As I approach the check-out counter, I feel a sense of relief when a white-haired woman behind the counter smiles at me warmly.She’s not my stalker; not with her motherly smile and kind eyes.My face pulls into a frown as I lay the items onto the belt.This is why I like shopping when there’s hardly anyone around.My pick of boxed, frozen, and premade food items fits the lifestyle of a young bachelor.When you add in all the wine, it just looks sad.The kindly woman seems to agree as she eyes my unfortunate haul.
The computer pings loudly as she scans each item.Grabbing the wine bottles she pauses.“Bad day, honey?”she asks with gentle concern.
I huff out a ragged breath.“Yeah,” I reply softly as the tears threaten to fall again.
She nods knowingly while placing my things into a paper bag.She packs the bag gingerly, as if the slightest sound might spook me.And to be honest, it probably would.
I suck in a deep breath as I leave the store, walking out into the unknown darkness of the nearly-vacant parking lot.My nervous fingers stumble around, feeling for the electronic lock button on my key fob.I run the last few feet to my car and all but dive into the driver’s seat, like a kid jumping into bed before the monster underneath can grab their ankles.
I drop the grocery bag into my passenger seat and drive home in silence.With every turn, I glance at my rearview mirror.I’d notice if someone were driving behind me, wouldn’t I?Would I know if I was being followed?I’ve never thought about it before.
My breath falls out in a relieved sigh when I find that the house looks just the same as I left it—doors closed and a few lights left on.I rush inside through the kitchen door, locking it behind me.I wiggle the knob, ensuring that it’s locked up tight.
The grocery bag plops onto the kitchen counter with a thunk and a clink.Once I’ve put everything in its rightful place, I feel lighter.The small sense of normalcy brings me back to myself.That is until my eyes shift upward toward the small table in the corner of the kitchen.There in the center, sits another small, black envelope.
