The Christmas Present

Moving her trolley back towards him Sharni said “I’ll get it.”

He smiled “thanks. I think maybe I should have got one of those” he indicated her trolley. “I’m new to this.”

“You don’t normally shop?” Sharni asked as she picked up the box.

“Not really no. My wife always did it” he said looking away.        

“Oh” she said feeling a stab of disappointment at hearing he was married. She should have known. Anyone who looked like him would never be single. Still she couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to change his shopping situation.

“When I was married” he added answering her question without her having to ask. His eyes were still averted.

“Right” she said relieved but still curious. “Um would you like me to get you a trolley or if you’re parked this way” she pointed to her left “you could share mine.”

“I am down that way” he said meeting her gaze with a smile “thanks.”

“No worries. I’ll put this” she held up the box of his she’d picked up “in the trolley and maybe some of the ones on top?” she asked waiting for him to agree before grabbing some of the smaller boxes threatening to topple onto the ground.

When she’d finished the trolley was full but the pile in his hands was more manageable. “Okay your stuff is on top so point me in the direction of your car” she asked as they walked towards the rows of cars.

“It’s on the left, down near the bottom, a silver four wheel drive.”

“This one?” she said as they approached the fourth last car in the row, an expensive imported model.

“That’s it” he said with a smile. They unloaded his purchases into the cargo section of his car. “Where are you?” he said grabbing the trolley.

“That’s okay” Sharni said “I can do my stuff.”

“No way” he said “the least I can do is help.”

She smiled “I’m two up” she said pointing to her older sedan.

He wheeled the trolley up to the back of her car and Sharni opened the boot. He helped her put her bags in the boot. When she shut the lid and he was left holding the empty trolley he said “my name’s Mitch.”

“Sharni” she said.

“Can I buy you a coffee as a thank you?”