Grocery Shopping

Slowly leaning back in the seat as he turned off the ignition, Harry attempted to focus on the task he was about to partake. He had only been a stay at home parent for a little over two weeks, and it already proved to be harder than he ever imagined. He knew that in the back seat his youngest was waiting to be let out of the confines of her booster seat, and the list of items that needed to be purchased.

Milk

Bread

Shredded Cheese

Pasta Sauce

Spaghetti

Meatba-

"dad, are we gonna go shopping?"

That soft voice broke him out of his internal listing, and back into the slowly heating atmosphere of the car.

"sorry, we'll go now darling"

"it's okay!"

And so, with one last thought, Harry exited the vehicle into the blistering heat and turned to open the door behind him. Leaning in to grab a small black backpack, he slung it over one shoulder before leaning further to release the 4-year-old's buckle. As the toddler made her way out of the way out of the car, Harry took the opportunity to quickly glance around the car park. Being just past 9:30am meant that a lot of primary school mums were coming to do their daily shop without the hassle of children.

Entering the cool air that seemed to accompany all supermarkets may as well have been a miracle for Harry, now knowing he did not have to be constantly concerned with the temperature and how it would affect his young child. Quick to find a trolley equipped with a child seat,  he crouched in the almost-too-tight jeans and lifted Emery into the seat and left the buckle undone. She was old enough now not to fling herself out when he wasn't paying attention. Turning to the right, he slowly prowled around the stands holding fresh produce. Finding avocado, bananas, and apples to be in stock gave him a sense of accomplishment. However, discovering that they had run out of cucumber caused an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach.

It's my first time doing a complete shopping trip and not just picking up a couple of things when I'm told. Besides, I can't help it if they dont have any cucumbers left.

Continuing on to the deli, many different types of pre-made salads, cheeses, meat combines and roasts were examined in his hunt for marinated chicken skewers (which were to be used for tomorrow night's tea). Almost to the point of giving up, he languidly made it to the end of the glass panels. Just before the end, lay the chicken skewers. Calling over a deli employee Harry ordered 6 lemon garlic skewers, and 6 honey barbecue...

Three weeks ago I didnt even know that you had to buy chicken skewers from the deli. I just kinda thought that they came pre-packaged or something. Then again, three weeks ago I didn't know how to make pasta sauce or tacos.

Grabbing the last bottle of orange juice from the fridge shelf, Harry made his way to the checkout. Unloading the trolleyonto the conveyor belt, with the help of Emery of course. Making his way to the end of the line of groceries, he made small talk with the cashier.

Saying his farewells to the friendly cashier, Harry exited the cool oasis and stepped into the boiling temperatures of summer. Having flicked down his polarised sunglasses he did not at first see one of his old co-workers.

"I never thought I'd see you becoming a family man, Harry" was the greeting Harry received.

"hey Dave, the wife wanted to go back to work now that the boy was in his second year. Was just that we still had this little tike at home for three days of the week"

"oh, the wife is good then, I suppose. How's that boy of yours goin' at school? Not gettin' in trouble or nuthin' is he?" Questioned Dave.

He was a bit of a family man himself and cared a lot about people he knows. Some people say he cares a little too much, especially after what happened to Mavis.

"little Tommy's doing good, all the teachers love him"

"daddy, are we gonna go home now?"

"well you heard the girl, Dave. Better get all this shopping home and in the fridge before it melts in this heat"

"yeah well, catch ya later, eh?"

Bonus!

As Dave watched Harry and his toddler walk away through the car park, a memory was brought to the forefront of his mind. When he was much younger, and his children still young enough to be called ankle biters. Having to quickly get used to the stress and fast pave of being a stay at home parent and trying to do everything. Shaking his head in fondess of times past Dave turned and entered the relatively large supermarket, wishing a silent good luck to the young man who still had no idea how different being a full time parent is to working as a tradie connecting wires.

If you have any suggestions for improving my story, or see a spelling/grammar mistake please comment where appropriate  (also appropriately please! TIA)

Lower case letters at the start of dialogue and no full stops/periods at the end of dialogue are intended.

There is also some Australian slang/colloquial language so feel free to ask if you do not understand