Layaway

Standing in a long line at Walmart, waiting to get out one of our layaways. Talking to people in front and back of us, laughing, joking about our similar situations. Shifting weight from one foot to another, trying to ease some lower back pain. Line moves forward, we rush to fill the gap that's been made before us. Husband looking at items all around us as we wait in line, saying how nice some of them are. Accidentally bumping into the guy ahead of me as I lean on the shopping cart to write this poem. Saying, 'sorry', he remarks, 'you're just trying to gain some ground', and everyone around us laughs joyously. Right at the corner now, on the home stretch, soon we'll be at the counter to take our layaway out.