Grocery Store Cereal Aisle Looping Back to Oats

Grocery Store Cereal Aisle Looping Back to Oats

I was in the grocery store near work, standing in the cereal aisle looking for the same brand I always buy, except the shelves kept looping so I kept ending up back at oats. Then I saw my old coworker from the last job, the one I used to get coffee with, except he also felt a bit like the guy who lives two doors down. He smiled like he knew me well and asked if I wanted to split a cart. I said yes even though I already had one. We walked toward checkout and I kept thinking I should say something, anything, but my voice felt stuck. He reached for the same apples as me and our hands bumped. I felt that stupid flutter and then embarrassment because I was still in my work badge and wrinkled shirt. The store mixed with the office break room for a second—same fluorescent lights. I wanted him to ask for my number again, but I woke up before he did.