Chapter 18

"I don't know a lot" Charlie had said "But it seems like a good time for ice cream."  He had taken her to Mega-mart. 

Jenny wasn't sure how it happened, but she found herself staring in shock as Charlie threw high-end toilet paper, lavender bedsheets, and fabric softener in the cart.  "It's purple" he'd said "I bet you like it". 

Jenny had found herself grinning as she sniffed the open bottle.  She did like it.  She told Charlie about the unpleasantness at work.  Mr. Srinivasian owned a gas station.  She worked nights, a few days a week.  Sometimes she worked alone, sometimes Mr Sri worked alongside her, or in the back, working on the books.  They'd had a lot of fun together, he was a very kind old man.  Sadly, he'd had to sell the store. 

"One time he taught me to sing a song in Hindi about a woman rejected by her lover."  She began singing it aloud as people gaped and steered their carts around her.  Charlie grinned.  God he had missed her.  "I think I'm getting manic" she mused. 

He put a gentle hand on her shoulder.  "Let's go look at the cat food" he murmured.  "I owe you a bag of treats." 

Charlie grinned as he watched his wife brighten.  She was so value-concious, sometimes she forgot to take care of herself.   He watched her head straight for the generic brands.  "Do you ever feed her a name brand can?"  No, Jenny replied, not often, but when she did Princess loved Poultry Platter.  Charlie threw a few cans in the cart, and added some "fishy" stuff for Baby Girl.  Charlie watched Jenny frown over the cat treats.  "I'm not giving her this stuff.  It's got corn syrup!" 

Charlie pretended to push the cart toward electronics as Jenny protested, her voice rising as he pretended to select a flat-screen.  "Kidding!"  They moved on to crafts. 

Jenny immediately moved down the aisle, fingering the yarns and grimacing at some colorways.  "Really?  Peach and green?"  She made a sour face and moved onto a deep navy, setting it next to a turquoise.  "That would be perfect for you." 

She turned to him, serious.  "Charlie, do you want a divorce?"  Charlie, taking a drink of his soda, began choking and shaking his head.  "NO!" 

Jenny smiled sweetly. 

"I'll make you an afghan."