I have had an interesting day.
At about eight-thirty, der Brucer and I were awakened by a telephone call, which our answering machine picked up. "Hello, Stephen? It's Danielle. Can you come in to work today? Give us a call as soon as you can."
"You'd better get that," der B suggested.
I called, and found that our cart wrangler, Andre, had called out. Sure, I'd be glad to come in and help. I told Danielle that I'd be there as quick as I could.
I quickly showered and dressed, and was at the store by nine. That was when we found that Andre had not called out, but had called to say that he would be late. There had been a jumble of communications. Someone else had called out.
That someone was Fran, who works in the produce department. He had the flu, leaving Jack, the produce manager, without an assistant and a large stack of orders to place. Would Jack like someone to help? He most certainly would!
So I spent my day moving produce from our refrigerated stock room out onto the floor, and into their appropriate bins. In the process, I got to help customers with their questions ("Where are your prunes?" "What is arrugula?" "Aren't the strawberries still on sale for $1.49 a pound?" "Are you completely out of limes?" Aisle four, on the left. It's a spicy and bitter herb that is used in salads. I'm so sorry, that sale ended on Sunday, and yes, they are delicious. Yes, I'm afraid that we are out of the regular limes, but we have the smaller Key limes in these bags, if you're willing to substitute.) and survived a few jokes from both co-workers and regular customers who were surprised to find me away from the registers.
I also discovered that I do not like blueberries. The flimsy little plastic jewel boxes that they are sold in tend to slip when stacked, and before you can say "oops" I'm on my knees trying to pick up the rolling, bouncing critters before anyone steps on them.
However, Jack was appreciative that I didn't require a lot of supervision, letting him tend to his ordering.
My back may ache tomorrow, of course, since I've been using a few muscles in ways they normally don't get used, but it was worth it.
And that's how my day at work was spent.
