Whew, another long day, I thought to myself as I grabbed a carrot stick and plopped on the couch ... I really understood the way to graph a parabola in Pre-Cal ... the short story by Bierce was interesting ... I aced my Italian test and got a B+ on my oral report on Paris ... the Bosnia issue in history really caught my attention ... and I finally completed my physics lab ... Oh, I have to remember to make that deposit for the Post Prom Committee and to balance my treasurer books for Italian Club ... the French Club meeting was cancelled until tomorrow. Just then my thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. "Hello," I answered.

"Hi, Sabrina, it's Michelle from 'Stop & Shop'. Do you think you could work at 3:00 today? We're short a few people."

"Sure, I'll be there in a little while. Bye." I hung up the phone. Grabbing my smock, I headed for the supermarket in Shelton. At 3:00 on the dot I stepped through the automatic doors.

"Hi Michelle, has it been busy?" I asked the manager.

"No, not really, but we've had a few sick calls. I'm glad you could make it. Thanks. Relieve Jon on register 9."

"Hey, Jon, you're going home," I said, grinning.

"Thank God! This place has been a madhouse. Is it a full moon tonight?"

"Stop. It couldn't have been that bad," I laughed.

"See for yourself. Bye," he answered.

I greeted my first customer, a lady with a petite figure and beautiful long, black hair, well maintained. She was wearing a red business suit that was covered by a long, black leather jacket. The outfit was accented with a heart pendant necklace.

"Hi, how are you?"

"Fine, thank you," she smiled. "No coupons today. Good thing, huh?"

"Yeah," we laughed. "Ma'am, was there a price on this Windex?" I asked.

"No, I'm sorry I hadn't noticed," she apologized.

"That's O.K. I'll call for a price check. 'GROCERY PRICE CHECK ON 9!'" I shouted. "There is a coupon for these saltines. Would you like it?" I asked, turning back to the customer.

"Yes, please. Thank you. Every little bit helps."

"You're telling me," I responded. "I have to save for my college expenses."

"Really?" she asked, very interested. "Where do you want to go to college?"

"Quinnipiac," I answered enthusiastically.

"That's good. Why did you choose Quinnipiac?"

"Well, I went to the campus for a tour with my friend during their open house," I explained. "The campus was beautiful, and they have excellent business and language programs. I have to stay close to home, so I found a school that is nearby and has all I need. I hope to study abroad in Italy someday, and I spoke with a staff member there who is in charge of the study abroad. He explained the program to me, and it sounded great. I think I can achieve my goals at Quinnipiac."

"That's great. Not may people know what they are going to do when they get out of high school ... or college for that matter. Good luck."

"Thank you. Will that be all of your order?"

"No," she responded, "please, a book of stamps."

"O.K., your total is $89.48." I paused waiting for my customer to get her money ready. "Out of $100 ... $10.52 is your change. Thank you. Have a good day!"

"Thank you. Good luck, again. Bye."

A tall woman, wearing black jeans, a very large sweatshirt and a football jacket, pushed her cart through my checkout aisle.

"Hi, how are you?" I greeted.

"Don't ask. Just ring up my order," she snapped.

"Wait until I unload my carriage. I have to watch everything you ring up," she demanded.

"Do you have any coupons?" I asked, trying to be polite.

"Yes, I'll give them to you when I'm ready," she snapped again. "Hold it! That juice is $.99, not $1.19."

"Ma'am, I have to get a price check," I said calmly.

"That's what your expensive computers are for," she barked. "Can't you just give it to me for $.99? I'm in a rush. I've been in this store over an hour. All I've gotten here is a headache, and this is not helping. Neither are you."

"Ma'am, I have to get a price check. That's procedure," I explained nicely. "Mark, is this juice $.99?" I asked my co-worker.

"No, the Stop & Shop brand is $.99 not Ocean Spray."

"Where is your bagger?" the customer interrupted.

"He stepped away from the register for a moment, Ma'am. He'll be back soon."

"Why can't you just get another bagger? That is why I came to your line."

I took a deep breath and responded, "They all already have a register where they have to bag."

"What are you doing?" she asked, raising her voice again. "I wanted paper, not plastic."

Oh my, I thought to myself, reaching for a paper bag. Jon was right; it must be a full moon. "Your total is $147.92," I politely informed her.

"Oh no! I only have $140. You will have to take something off my bill," she ordered.

"O.K. Which items?"

"Give me a minute," she commanded. "I can't wait to get the hell out of here!"

Seeming calm but getting nervous inside, I waited for the lady to decide what she would void from her order.

"Take off these candles and flowers."

"That makes your total $142.84."

"I only have $140!" she repeated angrily.

"I understand you only have $140. You'll have to take one more thing off."

"Take this salsa off."

$139.99 please."

"Here," she said, practically throwing her bills at me.

I counted the money and said out of habit, "$140."

"That's what I gave you, isn't it?" she said impatiently.

My drawer opened, and I was glad that this transaction was almost over.

"One penny is your change, and here's your receipt. Have a good night," I said with trained politeness.

"Keep the penny," she said as she slammed the coin down on my register. "You have been the worst cashier I've ever had to deal with. You'll probably be doing this for the rest of your life."

"No, Ma'am," I said with a smile as she walked away. "I'm going to college."