i went shopping

for two very different gifts

the first 

 a bit of fancy lingerie for a soon to be bride to be

the second 

a book about animal art for my granddaughter’s soon to be birthday

all went well at the first shop, i found a beautiful gift

 at the second shop, i found the perfect book

but when i looked down

i noticed that the lingerie has spilled out of my bag

right onto the floor

smack dab in the center of the little indy bookstore

i casually picked it up without too much fuss

laughing to myself

but when i tried to put it back in the bag

i discovered that the bag had torn

which led to it falling out in the first place

when next trying to quickly stuff it in the bag

it kept getting worse

 falling to the ground a couple more times

so i finally 

had to scoop the whole mess up in my arms

and clutch it to my body

 carrying it to the register to buy the book

leaving one arm free to pay

no one said a word

but they did offer me a small chocolate and a smile as i left.

—

“i left the room with silent dignity, but caught my foot in the mat.”

-george grossman