The scent of fresh produce mixed with sweat from anxious shoppers lingered in the air. Geoff worked up a sweat often, especially on his hikes. This smell was…different. He couldn’t put his finger on it.
Teddy filled the cart with whatever vegetables and fruits there were and motioned for Geoff to follow him. A woman rushed past Geoff to grab the last kiwi on the shelf and moved on.
“What is wrong with people?” Geoff glared at the woman.
“Panic shopping,” Teddy said. “They do this every year. I think this year is worse, though, because of the news.”
“I don’t see how people don’t plan for this,” Geoff said.
“That’s why I keep plenty of non-perishables at the house. We only need a few things.”
They found themselves in a sea of people in the bread aisle.
“Grab some bread,” Teddy said. “We get Sun Valley whole grain.”
Geoff grabbed two loaves and placed them in the cart. He reached for a third, but Teddy grabbed his hand.
“I think we should leave that one,” Teddy said. “We don’t want to be greedy. Let someone else have it.”
Geoff nodded and put it back. A woman in a flowery dress snatched it up the instant Geoff put it back.
Teddy stopped in the baking aisle to grab baking chocolate, flour, and some extracts.
“Should we get stuff to make s’mores?” Teddy asked, looking over at Geoff with a smile.
“Do you want s’mores?”
“Yes,” Teddy said with a grin.
“Then you shall have s’mores.” His smile melted Teddy’s heart.
They grabbed marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars.
“I think that’s everything,” Teddy said, scratching off the last items on his list.
“What about Christmas dinner?” They were closed for the three days surrounding Christmas to celebrate, but it seemed they’d have even more time to spend alone now.
Teddy usually went all out with ham, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
“I already bought what I needed over the weekend,” Teddy said. “Which we’re lucky I did. There are no hams, turkeys, or anything left.”
“Smart.”
“Why, thank you.”
They paid and loaded up the truck.
“Do we have enough?” Geoff asked.
“I think we have plenty,” Teddy said. “We could have three other people with us and still have enough for three weeks.”
Geoff laughed.
They headed up the dirt road home, leaving the picturesque village behind them.
“I think I want to take a hot bath with a glass of wine when we unload everything,” Teddy said.
“Why don’t we relax in the hot tub instead?” Geoff said. “Then we can cuddle up.”
