. But today was unlike a usual day, thinks the cashier.

A woman walks into the store and grabs a canister of prunes. She looks at the long line and blows out a breath very loudly and in a manner that makes her own bangs flutter above her forehead.

“Next.” The cashier says.

The prune woman makes a move to the register and announces “I’m only here for prunes. I’ll be out before you know it.”

The other shoppers are in shock. No one moves except for their jaws, which hang down to their collarbones. The cashier looks from the prunes to the line and back to the prunes. He wishes someone would tell the woman this is not appropriate. But in a way, she is correct. This will only take a moment. So he rings her up, and while he is doing this his mind begins to think of excuses he can tell the other shoppers when they come up to him with anger and annoyances in their pink faces.

She had a gun. She is crazy. She is my grandmother. I am a coward.