It was somewhat an impromtu stop to the grocery story, but it was in that second of spontaneity in which suddenly alerted my senses to discord and agitated a minor pet peeve. As I was standing in the middle of a longer than long line at the food mart ever so patiently awaiting my turn they announced a new line was open. Elated I cheered and was filled with gratitude at the opening of another register. Yet, the new lane was quickly filtrated with the masses of hurried individuals who were no where near standing in line, but pushing carts back and forth in the open areas beyond the check out aisle. Three lanes had lights blinking, signalling for help. The majority of the other check outs were closed. Loaded to the rim carts with seemly unnecessary staples for late night feeding frenzies maneuvered by "I don't have time for this persons spawned an irritation in me. I hated this disfunctional process.

Having twenty items or less should have given me a ticket to the express or self serve line, but apparently those lines had declared a day of rest. Each were adorned with "Closed" signs conveniently sitting where they couldn't be seen. None-the-less, four of over twenty check out lanes currently stood unopened.

As I was next for check out I sat my five items upon the conveyor which promptly scurried my items to the fingertips of the clerk. Of course the divider bar used to separate said groceries was not conveniently located in the side tray. My items road swiftly toward and stopped along side the remaining items of the person in front of me. With frustration, I announced "Stop" as the clerk robotically rang my items onto the ticket tally of those in front of me. The clerk seemingly having selective hearing had three of my five items bagged before registering the mishap. Those in front of me had thrown the bag with my stuff into the cart with their stuff which blended into one heaping mass. After several minutes was spent in retrieval of my items the clerk had to retract them from the sale ticket which had already been deemed complete. With a look of fright the clerk hesitantly said "I will have to void the sale and re-enter all items." The sigh that came from me, those in front of me and the massive line behind me was a harmonious choir of disbelief. "Or, an easier solution would be to go to the customer service desk" the clerk proclaimed. So, side by side, I with my cough drops and Kleenex, partnered with the owners of my chicken soup, crackers, and aspirin went to stake claim at the desk of customer service. With no surprise that there was a line.

My impromtu stop was to acquire a means for better health which turned into a dance with one of my pet peeves that I call check out chaos. Of course, one can imagine my continued frustration when it took all the energy I had to calm down while driving home, to rush in the house due to a desperate need to go to the bathroom, and reaching for toilet paper, only to find and empty roll.

Learn more about this author, Penny Moss.
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