Since I Lost Mom
Retold by John Anderson
The grocery cart had three good wheels. The fourth had a mind of its own. When Donna pushed the cart one way the fourth wheel squeaked and turned in the opposite direction. She considered getting a different cart, but she was only getting a loaf of bread, bananas, and milk. She could put up with cranky cart as she walked along one or two more aisles.
A young man came over and stood next to her as she inspected the bananas. Donna concentrated on looking for a few that were not too green, but not too ripe. The price had definitely risen since she had last shopped for them.
When she looked up, she saw that the young man was looking at her. He was wearing a tan polo shirt, Dockers, and Converse Chuck Taylor tennis shoes. Donna had thought of buying Chuck Taylors for her son, Stevie when he had been a teen. He had tried to convince her that the genuine kicks would last longer than the Kmart knockoffs she planned to buy. “Besides,” he said, “all the kids are wearing them.”
Donna chucked at the memory and murmured, “Isn’t that what they all say.”
Chuck Taylors aside, Donna switched her thoughts to the bananas. She had forgotten about the young man until he spoke. “Hello, I didn’t mean to stare,” he said. “But you reminded me of my mom.”
Donna said, “Oh, is your mom here shopping, too?”
The young man became downcast and said, “No, it’s been almost a year since I lost Mom.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. You miss her, don’t you?”
The young man said softly, “Yes.” He continued, “She used to wear a sweater that was that same color.”
Donna was moved. Not sure how to respond, she replied, “Well, as you can, see this seems well worn, but it’s warm and comfortable.”
Donna thought about her son, Stevie, who was now a grown man. He was married and living in California. Donna only saw Stevie a couple times a year. She did miss him.
The young man spoke again. “Could I ask you a favor? Would you mind if I called you Mom? Just once?”
Donna agreed that that would be all right and the young man responded, “Thanks, Mom.
As Donna approached the checkout, the young man was already there, just finishing his transaction. The bag boy handed him two full bags of groceries. With a wave, he called, “Bye, Mom.”
Donna waved back as he headed to the exit.
The checkout clerk scanned Donna’s items and announced, “that will be $47.00 dollars.”
Donna snorted. “What? For a loaf of bread, some bananas, and a half gallon of milk? I know prices are going up, but that’s ridiculous!”
The clerk scowled. “Your son’s groceries are included. He said you were paying for them.”
When Donna looked toward the parking lot, the young man was gone.
This old story is part urban legend and part cautionary tale. So, beware. The price of bananas might not be the only rip-off at the grocery store.
Last Updated on October 11, 2026 by AVC News
