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As the sleek little machine brewed, I searched a map on my phone for the Sureway that Rick had mentioned.
It only occurred to me after the first sip of coffee that I didn’t have a car and that, although Jess’ little Honda sat in the drive, I had no experience driving in the US, with the steering wheel on the other side and everything reversed to how it was in the United Kingdom.
Feeling sheepish, I texted Jenny.How had I not thought this through?
Me: Morning, neighbor!Fancy a trip to Sureway?I can promise you petrol money and cake for your trouble!
I drained my mug, and by the time I’d also polished off two pieces of toast slathered with peanut butter, she’d replied.
Jenny: Sure!Can Toby come with?
I replied in the affirmative, and she told me she’d be over in ten minutes.
Just enough time to make a list of what I needed and brush my hair.Not that it ever needed much attention.Straight was pretty much all it did, to my chagrin and to the envy of some of my friends.
I’d compiled a list on my shopping app by the time she knocked at the door.
“Hey, neighbor!”She greeted me perky as ever.
She looked cute; maple-brown hair scooped up into a ponytail, wearing a dark blue cotton shirt dress.“Toby’s in the car.You ready for the mind-blowing experience thatisgrocery shopping in another country?”
“Yes, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t going to live up to my expectations from recent films, like being hit on in the fruit aisle,” I said, referencing a rom-com I’d seen a few weeks ago.
Jenny chuckled as she opened the driver’s side door.“Probably not.I almostneversee a hot guy when I’m grocery shopping.But then again, I think toting a kid along with me puts them off.”
I got in beside her, waved to Toby in the back, and fastened my seatbelt.“Seriously, Jenny, anyone who’s put off by you having a kid isn’t worth your time.Someone worthwhile will take on Toby as his own.”
She smiled, reached over, and squeezed my hand.“Thanks.”
Toby shook a rattle and babbled to himself— I caught the wordsduckandbread,or at least those were the words I thought he said— as Jenny navigated us on to the highway and towards the store.
Anticipation raced through me.I loved grocery shopping anyway, but in a whole newcountry?
My imagination was in overdrive.The possibility ofmore than twoflavours of Pop Tarts had me clenching my hands in barely restrained glee
“What all do you need?”Jenny asked as we pulled up outside an enormous building.
“For once, I’ve got a list on my phone.”I pulled up a shopping app.“You might have to tell me what stuff is.I know the usual things, like swede being rutabaga and aubergine being eggplant.”
Jenny wiggled her brows.“Eggplant?Actually, I’ve never ever eaten eggplant, but I know all about that emoji.”
She took me on a tour of the aisles.The place was cavernous.Huge didn’t even cover it.I was torn between being overwhelmed and being in awe.
Toby munched happily on a carrot while we shopped.
“Everyone has so much in their trolleys!”I whispered to Jenny.
“Well, most people come to these huge stores for a big grocery run.Don’t you do that in the UK?”
“Yeah, but I’m also much more likely to pop to the corner shop for something if I run out.”We passed a man pushingtwoheavily laden trolleys.“This is on another level.”
“Knock yourself out,” she playfully directed as we reached the baking aisle.
Eighty-five dollars and six carrier bags later— and after help from packers, why didn’t we have bag packers in the UK?!— we exited the shop.Toby was protesting out of boredom and Jenny promised him a trip to the park as a reward, along with an ice lolly.This placated him long enough to load him and the bags into the car.
“Thanks so much,” I enthused as we got back on the road.“I owe you.Happy to babysit or bake for you any time.Well, until I leave,” I added, a sour feeling settling heavily in my stomach,
“I just got used to you!You can’t leave,” Jenny joked.“Perhaps you could come over and sit with him while I take a bath?God, I miss baths.”
