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Carlos' Little Corner Store, by Jim Bartlett

2/9/2022

 
Jolene sifts through the sorry lot of organic avocados in the “freshly picked” bin of Carlos’ Little Corner Store, hoping to there’ll be one, just one, mind you, that resembles something close to being ripe. But as she squeezes the last of the group – too hard, like the others, it’ll probably be good next week – she smiles, yet lets her shoulders drop in disappointment.

Looks like there’ll be no guacamole tonight.

“Carlos’ Little Corner Store” is indeed small, and more often than not, the selection equally so. Not to mention, though it does slip through her mind now and again, the prices are a little higher – after all, they don’t get the volume discounts like the big boys. But it’s one of the last neighborhood stores left in the city, they do carry some organic fruits and veggies, and, best of all, it’s run by a nice little family.

As she turns, lost in thought as to what to do about tonight's dinner, that man – she’s seen him here before – steps through the store’s front entrance. Today he wears a sleeveless t-shirt, a faded image on the front that’s impossible to make out from where she stands, and a cap with what she believes is the NRA logo. But with her vision not quite what it used to be, she can’t be sure.

Getting old sucks.

As he passes Carlos, who stands smiling behind the register, he scrunches up his face and gives his head a long, hard shake – a well-practiced routine she’s witnessed with each of his visits.

Today, however, he adds a new twist. Slowing, he pretends to mumble – though Jolene can easily hear him from the produce section – as he says, “Go back to where you came from, Beaner.”

Her breath catches as a cold shiver creeps down her back. She’s shaking, but manages to turn and move across to the tomatoes. There’s are some better choices here, yet, even as she picks though them, she keeps a watchful eye on the man. When she sees he’s coming her way, she reaches into her backpack and pulls out her mask, quickly slipping it on.

The man clearly notices, doing a little stutter step before continuing on, obviously heading for the beer section. He walks by Jolene just one aisle over, which is close enough she’s able to see the Confederate flag tattooed on his upper arm.

And the slithering shiver returns.

With his beer in hand, he starts back toward the register, but stops, giving Jolene a narrow-eyed stare.

“Lady, every time I come here, you put on that mask. Covid’s gone now – as if it was ever a thing – so you don’t have to wear those anymore.”

She nods and says, “Yes, I know.”

“So, what’s up?”

“Young man, I have no idea what awful disease you have, and I haven’t a clue if it’s contagious...but just in case, I wear this in the hope I’ll never catch it.”
​
Mimi Grouse
2/9/2022 10:22:30 am

I agree with her.
Nice one, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 03:19:47 pm

Thanks Mimi - always appreciate your comments!

Doug
2/9/2022 10:37:15 am

Very interesting Jim. Nicely done.

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 03:20:55 pm

Thanks, Doug. Appreciate it!
Jim

Marjan sierhuis
2/9/2022 12:44:17 pm

Choices are ours to make.
Nicely done, Jim.

David Milner
2/9/2022 01:30:13 pm

Hey, Jim, a lovely sense of the corner shop. I like Carlos. And Jolene is a feisty customer. Good stuff.

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 03:23:09 pm

Thanks David! Nice to have a feisty character every now and then. Or even a feisty writer such as yourself. ;-)
Take care
Jim

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 03:21:32 pm

They are, indeed, Marjan
Thanks so much
Jim

Carol Garrasi
2/9/2022 03:17:36 pm

You threw me a curve on this one Jim. I thought in the end he'd do something decent and unexpected for that can't-tell-a-book-by-its-cover twist ending. I've always loved a feisty old lady story. Thanks for sharing another good one.

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 03:24:41 pm

Good to hear that my curveball is still working. The old shoulder ain't what it used to be. ;-)
Thanks ever so much, Carol!
Jim

michael McCarthy
2/9/2022 03:29:25 pm

when Jolene sees NRA the tension starts to build, I was sure something was coming, and then NRA insults Carlos, any second now.
And finally Jolene cuts NRA down to size with a killer line.
Great, even more so for being unexpected!

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 04:43:27 pm

Thanks, Michael! So glad you enjoyed it!
Jim

Don Tassone link
2/9/2022 04:33:10 pm

A tale for our times. Well done, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 04:43:57 pm

Thanks ever so much, Don!
Jim

Phyllis Souza
2/9/2022 05:16:17 pm

I'm in Carlos' Little Store. Suddenly I'm standing in "Little Joe's" store. So, many years ago. I'm remembering my home town.😢

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 05:23:31 pm

I hope they are good memories. Sometimes, maybe more often than not, we want to forget our "home town." A good place to have moved away from.
Others hold smiles and good times, and our hearts never really move away.
Thanks for the comment, Phyllis
Jim

Michael Borjon
2/9/2022 06:38:18 pm

Well done Jim!! Nice surprise ending, Jolene might want to include a pair of earplugs to go with her mask, to keep from catching this dread awful disease. Unfortunately, I see lots of people with symptoms of it almost daily…

Jim Bartlett link
2/9/2022 08:58:22 pm

Thanks Michael. I wish I could disagree with your comment about all those carrying the "symptoms." But it's sad but true
Jim

Sue Clayton
3/9/2022 08:29:09 am

We should all wear a mask whilst ever this odious disease lurks around every corner, and not just in Carlos' Little Corner Store. Words worthy of your talent for getting right to the heart of a situation, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
3/9/2022 03:31:38 pm

Oh my, thanks ever so much for the kind words, Sue. I really do appreciate them.
Sadly, there are days when I feel this "disease" is every bit as contagious as the common cold.
Thanks again
Jim

Krystyna
3/9/2022 07:23:05 pm

Excellent, thought-provoking story, Jim, on many levels. The “awful disease” he shows in public is a social dilemma. There are no vaccinations available to get rid of it.

Jim Bartlett link
3/9/2022 09:57:58 pm

You are sadly right, Krystyna. There are no vaccines available, and the future doesn't seem to hold much promise. But thanks ever so much for your kind words.
Wait - there's the vaccine!
Kindness
Take care
Jim

Krystyna
3/9/2022 10:27:38 pm

Yes, but not everyone is willing to take a jab of ‘Kindness’’.
You too, Jim, on this Labour/Labor Day long weekend.

Dee
3/9/2022 11:08:23 pm

Good for Jolene. - bold in her old age. May she live long and prosper. And you too, Jim. Keep-’em coming!

Jim Bartlett link
4/9/2022 12:31:45 am

Thanks, Dee! I hope she, and those like her, do indeed live long and prosper!
And you as well, Dee - on both counts. Live long and prosper, and keep your wonderful stories coming as well.
Thanks
Jim

Robert P. Bishop
5/9/2022 05:42:19 am

A vivid story, Jim. I enjoyed it and liked the tone and imagery. For a moment, I feared for Carlos and Jolene's safety. As for Jolene testing every avocado...who doesn't do that? Nice touch.

Jim Bartlett link
5/9/2022 05:02:19 pm

Thanks so much, Robert. Glad you enjoyed it and truly appreciate you taking a moment to express that.
As for the avocados - we're originally from avocado country, and my wife loves them (me, not so much), so, of course you have to give them a squeeze!
Viva la Jolene ;-)
Thanks
Jim


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