She walked down the
busy aisle observing all
the options. Red velvet, fudge,
strawberry and lemon. As she ran
her fingers through her thin black
hair she realized this grocery trip
could take a while.
Her concentration was broken
when her nine year old, Emi,
short for Emily, pulled on her
mother's long green cardigan.
"What sweetie?" as the tall,
poised, model-like mother glanced
down at her nine year old.
"Mommy, this one! Can we please
make the confetti cake with green
frosting?" Emi exclaimed.
An older lady gave a rude
glare at the mother. This was
not the firs time they were starred
out. Emi's energy seemed to be easily
noticed. Some people enjoyed it,
while others not so much. The mother
ignored the older lady and leaned down
to Emi. "How about we make a confetti cake
with vanilla frosting?"
Emi smiled so big and exclaimed, "Yes!"
She left her mother's side and began
to pretend she was a ballerina in the middle
of the Walmart aisle. She spun once and then
leaped. The mother laughed and began
to push the buggy.
Emi was much like her mother.
Always happy, gentle and never
complained of anything. Emi made
life easy for her mother.
The mother's heels tapped out of
an aisle, right into another. She was a
kind and gentle spirit, but the way she
walked gave off a different message.
Her focused eyes sent a message saying
she did not have time to let anyone in.
Keeping to herself she studied
the canned beans on the shelf.
Emi instantly jumped up reaching
for the can her mom always got.
Emi gripped it poorly. This resulted in
an almost explosive scene as the greens
and green juice splattered on the floor.
Emi went to stick her finger in
the mess. "Emi don't do that!"
exclaimed the mother. She began
to reach in her purse for a napkin.
"Don't worry miss, I'll take care of it,"
a strange, deep voice came from behind her.
"I am so sorry, are you sure?" the mother
asked. As she spun around embarrassed,
an attractive young man was already cleaning
it up. He had defined eyebrows and deep
dark brown eyes. His eyes looked much like
one of the frostings she had just seen on
the other aisle. Fudge brown eyes.
She quickly took Emi's little hand
and continued on her way.
As the young man cleaned up the mess,
he had a puzzled look on his face. Not
only was he surprised how fast she left
the scene, but there was something else.
He did not understand how it was
possible that such a young and beautiful
lady would be shopping alone. He began
to wonder where her man was. "If she
were mine, I'd never leave her side," he
thought to himself.
She finally finished her Christmas list
and went to checkout. Without realizing it
her eyes began to search the room for that
young man. Her focus was soon interrupted
by the lady who was waiting to check her out.
The worker irritably said, "Mam, you can swipe
or insert your card now."
The mother gathered her groceries and
began pushing the buggy out of the store.
Right before she left, something caught her eye.
She looked back over her shoulder. She could not
determine if she was impressed or confused
after what she saw.
As she glanced back, she recognized the
young man that had helped her. Except he
was not checking out any items, but rushing
to fill the empty space behind the register.
He hurrily put on his work vest.
The next few moments, the mother felt as if
she jumped into a slow motion film. Right before
she looked away, his eyes met hers. It was like
time froze. He smirked as she quickly turned
back around and left.
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