It's near the end of my work shift, and as is typical, Friday lived up to its bustling reputation. Bustling is a soft word, actually, and I'm usually more on par with frenzied this day. I do a well enough job pushing through this, but come two o' clock, I may be wound as tight as a duct tape. That's when comic relief is especially welcome.
An older gentleman walks up to the counter in search of a type of coffee that doesn't exist. After explaining this to him, I help him find a bag of coffee beans to purchase, finish the transaction, and briskly continue on with my duties, which take me out into the grocery store. As I wheel the grocery cart down the sugar aisle, I see him approach me.
"Excuse me, Miss. Do you know where I can find mustard?"
"What kind of mustard? Gourmet, deli, yellow?" I don't really know where the mustard aisle is, but it seemed like the appropriate question to ask.
"An assortment would be nice." He studies me now with a puzzled look. "Hey, you look just like your sister over in Starbucks. Do you have a sister in Starbucks?"
I can't tell if he's joking, and I reply, "Sure, she's my twin."
"Well I'll be! Isn't that something?"
He looks delighted, and I reach out to lay a hand on his arm. "I'm teasing. I'm the same girl."
"Well how did you get over here so quickly? Do you work in both places?"
"No. I'm a fast walker."
We laugh and I find someone who knows where the mustard is hiding and lead him over to the aisle where we share a bonding moment among the spicy varieties - he says he brought a bottle with him on this visit to see his son, but his son confiscated it - of which he finally decided upon jalapeno.
And so I thank God for comic relief to break up frenzied work days.
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