鈥淲hoa鈥� was all I could mutter, swerving sharply to the left. Avoiding this guy took some mighty quick reactions.
It was Friday afternoon; the weather was absolutely gorgeous and half the population of our town seemed to be grocery shopping. I鈥檇 only come for a jug of milk but as every shopper can attest, one rarely leaves with less than half a cart. Such was the case this day 鈥� except that my cart was nearly full and so was the cart that nearly ran into mine.
鈥淪orry,鈥� the driver apologized. 鈥淲hen I get into these places, I鈥檓 a terrible driver.鈥� I smiled (how could I not, recalling the near misses I鈥檇 precipitated). 鈥淒on鈥檛 worry about it, I鈥檓 a pretty lousy driver in store aisles, too.鈥�
Mr. Near-Miss, his wife, and I exchanged smiles and wished each other a great day. 鈥淲ell done, Linda,鈥� I thought to myself. 鈥淵ou handled that well.鈥�
Determined to demonstrate my navigational expertise to staff and shoppers alike, I eased around the corner. No crossing into the wrong lane by this cart! I heard the crash before I saw copies of the nation鈥檚 best-selling diet manual slithering between the onions and the potatoes. Mr. Near-Miss鈥檚 beaming face loomed over my kneeling form. 鈥淭old you I was a lousy driver,鈥� I whimpered, grabbing at books while blathering something to three acquaintances who happened to saunter by.
The clerk was gracious. 鈥淣ever did believe in that diet, anyhow,鈥� he consoled, stocking 聽the flimsy cardboard display case.鈥� With blazing face and no milk, I fled to the checkout counter, paid my bill and raced (carefully) to the safety of home.
鈥淔or he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary.
聽He will place me out of reach on a high rock.鈥�
Amen and phew 鈥� I head there often!
