The automatic doors slid open as she walked into the grocery store.
The grocery store wasn’t crowded. It wasn’t loud, thank god. Yet she still feels tight in the chest.
Her therapist would probably call this progress. “Exposure therapy” or whatever. Honestly she hated all of it. The fear of something really bad happening to her and no one being there to help her.
A month ago, she’d been eating whatever was left in the pantry just to avoid the trip altogether. Now she was standing inside the store with a shopping basket in hand.
“Get in, Get out and go home.” she muttered.
The fluorescent annoying lights overhead as she made her way toward the produce.
She focused on small things when she felt her breath get short.
The smell of bread from the bakery.
The squeak of cart wheels across the floor.
Anything to distract those stupid ‘what ifs.’
Her shoulders slowly loosened, maybe today wouldn’t be so bad.
By the time she reached the cereal aisle, She stood staring at the shelves, trying to remember which brand she’d treat herself to for stepping out today.
There were too many options.
Her eyes darted from box to box.
“You’ve been looking at those for three minutes.”
A man stood a few feet away with a shopping basket hanging from one arm.
Of course. Someone wants to 'talk' to me.
His tone wasn’t rude. Just matter of fact.
She glanced back at the cereal boxes.
“I don’t see why it matters, unless you are planning to buy my breakfast.
Something about the statement made her roll her eyes.
“Right, do you always watch strangers in grocery stores?” she asked.
The answer came a beat too quickly.
He looked at the shelves as well.
“There are too many choices.”
“Too many choices. Humans can't make up their minds fast enough.”
He then smiled suddenly in a better mood.
“I suppose that’s true for most things.”
“Uh…yeah..maybe,” she said.
Then he glanced at the basket in her hand.
“I should continue acquiring food.”
His expression changed instantly.
“Right. That is the word.”
The man offered a small nod.
Then he walked away down another aisle.
She watched him go for a second before turning back toward the cereal shelf.
The interaction felt exhausting, she wanted to Get in, Get out and get home. Though…the way that guy talked kinda stuck with her. Who the hell phrases shopping like that?
