my clumsy self

I loved doing the trash run at the bakery.  It was an opportunity to escape the non-air conditioned store for a few minutes, breathe the cool outside air and stretch my legs.
On this particular day, the load included, among other things, several bags that once held flour.  In trying to shove them over the top of the dumpster, one upended and dumped the remainder of its contents right in my face.  I was wearing all black.
I was wearing all black no longer.

Also, flour is a choking hazard.

a generous stranger

I try to talk to customers when I can, make conversation, be friendly.
"Hello," I greeted her, "I love your skirt!"
"Well, thanks!"  She replied.
Someone else helped her make her purchase.  She left.

An hour later I was taking my turn at the register.  She walked back in, now in jeans, put a paper bag on the counter, and whispered to me, "This is for you."
Inside was the skirt.

serenade

Night was falling.  I was washing the front window of the bakery where I worked.
As I stood there, scrubbing away at the glass, a group of boys in their early teens approached on the sidewalk.  Distracted by mentally re-hashing the events of the day, I didn't pay them any attention.
Once they came to where I stood, they paused for a moment.  Then, as they turned to move on, they began to sing to me.
"This is the night, it's a beautiful night, and we call it bella notte!"

a confused customer

I was working at a bakery.  A customer approaches the counter and squints at various items on the shelves behind me.
She reads a sign.
"What are "breadsticks"?"
I blink.
"Beg pardon?"
"Breadsticks.  What are they?"
"Um.  Sticks... of bread."
"Oh!"  Her eyes brighten with understanding.  "I'll take three."

chivalry happens

I was standing outside of the bakery waiting to be picked up after my shift.  Two young men approached, using foul language at high volume.  As they drew nearer, one of them noticed me and hit his friend.
"Hey man, shut up!  There's a lady there!"
When he reached the bakery, he nodded and greeted me.
"Sorry about that.  You have a nice night."
They didn't continue their conversation until they had reached the corner.