When you least expect it …

Standing in line was something we came to accept when we lived in Ecuador. And, when we first came back to Australia, lines weren’t unusual. You lined up to pay the electricity bill or to pay the ‘phone bill. You lined up in the bank and lots of other places too. But these days, standing in line isn’t the norm – unless you are wanting to use the Express Checkout at Woolies! I don’t mind when that happens though as it gives me thinking time, and I like to people-watch.

 This day, that I want to tell you about, I was thinking about a novel I was writing at the time. I had just finished the first draft and was very happy with myself, although as soon as it was finished, or even before, I could see the flaws and all the work that would be needed to make the changes I wanted to make. So, I was thinking about how I might change this or that, and perhaps that’s why it happened.

 I wasn’t in a rush, which was a good thing and there were six or seven people ahead of me. All of them must have had the maximum number of items in their baskets, so I could see I’d be there a while. I plonked my equally- full basket on the floor and pushed it along a couple of inches at a time with my foot.

 I was deep in thought about Anya, the MC in my novel when I was bumped by someone behind me. It wasn’t too annoying, so I didn’t take any notice. Then she spoke. The goose bumps popped out all over! It was Anya’s voice. Well, I know it wasn’t really, but honestly, it was just as I imagined Anya’s voice to sound.

 “I’m so sorry,” quiet, clear, a touch of… was it fear? Hmm.

 “Not a prob…” I stopped when I saw her. My mouth may have fallen open, I’m not sure. It could have been Anya. Really! It could have been, except this young woman’s hair was more brown than dark blond and she was slightly shorter. But the shape of her face, the large, upward slanted eyes, the fullness of her lips. She was striking and it was as though thinking about Anya had caused her to appear right there at Woolies!

 She smiled, tentatively, and apologised again bringing me back to reality, which was a good thing as the line had been moving while all this was happening and I’m sure people were getting a bit irritated. I shoved the basket along a little hoping we would have time to chat, even a little. I was excited – until she pushed her hair back behind her ear and I saw the bruise on her cheek. She must have noticed my frown because she quickly moved her head, so the hair fell over the cheek again.

 I placed a hand on her arm. I know that’s not always a good or acceptable thing to do, but it seemed right. Her eyes met mine and right there a deep sadness that was clearly a part of her, reached out to me.

 “I’m Karen. And, please don’t worry about the bump. It was nothing.”

 I wanted to hug her just as Anya’s grandma would hug her in those moments of vulnerability. But I didn’t.

 Then it was my turn and Anya moved to the other checkout that opened up. The little round checkout lady reminded me of Anya’s Nonna. She smiled at me and nodded discreetly at the young woman.

 “She can do with some kindness. Good on you.”

 The young woman slipped past as I picked up my grocery bag. She stopped, just for a second and turned.

“Thank you. Just… thank you,” and she was gone.