Just Cause

They say that history often repeats itself, like John Madden or a Lifetime movie. Unfortunately, history does not teach itself. I don't suppose it has much to learn, but that job is given to teachers. Some people learn something new every day, while others learn things that are very old. A few days ago, I stopped by the grocery store to get a snack. Some say I have a big appetite, a hollow leg or a hollow skull. Still others say that I eat like a horse. If that were true I would have gone to Roach Feed store. As much as I enjoy the smell of corn gluten in the morning, I opted for Kroger. There is an unprecedented selection of snacks, drinks, and chickens that aren't alive anymore . After I made a quick selection, I headed up to the checkout stand where a familiar young man waited to help me. I avoided the self checkout because I enjoy having somebody help me. If I wanted to self checkout, I would buy a mirror. The young man seemed anxious to help and I was anxious to leave. This was a perfect match so I gave him my few snacks and paid in cash. The total was less than $4, so I pulled out four one dollar bills and handed them over. "4 George Bushes, all right" was his acceptance speech. It was brief, but still could have used some editing. I stopped, the lady in line behind me stopped, the little grocery conveyor belt stopped. It gave me a start. I quietly suggested "Washington". The grocery guy gave a gratuitous correction to his gaffe. Suddenly, he made an uncanny increase in the validity of his misguided monologue. He said that I was likely to tell everyone about him upon my departure from the store. A simple incident indeed, but I hate to disappoint, so I retold his story.