Martell 2024

The Little Grocery Store that Could

“Carla! Are you back again! This is the third time today!” Lindy teased poor Carla who kept forgetting the items she needed for the dinner she had planned to host. The tiny grocery store was a convenient place for Carla to shop since she only lived down the street.

“At least it’s empty in here. I seem to be your best customer today.” Carla smirked. “My sister always tells me that I should make a list because I always forget things. To give myself credit, I didn’t need the items I’d been coming in for at the earlier times. Lindy, this dinner party is stressing me out. I keep thinking of new things that I should add to my menu. “

“Kimmy is right, you should make a list. Like, to start with, make a list of things you plan to cook. When I host a dinner party, I do that, then I write the ingredients that I need under each menu item. Hey, I love your company, I just hate to see you so stressed, Hun. Everything’s going to be fine. This is supposed to be fun for you. You need to take a deep breath and blow out all the stress. From this minute on, just have fun with it.” Lindy, forever there with good advice, tried to be a calming presence for her good customer. “Really, have fun and stop by tomorrow to let me know how it went.” Lindy bagged up the onion, which is what Carla seemed to need this time, and smiled as she handed over the bag.

"I will! I think I finally have all that I need, so I'll see you tomorrow." She turned to leave with her bagged onion, saying one quick thing as she headed to the door. "Oh, and thanks, Lindy! You're a doll! I feel so much better and I will have fun with it starting from now. See ya!"

***************

Carla rushed into her kitchen, excited to continue preparing her roasted potatoes. She looked into the oven first. The turkey looked fantastic! After a good scrub of her hands, she started chopping up the onion. She drifted into deep thought as she worked. I really should have taken a few minutes to make a menu. Lindy does that, and she has everything she needs at a glance. Instead, I keep ending up in the same place - The Little Grocery Store that Could. Carla giggled out loud, causing the parrot nearby to mimic that laugh.

"Go ahead and laugh, Simon. I deserve it. I had no pan for my turkey. I had to run to the grocery store. I remembered Steven likes raisins in the stuffing. I had to run to the grocery store. I wanted diced onion sprinkled on top of the roasted potatoes. I had to run to the grocery store."

Simon interrupted her rambling. "Let's eat!"

"Simon, I know the food smells good, but you already had your lunch. I'll give you a cookie when I get these potatoes in the ove...Oh darn it!" The color vanished from Carla's face. "Simon, dear, I need to run out again. I can't believe I forgot all about dessert! Mommy will be right back."

"Simon says Let's eat cookies."

Carla put the potatoes in the oven, gave the bird a cookie, threw him a kiss, grabbed her purse, and ran out the door.

********************

"Hi Carla, long time no see." Lindy snickered.

"Lindy, I can not believe that I forgot all about making dessert for the dinner party! I was so concerned about getting all the other parts done." She put up a hand before Lindy could speak. "I'm still taking your advice about having fun.."

"Yet, here you are again at my store." Lindy chimed in.

"But, I am going about this the easy way. Do you have a ready-made cookie tray?"

"Honey." Lindy's voice saddened. "This is a tiny convenience store. We don't have anything like that. We have donuts in that bin." Lindy gestured to a plexiglass display. "They're fresh. 'Just been delivered this morning. Or.." Lindy stepped out from behind the counter and briskly walked to the back of the store. "You can buy these pretty boxed cookies and put them in a tray. We have trays over there," She pointed to the end of the aisle. "And we also have pretty doilies. You could put that on the tray first before you add the cookies."

"Yes! That's perfect!" Carla grabbed a box of cookies, then grabbed the tray and doilies on her way back to the checkout counter, Lindy followed.

***********************

Later that afternoon, all of Carla's guests arrived. Not long after, they all set down and began to enjoy the dinner that Carla so painstakingly prepared.

"Carla, I'm going to need your recipe for these potatoes. They're amazing!" Ashley smiled before filling her mouth with another delicious bite.

"And this stuffing! Ashley, please don't tell my grandmother, but this is the best I've ever tasted." Steven grinned.

Ashley stopped eating for a moment, obviously having a brainstorm. "Carla, now that we are about done, and I'm spying that dessert and coffee over there." Ashley's eyes widened, her face beaming. "We should play cards while we're having dessert. I'm having so much fun, I don't want to go home!" She laughed loudly, and everyone joined in.

"Yes!" They all agreed in unison.

Carla's brow crinkled. Ah man! I don't have any cards! "Sis", Carla looked over at Kimmy. "Could you please start cleaning off the table, I'll be right back. I just want to run to the grocery store quickly before they close. I want to pick up another deck of cards. Everyone, please go into the game room and I'll be right back."

*******************

"Carla!! Why are you back here AGAIN! Shouldn't you be at your dinner party?" Lindy looked bewildered.

Carla sighed. "I know, I know. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. No matter what, I keep ending up in this same place."

Word Count: 999