A new world, truly.
Because I have fewer underlying conditions
I volunteered to be
head grocery shopper for our household.
An honor though not without its own perils.
I like to think of myself as a type of domestic first responder.
This morning Katja gave me the weekly list
and I set out for Clifton Market.
Most items were a snap:
Peanut butter, black olives, greenish bananas,
dog food, unsalted butter, Bounty paper towels.
More challenging, the unsweetened cocoanut,
but I enlisted a shelf-stocking lad
who guided me straight to my item.
I eventually found the vinegar department myself
but had to call home on to see
if “apple cider vinegar”
were the same as the
“cider vinegar” on my list.
(It was.)
Two avocados made up the final items
on my scavenger hunt
and I asked a masked pale-skinned clerk
where the avocados were.
She pointed to the end of the produce aisle
where I found a variety of exotic fruits
organized symmetrically in cardboard boxes.
Unfortunately only the mangoes and the kiwis were labelled.
Not entirely confident in my judgment
I picked out two dark green, lumpy, ovular fruits
and carried these back to the masked clerk.
“Would these be the avocados?” I asked hesitantly.
She looked at me strangely
and nodded affirmatively.
“Would you like my help in choosing some?” she volunteered.
Though appreciative, I graciously declined.
Walking home I reflected
how much I’ve grown
in my new responsibilities
as head grocery shopper.
