Monster Cart

Trying to find a parking spot outside the Stop 'N Shop/Walmart complex can be difficult, especially during the holiday season. But we did, and I went looking for a cart, the minute I got out of the car.

My husband did not really want to be there, but since I reminded him that we are a "duo" now that we are both retired, he only moaned once while agreeing to come with me! When we entered the store, I noticed that there were only three carts to choose [from.] Naturally, I chose the one with the "I do what I want" wheel. Hey! It could have been worse..it could have been the cart with that loud, shrill sound that sends shivers up one's spine!! I knew my pushing would be hampered by the wheel, but this was not my first experience with such a cart.

We may have been in the seventh aisle, when my husband's fire department pager went off. Smooth Move, Gus. He smiled and said, "Gotta go..be back as soon as I can." Now, some of you may not know exactly what that means. Let me explain briefly. East Meadow does not have a paid fire department. You knew that. All firefighters/medics are volunteers. That being said, their commitment includes 'leaving your wife at Stop N Shop, while she finishes shopping' and you take off for the firehouse ..to volunteer!

I was by the detergents, when I realized that the monster cart was refusing to go any further. Understandably so, it was now filled to the brim, and its weight was making it difficult to go on. I sighed deeply, and with one giant push, succeeded in making the cart move forward! But what was this??!! A little old woman was on the floor directly in front of the cart and me. She was hollering obscenities! I didn't quite get it, but I swiftly ran around the cart to assist her in sitting up on the floor.

"Oh, my! Are you ok?" I asked with much concern.

"Now you ask.. after you knock me off my (expletive) rocker?!" She was dusting off her jacket sleeves and in her sitting position, on the dirty floor, she managed to tell me how she was holding on to the front of my monster cart, as she bent to retrieve a bottle of bleach from the bottom shelf. Oh, geeze! I felt terrible! I had not even seen her! Maybe, I was looking at the soaps, when she stooped; holding her balance on the cart.

"I thought the cart wheel was stuck and so, I pushed hard. I am so very sorry. Please let me help you, up off the floor," I said apologetically. As she was getting up, I glanced at the small crowd of shoppers that had come close to see what had happened. Amongst them, my husband with a silly grin on his face. With my free hand, I signalled for him to get closer.

He asked the lady if she wanted to go to the hospital. She answered no, but that she wanted, instead, to speak with the store manager. "Oh, no," I thought. She wants to file an accident report! She's going to sue the store for the faulty monster cart and sue me..for collaborating with it!! OMG!! I felt so badly for her. Obviously, she was too tough, to tell me that she was in pain, but maybe she really was.

The manager suddenly appeared from his office, and the little old lady started. But what she said, shocked us all. "How dare the (expletive) sale item of bleach be placed on the bottom shelf! How can anyone (expletive) reach it, without bending and maybe even, falling! All sale items should be placed on the middle shelf, so that they are seen! This is (expletive) ridiculous!! I wanted to kiss her good-bye, but I was afraid. My husband grabbed me and the cart and said, "I can't leave you alone for a minute without something crazy happening to you!" Wink, wink!!                   

 Peace.