The Grocery Store

Yesterday I went to the grocery store, and almost immediately fell victim to a senseless crime. I've never been a crime victim before -- other than being dumped by a few boyfriends in my younger days -- so I found myself quite angry for a while. Here's what happened. I grabbed a cart and, as usual, slung my precious collection of reusable shopping bags over the handle. I then parked the otherwise empty cart by the fruit while I went to choose some flowers. Upon my return, the cart was gone -- along with my shopping bags. I did a search of the aisles, figuring that it was just a mistake by some half-blind dunderhead; the bags would be easy to spot. But no, didn't see anything. I checked with the service desk... nada. I concluded that some fiend actually wanted the bags, and went off with the cart and moved the bags into the cart so they wouldn't show. People these days are capable of just the worst outrages; one's shopping bags are quite nearly sacred.

As if to console me, the Fates offered something in return. As I was in the check-out line, a youngish man walked by heading toward the exit. His cart had 3 bouquets of red roses and enough "Happy Valentine's Day" helium balloons to float the Hindenburg. And I thought to myself: "Guess who forgot it was Valentine's Day this morning and is now in a heap of trouble..." It's nice to know Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos still have a sense of humor.