Can I Help You?

I went to Safeway for a couple of groceries after work today. Its a pretty old school Safeway complete with the swooping sign in the front and the circular item movers as opposed to the more modern belts. It reminded me of eons ago when I would shop at a similarly aged and non-renovated Safeway at Main and Inkster.

I would go to this Safeway very nearly everyday. It was back when I would make dinner by the seat of my pants and go grab the necessities on my way home each day, often times not even knowing what that would be till I went in and wandered for a bit. Every single time I went in there, the same stock boy/clerk person would ask me if I needed anything. Can I help you? Is there anything I can help you find? Can I help you? Are you finding everything ok? Can I help you?

One particular day he got me in just about every aisle. Same question. Dude. Its not that busy in here. You can't possibly have shown concern for the shopping success of a million other people tonight. I'm the SAME CHICK you asked the SAME QUESTION to one aisle over. And the one before that. No thanks. I'm fine. Yes I found everything I was looking for. No thanks. I'm good.

Finally, after the fourth aisle, he appeared again to ask if he could help me. After the briefest moment of considering a mental disability I decided he could help me after all.

"Can I help you with anything?"
"Yes. Can you tell me what I should make my husband for supper?"
Silence.
Silence.
I break the awkward hush that fell upon the store with a giggle and yet another assurance that no, no strange man, you cannot help me. Not tonight.