MY BREAK UP WITH THE DELI GUY

I have two grocery stores near my apartment. For over two years I consistently went to one for all my food shopping needs. About six months ago I tried the "other" grocery store and realized it was a lot cleaner and had wider aisles. So I started going to that one instead.

Today, because I was walking past it and needed one quick item, I went back to my ex-grocery. As I turned the corner from the dairy aisle I was passing the deli counter when I saw my old friend, the deli guy, smiling and waving at me. He asked, "where have you been?" I was flustered. I couldn't tell him I was "seeing" a new deli guy so I told him I had been out of town for several months on business. Yes, I lied. It was spontaneous and I didn't even give it any thought. I just couldn't hurt my old deli friend. For over two years, every week, we would spend several minutes talking about the weather and local street fairs and the like. He always remembered me and poked fun at me for my curious lunch meat selections. And I turned to a new deli guy without even a minor hesitation. And all for cleaner floors and wider aisles. I feel a deep shame.

In all seriousness though, I did realize today how you can impact so many people and not even know it. Although I didn't realize it at the time the deli guy was consistently happy and greeted me warmly each week. That makes an impact. And maybe my five minutes of chatter with him each week mattered in some small way. You just never know.

P.S. I'm still sticking with the wider aisles and cleaner floors. Sorry deli guy.