Narc at the grocery store

It wasn’t always convenient for me to tag along with my mom to work. I wasn’t a bad kid, but I’ve been told I can be a handful at times. Whatever that means.

One of our neighbors, Ms. Lillian, would offer to babysit during elementary school summers. It wasn’t my first idea of fun, but we made it work. 

On one of our weekly trips to the grocery store, I was passing the time by taking items from our shopping cart and hiding them away. She was gladly playing along.

Eventually, I came across a value pack of gum that was small enough to slide in my pocket. But a butcher behind the deli counter had seen me hide the candy in my cargo pants. I’m pretty sure we locked eyes. Still, I wasn’t trying to steal. I didn’t even like spearmint.

I don’t remember much of what happened after. Except that the butcher grabbed the store security guard and angrily confronted me. He did have a point, the item in my pocket had not been paid for. But also, consider the fact that Ms. Lillian and I were here every Wednesday, we recognized this man. He recognized us too. AND I WAS LIKE 8 YEARS OLD.

Every now and then I think back: I’d really like to try and understand his reasoning. I wonder if he even remembers.

I do.

That guy was a f*cking Narc.