I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March.  You should do it too!  Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing! 

On my way out of Wegmans I was rushed – already late, with a chest cold brewing. I just wanted to go home. I rounded the bend to the exit door, and found myself behind an elderly man slowly pushing his cart. He was in the middle of the corridor, blocking my way. I went a little to the right, a little to the left, but I didn’t want him to feel like I was annoyed. So, I just slowed my pace. I took a deep breath, and put a smile on my face.

I noticed that in front of the man was an elderly woman with her own cart. They matched, this woman and this man – both with the small two story cart, both with a couple of bags, both walking slowly. I noticed that the man had a cane resting on his cart, and I wondered if the cart was helping them each walk.

We made our way to the automatic doors, I felt like I was in a slow parade. Once both of them were outside, I noticed the woman stop and wait for the man. They had a short conversation, and I walked by. As I passed them, I started thinking about these people. Wondering about their story. Then I started hoping. I hoped that I will be lucky enough to one day go to the grocery store with an elderly Mr. Thought, both of us leaning on our individual carts, taking our time, chatting about this or that.

On my way back to my car I kept thinking about the couple. I noticed that the car beside me, the clean as a whistle sedan, had two hats resting on the shelf behind the backseat. As I stared at the hats, one plaid, one straw, I hoped it was their car. I could imagine them putting on their hats, maybe sitting outside with some tea and cookies when they got back from Wegmans.

I was a little disappointed to see them walk the other direction to a different car, but I was happy that I had slowed my pace, and allowed my imagination to whirl.