Part-Time Criminal

There’s an old Hollywood expression known as ‘meet cute’. In a film or television show) it’s an amusing or charming first encounter between two characters that leads to the development of a romantic relationship between them. This scene seems to fit that category perfectly.

He always shopped on Saturday night. The stores weren’t crowded, so it was easier to make his selections. Simon started to fill his cart with cans of soup, boxes of crackers, macaroni and cheese and sugary cereal. Nearing the end of the aisle, someone thumped into his cart.  He glanced up and found an attractive woman with shoulder length brown hair smiling apologetically.

          “I’m terribly sorry. Every cart I pick always has square wheels and a mind of its own.” Her voice was deep and throaty, as if she were holding back a laugh.

          “Not a problem. I doubt you did my groceries any harm.”

          She gazed down at the contents in his cart and slowly shook her head. “A nuclear explosion couldn’t damage your choices. That stuff will kill you in a slow, painful way.”

          “I’m not much of a cook.”

          “You just need someone to show you healthier options. I’m willing to offer my services free of charge.”

          Simon had never encountered someone flirting with him. Her smile was contagious. Simon noticed how it reached her eyes, causing them to sparkle.

          “I’ll give it some thought.”

          She wiggled her fingers at him. “It’s a limited time offer.” She pulled her cart back and continued down the aisle.

          Simon turned the corner. Halfway down the next aisle their paths crossed again. She winked at him. He smiled and shook his head in amusement.  When they reached the back of the store where the dairy and frozen foods were, Simon removed several containers of frozen dinners from the freezers. When he turned she was standing there, caught in the act.

          “What are you doing?” he asked.

          “I couldn’t resist it,” she said sheepishly.   He noticed a large package of dried pineapple was now in his cart. Looking closely, he discovered several of the items he’d selected had been replaced.

          “You’re like the nutrition police of grocery shopping,” he said with a grin. “Do you work for the FDA or the AMA?”

          “Those other things are so bad for you.” Without waiting for a response she took the packages from his hands and returned them to the freezer.  She glided away from the frozen dinners and selected a package of boneless skinless chicken breasts and dropped that in his cart.

          Simon was shaking his head. “I don’t know how to cook.”

          “Your wife will thank me,” she said.

          “I’m not married.”

          Her cheeks flushed red for an instant. “I’ll teach you how to cook.  It’s part of the deal. You watch. You’re going to feel better within a week.”  She turned her cart toward the front of the store, motioning for him to follow. “If I’m wrong, I’ll buy all that junk food for you.”

          Dumbfounded, Simon watched her take the few healthy items from his cart and load them into hers.  Then she wiggled her fingers at him again, leaving his cart behind.

          Uncertain where this might lead, he followed her out of the store.