Old Friends

Two older ladies came into the store today. One had a blue jacket and the other a cream blazer. They didn’t know what they were doing, but they ordered sandwiches.

I want bacon, said Cream Blazer.

Oh, is that bacon? said Blue Jacket. I burnt a whole pound of bacon in the oven last night! I didn’t know what I was doing. She chuckled self-deprecatingly and looked at me. But now I do!

Trial and error, I agreed.

I helped them at the register. I want water, said Cream Blazer.

Okay, I said.

Water, she repeated.

It’s in the cooler over there, I pointed.

Oh.

I’ll put it in and then you can go get it.

She went to get her water. Blue Jacket perused the donuts.

Cream Blazed came back with her water and said to me, Could you open it?

Give it to me, said Blue Jacket. I can open it.

She opened it and I said, I can hardly open them. I got a blister from opening them.

That made them laugh. Old ladies can be tough, said one of them.

Blue Jacket motioned to the donuts. Do you want some, she asked.

Cream Blazer looked over. I need to eat my sandwich first. Best if we wait.

They giggled.

She beckoned to Blue Jacket. Do you want water?

I want coke, said Blue Jacket.

It’s also in the cooler, I replied.

Is it bottled?

Yes.

I’m not a bottle girl. I want it in a cup.

You can pour it into a cup.

What?

You can buy a bottle and pour it into a cup. The cups are by the fountain drinks. We don’t have coke by the fountain.

Oh, she chuckled. Okay.

Wait, I said. We do have coke. I just remembered.

Is it diet or sugar free, she asked.

It’s organic.

We looked at each other in mutual puzzlement.

I’ll try it, she said in a burst of bravado.

Now, how do you do this, she asked.

I’ll do it for you, I offered.

You can show me and then I’ll know how.

She watched me fill the cup and said, You really know what you’re doing. How long have you been going-referring to the store.

They’ve been open since November but I started three weeks ago, I said.

She teased me. You can’t even open a water bottle. Better toughen up.

I have a blister, I protested. See, and I showed her.

You’ll do, she said. Do you like working here?

Oh yes, I replied. Much better than working at a butcher shop.

Her eyes widened.

It’s a lot easier, I said, laughing as I gestured around.

I’m sure it is, she exclaimed.

I worked at a greenhouse and I also taught school for half a year.

You taught school!...

Yes, 11 and 12 year olds. I miss them.

The kids, she asked. Surely not the teaching.

I don’t miss the disciplining, I replied, but I sure miss the kids. The energy and stuff.

I understand, she said. My niece taught-she’s retired now-she subs because she says she misses the kids. She can tell them, I used to teach your daddy. That throws ‘em for a loop.

We both laughed.

Enjoy your meal, I said as I handed her the cup.

Linda Peachey, 2021