NEVER SHOP ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

“I have to run to the grocery store!” I called from the front door. “I forgot the sour cream that goes with dinner!”

“Okay, see you in a minute!” My son Alex called from his room.

Forty minutes later I returned, carrying a potted orchid. The few flowers that had already bloomed were a beautiful shade of purple with a half-dozen buds waiting to open.

Alex met me at the door. “Well, that doesn’t look like sour cream.” he laughed.

I pointed over my shoulder as I went into the living room to put the flower in my “when I buy an orchid this is the spot it likes” place. “The bags are in the trunk.” I began adjusting the orchid so that I’d be able to see the blooms when I was sitting on the couch. “Perfect!” I said as I stepped back to enjoy my new addition.

Alex came in carrying several plastic bags. “I thought you were just going to get sour cream?” he placed the bags on the kitchen counter and began unloading them.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Once I was in there I kept remembering other things I needed so…”

Alex pulled out a box of Russell Stover candies and held it up to me. “I can see that.”

“Hey, every once in a while I feel like a little piece of chocolate okay?” I took the box from him and tossed it on the counter.

“Fine with me.” Alex laughed. “I’m just surprised with the interesting list of things you got when you were only going out for sour cream.” He handed me two bricks of cheddar cheese.

“Those are for snacks after dinner.” I opened the refrigerator and placed them in the drawer. “Weren’t you the one who asked me to get cheese a few days ago?”

“I was, when you bought crackers last week but there was nothing to put on them.”

“See? I remembered and you’re welcome.” I went back over to the bags and pulled out a half gallon of strawberry ice cream. “This is for dessert.” I opened the freezer. “I thought we could drizzle some chocolate sauce on it.”

“Sounds good.” Alex peeked in the bag. “Did you remember to get sour cream?”

I looked around on the counter. “I’m positive I did.” I looked over at him. “Did you get all the bags from the car?” I began gathering up the empty grocery bags and realized there was still something in one of them. “Thank goodness.” I said as I pulled the container of sour cream out of it. “I was afraid I was going to have to go back to the store.”

Alex laughed again as he looked at the box of chocolate on the counter. “I’m pretty sure I know why they say you should never shop on an empty stomach.”

I scooped the box of chocolates off the counter. “I’m not saying you aren’t right but when I open this box I’m sure you’ll want me to share.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

He walked over to the orchid. “We haven’t had one of these in a long time.” He gently touched the flower.

I shook my head as I walked over to where he was standing. “There was just something about that one that said it needed to come home with me.” I looked over at Alex. “Every once in a while you just need to treat yourself to something beautiful.”

Alex looked at the box of chocolates tucked under my arm.“And something delicious.”

I smiled as I put the box on the coffee table. “And delicious.”