The Grocery Store

By Gammy

Gigi’s father owned a neighborhood grocery store. He sold meat, vegetables, fruit, and other items like soap and toilet paper that people needed. But the best part of Dad’s store was the big glass display of candy. Lollipops, pieces of chocolate with sprinkles on them. Caramel, gum drops.

Gigi was in charge of selecting what kind of candy was put in the case. And she got to taste everything. Sometimes on her way to school she would slide open the glass case, grab a handful of candy, to be sure everything was still fresh. Dad didn’t mind. Still there were many customers who couldn’t pay for their food. Some had lost their jobs or didn’t earn enough money. Dad would give them the food and say, “Pay me when you can”.

Usually he would receive the money a few weeks later. But some people still couldn’t pay. So Dad started making some pretty creative deals. “Dad, I don’t have any cash right now, but I do have this beautiful lamp. Could I give you this instead?” One person’s bill was so large he gave Dad his piano.

Sometimes his customers never paid him, and that was alright too. Eventually Dad become too old to run the store. Now he had time to sit on his front porch and watch the people walk by.

One day a lady with two children stopped and said “Dad, do you remember me?”

“Of course I do, how are you Annie?”

“Fine sir, this is Patty and Thomas.”

Her children were a bit shy around strangers. They buried their heads behind their mother’s dress.

“I wish I could offer them a piece of candy or an apple. Oh if I still had the store,” Dad said.

“About the store,” Annie said. I want to thank you for giving me food long ago when you knew I couldn’t pay for it. I am older now and have a good job. Here is the 100 dollars I owe you.”

Dad smiled and thanked her. He felt so lucky to have had a store that helped the people he cared about.

02 - The Grocery Store by Gammy