she had a pinched face
pretty
yet tight from too much recent worry
red hair
a nice body
poured into overly large sweat pants
and a puffy nylon coat
hair pulled back
no makeup
and this slightly dazed expression
the fact that the woman in front of her
was having problems with the computer
not liking her bridge card
was adding to the stress
in front of her on the conveyor
were a bunch of bananas
two avocados
and a pregnancy test
in her fist two sweaty bills
and a handful of change
held with the grip of desperation
i left her there
losing patience for store clerk
and haggard manager
who could not devine the magic combination
that would release the bridge card lady
to the world
but i glanced back at the red head in the sweats
and pondered where fate was leading her
wishing her well in some small way