Friday, March 27, 2020

A grocery store. Respectable distance between customers, no distance between Renee the cashier and Boris a customer. Renee quickly drags the items across the scanner. Boris watches and he bags his few items. Renee finishes ringing up.

RENEE: Fourteen eighty five, sir.

BORIS: I wish you weren’t working.

RENEE: DAD! Stop grocery shopping.

Boris swipes his card. It clears. Renee hands him his bag. He grips her hand. Tears well up in his eyes. Renee’s frustration melts. Her own unease slips past her sturdy mask. This touching and agreeing recharges them both. Boris take his bag and sits on a bench outside of the store. Renee occasionally glances at him. They are the other’s life boat.