Too Many Hurting People

Strictly speaking, this isn't a Grocery Story because it happened at Kohl's department store.

The woman in front of me in the check out line held a fistful of pretty panties like a bouquet of colorful flowers. The checker, a bubbly girl in her early twenties, exclaimed over their dainty frilly-ness and chattered about how much she enjoyed pretty underthings as well.

The woman agreed, but said these were for her daughter at college. "I like to send her little things to let her know I miss her and I'm thinking about her."

Busy with the scanner, the checker's laugh sounded a little artificial. "I'd be happy to know my mother even remembers she has a daughter."

The woman was taken aback. "Well, that happens, I guess..."

"Yeah, some people just shouldn't be mothers. Hey, maybe you could adopt me!"

The checker laughed. The woman laughed. Standing next in line with my purchases, I laughed. But I'm not sure any of us thought it was funny.