Banana Drama, Part 2

I stop in at a gas station to grab a quick drink before starting my day. There is one person working, and one person ahead of me at the till when I get in line. A queue quickly forms behind me, just a small morning rush.

The man at the counter is cashing in some lottery scratchers and carefully counting change and budgeting on a notebook to ensure he can cover his small set of purchases. He has a small boy, maybe about six years old, sitting in a cart behind him. The boy is playing a game and minding his own business when he spots some fruit near the checkout.

Boy: “Dad, can I please have a banana?”

Father: “You know I don’t have enough for that bud, I’m sorry.”

As the man attempts to finish up his purchase, hurrying now as he notices the line forming, the woman behind me steps to the side and grabs two bananas, handing them to the boy.

Nice Woman: “Here you go baby, I’ll pay for your bananas.”

Father: “Thank you so much, that was too kind, what do we say [Boy’s Name]?”

Boy: “Thank you!”

The boy smiles and begins eating his banana with zeal. The woman tries to return to her place in line when the lady behind her speaks up.

Sourpuss: “You can’t go back where you were like nothing happened. You got out of line, you lose your spot.”

I was so surprised by this that I spoke without thinking.

Me: “For a banana?”

Sourpuss: “Was she in front of you? No? Then mind your own business.” *To the nice woman.* “Well?”

Nice Woman: *Looking shocked.* “This isn’t worth fighting over.” *Walks to the back of the line.*

Me: “Would you like to go ahead of me? You seem like you’re in a rush.”

Sourpuss: “Was I talking to you? This has nothing to do with you.”

Me: “I was just trying to be nice.”

The woman huffed and rolled her eyes, and I decided it was time to take her advice and mind my own business. I faced forward as the man in front of me was handing over his carefully counted change. A moment later and Sourpuss turned with a huff, putting her drink back in the cooler.

She stomped out of the store as she noticed the nice woman and the elderly gentleman now in front of her quickly closing the gap she had left in the line, clearly making a point about her behavior.

I turned to the nice woman and older gentleman:

Me: “Seems like someone is having a bad day. I hope it gets better for her.”

Older Gentleman: “I think she needs to go back to bed.”

Nice Woman: “Yeah, she certainly was in a mood. Kindness is usually contagious.”

Older Gentleman: “She must be immune.”

We all shared a good laugh and smile as the boy waved goodbye to us with banana-covered fingers.

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Banana Drama