Monday

It happened in an instant.  Poor fella. It wasn't his fault.  He was just there stocking the shelves, doing his job.  

Oh sure, later she would consider that she might have chosen different words. At the time though, in her head it sounded just fine, polite even.  

But in an instant, like someone swinging open the darkroom door without warning, it was said and when the words came out, well it simply couldn’t be undone:

“Excuse me.  Do you mind if I just reach around here and get some meat?”

After that, the only thing left to do was murmur "sorry" softly and go on her way, sparing both of them any further shame.