what's up with that dude

the woman in front of me

strikes

up a conversation about

the long line we're in.

waiting to check out 

of the grocery store.

what's up with that dude,

she says, pointing

at a guy in an orange

hazmat suit.

he puts one item

on the belt, and then stops.

talks on his phone,

texts

and then picks up a magazine

from the shelf.

i know, i know i tell her.

and look what he's buying.

candy, cookies, milk.

dog food, and trout.

weird, she says. very strange.

and then it's her turn,

goodbye, she says, good luck.

nice chatting.

i turn to the woman behind me.

can you believe that woman?

have you ever seen so much

chocolate in one cart?