Unexpected Feelings In The Bagging Area

I’m finishing up with a customer at my checkout and I say:

Me: “Have a nice day!”

Without missing a beat, he blurts out:

Customer: “Love you too—”

He freezes mid-step, eyes wide. Then, without looking back, he power-walks out the automatic doors like he’s trying to outrun his own soul leaving his body.

Later, on break, I’m still chuckling as I tell my coworkers:

Coworker #1: “Oh my god, that poor guy. He’s going to replay that on loop in his head for the next decade.”

Coworker #2: “Nah, he’s going to wake up at 3 AM ten years from now, sweating, whispering: ‘the cashier never said it back…‘”

Me: “Honestly? Best part of my shift. I hope he never forgets me.”

Coworker #1: “Think he’s embarrassed?”

Coworker #2: “Oh, he’s already moved to another state.”