Girly Mom

The other day I went to the grocery store with my children.  I don’t recommend it, but sometimes we do what we have to do.

I approached the deli counter.  A girl rushed over from the far side to take my order.  She winked at me, then asked, “What can I get for you?”  I smiled and placed my order for 1/2 pound of honey maple ham.  She returned the smile, with another wink, and proceeded with the slicing.

Meanwhile, my kids spotted the drink machine.  I gave in to their cries of looming death from dehydration and let them get a drink.  It was a fountain drink machine, so they each made a suicide (mixing all the drink flavors).  As I watched their assault on the machine, I heard Deli Girl’s voice.

“Sorry,” I said.  “Did you need something?”

Deli Girl asked, “How are these slices?” and winked at me again.  Huh?

“Great,” I replied, a little uncomfortably.

“Would you like a taste?” Deli Girl asked, never taking her eyes off me.

I told her no thanks and turned back to the kids.  Why was she staring at me?

I walked over to my kids, who were on the verge of spilling their drinks while trying to put lids on them. By some small miracle, we got the lids on without any mess.  As soon as I turned around, there she was, Deli Girl, with my bag of ham.

“Here you go.” she said, standing oddly close to me.

“Thanks.”

“I LOVE your handbag.  It looks sooo good,” Deli Girl said, still all up in my personal space.

I was feeling beyond uncomfortable.  This was more than good customer service.  She must have an agenda here.  What did she want from me?

I quickly told her where I purchased my bag and that it wasn’t expensive at all (I do love a bargain).  I thanked her for bringing the ham out to me and herded my kids towards the fruits and vegetables, relieved to put some distance between us.

While perusing the fruit, I looked up to check on my kids, who were now trying to sneak stuff into the shopping cart.  Guess who was heading my way, smiling bigger than ever?  Yes!

Deli Girl slowed a little as she approached me, then passed and disappeared into a back room.  Was she stalking me?

The next day, I pulled out the deli ham to make a sandwich.  I realized Deli Girl had given me one pound of deli ham but only charged me for the 1/2 pound I ordered.

And then it hit me.  I mean, all the clues were there.  She smiled and winked at me.  She wanted to talk and be close to me.  She complimented my good taste in accessories.  She even gave me free stuff.  Who does that?

Deli Girl, that’s who.  She wants me for her new best friend.

Well, I accept.  I mean, what more could you want in a friend than someone who lights up when she sees you and gives you free meat?

See you next week, BFF!