One Small Step For A Child Is One Giant Wait For Mankind, Part 2

At The Checkout, Children, Grocery Store, Main Character Energy, USA, Wisconsin | Right | January 7, 2026

Just read this story and realized I have a story of my own to share.

I was at the grocery store, late on a Friday. I’d just realized I’d neglected grocery shopping for a bit too long, so I was hungry as I went through to restock, and by the time I got to the line, my stomach was growling up a storm.

Which, of course, meant that the lady ahead of me decided now, when she was standing in the only open lane at our tiny store, was the perfect time to try and work on her kid’s vocabulary.

Mom: *Holds up a package of carrots.* “What are these?”

Toddler: *Babbles.*

Mom: “C’mon. I know you can do it. These are cah-cah-cah-cah-cah-cah-cah-cah-”

Toddler: *Still babbles, makes a sound that has a vague K sound to it.*

Mom: “That’s right, carrots! *Puts them on the belt and picks up a can of soup.* “And what’s this!?”

Cashier: “Ma’am, can you please—”

Mom: *Suddenly angry.* “—Shush. My baby needs stimulation. Just be patient!”

Me: *Getting angry myself.* “Then you can give it to her when you are unloading the groceries at home, rather than when you’re clogging up the line here.”

Mom: “Mind your business!”

Me: “Getting home so I can have dinner is my business. Now move!”

My shout was punctuated by my stomach growling again. I don’t know if it was that or my volume, but something cowed her, and she quickly finished up loading her cart on the belt and paying. Her toddler continued to babble away obliviously. Of course, once she’d finished and was walking away, she couldn’t resist having the last word.

Mom: *Giving me a pointed look.* “Some people will never make good parents.” *Turns and stalks off.*

Me: *Looking at the cashier.* “Well, she’s right about that.”