slice of life

I was standing at the deli counter today, ordering our usual weekly pound of turkey and pound of American cheese, kind of bemoaning the expense in my head, and I heard, but didn't see, the person next to me ask for "four slices" of something.

Without looking up, I knew what I'd see: an old lady, alone, ordering enough meat to put between a couple of slices of bread when she got home and nibble on while she watched tv. I thought of my grandma, who, after fifty-some years of marriage, has eaten alone most nights since the week that Emily was born. No grandpa to fight her over the remote or hear her commentary while she watches the news. Solitaire, not gin rummy. A silent clink when she raises her glass.

Sometimes I think of some of the people I know, male and female, who still live alone...the people who live Sex and the City while I live thirtysomething, only with less drama. They spend their money so differently than we do...trips, restaurants, gym memberships, electronic toys. Our expenses are in different columns...the never-ending stream of birthday presents for other peoples' kids, high electricity bills to heat the playroom all winter long, copays at the pediatrician every time someone sneezes. And never less than a whole pound of turkey at the deli.

But I'm glad not to be buying "four slices." I'll remember that at the grocery store next week.

Posted by volfie at October 2, 2004 11:37 PM