1
DAVE
“Pocketful of Sunshine” has got to be the catchiest song of the early two-thousands.I hum to myself as I cruise the aisles of Target between study sessions.It’s eleven at night on a Friday, and while some people unwind with a drink, I find comfort in leisurely browsing the aisles, letting my mind wander aimlessly.Last semester, I decided to put my mindless strolling to good use and became a Dasher.It was the best decision, I got to destress and make some extra cash.Financial Independence, Retire Early life here I come.
I head to the refrigerated section, checking my phone for confirmation.I scan the milk selection a few times before messaging my customer.
Dave
Hi, this is Dave, your DoorDash shopper.Your oat milk is out of stock, but this brand has better ratings.
*sends picture of oat milk carton*
If you want, I can grab this one instead.
I pocket my phone and head toward the cereal aisle, contemplating if I overstepped.I mean, I sent two messages about oat milk.Usually, when an item is out of stock and the customer hasn’t provided a substitution, I’m supposed to mark it as unavailable and move on, but I can’t help it—it’s the people-pleaser in me.I want to make sure the person on the receiving end is happy, even if it’s just a simple grocery delivery.
I’m browsing the cereal selection, double-checking my app to verify the right size, when I feel a tug on my jacket.I glance down to see chubby fingers tugging at a sticker stuck to the elbow of my jacket.I smile at the gesture and find innocent hazel eyes staring back at me.
His mom hasn’t noticed our interaction yet; she’s focused on deciding between Apple Jacks or Froot Loops, and I don’t blame her, it’s theSophie’s Choiceof cereal options.Her blonde hair is pulled up into a high ponytail, and she’s wearing workout clothes paired with tennis shoes, which is practical for having a toddler.You need to be quick and adaptable to catch them because they’re wildly unpredictable.She reminds me of my sister, Eliana, who’s always multitasking.I’d bet she’s the eldest daughter type—the one who wants to take care of everyone.Eliana’s only six years older than me, but at thirty-three sometimes she feels more like a second mom than a sister.She’s always calling to check in and make sure that I eat, or asking if I’m seeing anyone.
The toddler—maybe two—sitting in the cart’s baby seat, with an open box of animal crackers.Ten bucks says he threw a tantrum and she caved.Honestly, no judgment from me—I’ve opened a bag of chips while shopping more times than I can count.If adults with twenty-plus years of life experience can snack mid-store, then toddlers who can’t even wipe their own asses definitely get a pass.
He reaches out trying to grab the sticker on my elbow again.I take pity on him and pull it off, handing it over.I’m rewarded with a wide grin.He reminds me of my nephew: same mischievous little smile, hazel eyes, blonde curls flopping over his forehead.No doubt this sticker is from the last time I saw him.I return the toddler’s smile, focusing back on my cereal selection, making a mental note to call my sister and offer to babysit my nephew one of these days.I’m sure she and her husband, Josh, could use some time off from the little gremlin.
I’m rearranging the handheld basket to fit all four boxes of cereal when a message buzzes through.
Sara
Yes, that would work.Milk and cereal are a necessity—please substitute with whatever is available.
I glance down at the four boxes of cereal she has on her list: Corn Pops, Cap’n Crunch, Frosted Flakes, and Honey Bunches of Oats.A very solid—and very chaotic—variety.
Dave
I’m on it for the milk.As for the cereal, everything was in stock.Very wide range of options.
Sara
Perfect!!I need different ones for every mood.You never know what the night has in store.
The night?I pause, curious what she means, but I don’t want to come off weird.I’m here to do a job, not treat this like a dating app.Still… curiosity wins.Before I can lose my nerve, I fire off a quick message.
Dave
The night?What are you—some kind of astrology-coded moon gremlin powered by the tides?
Sara
Hahaha, ‘moon gremlin,’ I guess yes and no.I do believe when Mercury is in retrograde, I am at my worst, but the cereal consumption is not impacted by the moon.It’s more like… I need different types of sugar and crunch to keep my edge.
Her response raises at least a dozen questions, but I try not to be creepy, so I let the conversation die and move on to finding the rest of her order.
Twenty minutes later, I drive down a familiar street and pull up to the cute little cottage-style house catty-corner from mine.As I sit in front of the house, staring blankly, I start to wonder iffateis real.
If you’d told me when I became a Dasher that I’d be delivering groceries to the neighbor I’ve been crushing on for the last five years, I would’ve said you were lying.But in a weird twist of fate, here I am hovering outside her door with her groceries.
I grab my phone and step out of the car, her groceries balanced in my arms, and pause to take it all in.Her cottage radiates warmth before I even reach the porch—soft lights illuminating the pathway and a seasonal wreath on the door.
