Today’s Writing Prompt – Day #221. Grocery Shopping: Write about an experience at the grocery store.

I’m ruined. My life is over. How will I recover from this? My muttering was growing louder and more desperate as I continued to stare with dawning horror in front of me. How did this happen?

When I left home recently, I was quite excited that I needed to take a small excursion to our closest mall so I could grab a few items. My Toyota Tercel may not be the prettiest or the newest car, but it was my new—old car, and I was happy for the opportunity to drive anywhere.

So it was with delight that I looked for a sizeable parking spot for my little Tercel and when I finally found it I pulled in… But, I must have misjudged the turn into the spot, as a loud screech rent the air and ricocheted off the two cars. Now what do I do? I cautiously opened my door and then slowly turned my head down to look at the angry, long furrow that had instantly appeared on my driver’s side door. Oh no, what will happen to me now? Suddenly a shrill alarm ripped out and in response, I jumped a foot high. Then to my increasing trepidation I saw the fast swirling colors of blue and red. I was in for it now. They were coming to get me for sure. I’ll never be able to drive again. The humiliation is just the icing on the cake. I jerkily began taking tiny steps from one end of my car to the other. Get a hold of yourself and look properly to assess the situation, I mentally scolded myself.

Bending down, I looked carefully at the mark and decided it wasn’t as huge as it had first appeared. At first look, I was certain it was a creek bed carved into the side of my car. Actually, it wasn’t even that horribly noticeable, if you stepped back far enough or squinted your eyes a little. Okay, maybe this won’t be so bad. The real problem will be what the other car looks like. Briefly squeezing my eyes shut, I threw up a quick prayer, “Please, please, let it be okay, Father.” I pleaded. Now, with one eye closed, I took a quick glance at the other car and immediately slammed shut my eyelids again. Okay, what did I see? Hmm, actually I’m uncertain that I saw any marks on the other car. I took a deep breath, and this time pried open my eyes and widened them so I could see everything. Thank God! Thet other car has some type of car doohickey that sticks out a little and runs from their front fender to the rear. Slowly unfolding from my stooped over position, I drew a hand over my brow and the down the side of my face.

Now that I was standing up I could see the red and blue lights still swirling like mad, but they hadn’t come closer to me. It looks like someone turned into this mall when they were being flagged down by a police cruiser. Yeah, I will live another day! I noticed my hands shaking, and I didn’t know if I could hop back into my car and quietly slink away or try to shake it off and get what I came here for. Now the only problem with that idea was I could no longer remember what I came here to pick up.