Lost In Fading Memories

I walked in the grocery store

and immediately remembered the time she and I were here.

She hates grocery shopping,

and I don't mind it.

One of the things I've always wanted in life

was someone to grocery shop with.

Silly, I know.

She told me to make a list.

I told her I could memorize it.

(I couldn't.)

The first time I felt her pull away 

was on our way 

to the grocery store,

and I'll never forget her standing in the aisle, frozen like a statue,

with her eyes glued to the floor,

as we waited for help finding a pie tray. 

She was gone.

That image of her will be imprinted in my mind forever. 

Anyway . . . Today I walked into the grocery store

and got lost in memory—the good and the sad. 

I just

walked around,

forgetting about the two things I had come to get.

I'd remember it,

change direction,

and then forget.

Over and over again, I did this. 

It took me fifteen minutes 

to grab spaghetti noodles 

and hot chocolate.

-CH 4/4/26