Derek had a point earlier, we did drive all this way, we should at least see what else the store has to offer.

I steer our cart to the left, strolling through the rows and rows of young plants. Most I recognize: various herbs, pepper plants and late-season tomatoes. To be honest, it is probably a little too far along in the gardening season to be planting most of the plants here, at least if you want a decent harvest.

Then there are a few bunches of plants I'm not familiar with. The first is Aconitum, also known as Wolf's Bane. Oh, interesting! This plant is rarely cultivated, as it is actually quite poisonous and if ingested can cause serious harm. However, I have heard it works really well as a topical pain reliever.

Next, we have Centaurea cineraria. I whip out my phone to do a quick search, 'also known as Silver Dust, often grown for purple foliage. No known benefits.' Hmm. I'm not usually a fan of growing flowers, other than my little wildflower patch I hatch every year for the bees. I pull up a picture next, as Derek peeks over my shoulder. "It looks like a purple-topped pineapple." "Yeah, we're totally getting some!" I respond as I grab 4 plants of each the Aconitum and the Centaurea. I'm a sucker for growing new species.

We continue down the aisles, stopping to look at various fun things here and there. I grab the fertilizer I need, and we ended up adding two birdhouses to the cart. The first says 'Nice Tits' and has a few adorable Titmouse birds painted on the side accompanied by some flowers, whos petals seem to have grown nipples. The other has 'Nice Pecker' scrolled across the front, the sides consist of the head of a pileated woodpecker, and some quite suggestive pieces of 'wood.' They're going right next to the mailbox.

We make it to the register, which is surrounded by local produce, farm fresh eggs, hand-squeezed juices, and homemade sweets and treats. Its Derek's turn to be excited. He grabs a cherry pie and a peach pie, he knows I'd murder him if he even thought about getting anything with blueberries or blackberries. We are drowning in berries at home! I add a jar of local honey and a dozen eggs, then we head to check out.

There's a bit of a line in front of us, which just gives Derek more time to browse all the goodies around us. We're standing behind a mother and her two children, who are absolutely adorable with their bright red hair and freckles. A boy of about 3 rests on his mom's hip, his head on her shoulder; a girl who appears to be 6 or 7 stands to her other side. Both kids look a little on the dirty side, but it is summer and playing outside is messy. Then I notice the raggedy clothes and shoes that don't quite fit.

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Their cart has the basics: a cartoon of milk, a dozen eggs, a box of both potatoes and onions, some of the discount vegetables that are a little past their prime, and then one large watermelon. No doubt this watermelon is a splurge for them, but it really does look delicious!

Derek returns with two solar powered lights, shaped to look like bees. "Look what I found! I've got two here, but I think we need 3 or 4 more for the front walk." He's so sweet, he hates when I have to walk to my truck in the dark and he knows I love bees. I don't mind the dark, but he's right... there could be a skunk or 'coon waiting to ambush me on my way into the house.

I notice the girl peeking at Derek and I. A little louder than necessary, I say " We do need 4 more of these, but how are we going to look on the lower shelves? You're old and have a bad back, you can't bend down to look." He gives me a quizzical look and begins to respond, "what the..." then we hear a quiet, "I can help."

The girl looks up at us with a shy smile, then to her mom who gives her a small nod. She heads to the shelves, starting on the lowest one, sorting through boxes of solar lights. She finds the first bee and comes rushing over, "here's one!" I take the bee from her, "Oh thank you! You're a life saver! I need 3 more if you can find them." Now there's a spark in her eye as she looks through the boxes quicker than before.

I leen over to her mom, "would you mind if I treat her to something of her choice? For helping me, of course." Her mom looks startled, "no no, we don't need anything. I'm sorry for bothering you!" I'm taken aback, why on earth would she think she is bothering me.

"Oh ma'am, you're not bothering me at all! I'd simple like to gift her something small, she seems like a sweet, well-mannered girl. Her brother too, of course! It could be a piece of fruit, candy, toy, whatever they would like. Please, it would make my day!"

She still looks unsure, but agrees, "sure. It would make your day, but it would probably make their week!" She finally offers me a small smile. The girl comes running back, "look! Three more!" I take them and deposit them into our cart. "Phew. I don't know what I would have done without you!" She looks very pleased with herself and goes back to stand with her mom. "Oh but wait, I need to pay you for your services. Go ahead and pick something you'd like, anything in the store!"

She shifts back and forth on her feet, "anything?" I nod my head at her, "yep anything!" She looks to her mom for confirmation before taking off to our right. Not even a minute later, she comes back with something I never would have guessed. In her arms, she's carrying a giant, freshly plucked chicken.

The chicken is so large, she can hardly carry it. Her mom looks mortified, "honey, no... pick something small." I wave my hands, and before the girl even has time to become upset, I say "absolutely not! I think this chicken is just perfect!" I'd buy this chicken even if it cost my entire paycheck, just to see the pure joy on this little girl's face. I swear, she was almost in tears, "thank you so much! My mom makes the best fried chicken and we haven't had any since before dad left."

Her mom helps her to put the chicken into the cart, now she does actually have tears in her eyes, "thank you, this means alot to her... and to me." I smile at them both, "the pleasure is all mine, honestly."

We all go back to waiting in line, it's just about their turn to check out. Out of nowhere, this brute of a man leans into their shopping cart and snatches their watermelon. She simply looks at the man, then lowers her head to the ground. I look between her and the man now holding the watermelon. I just can't help myself, "Excuse the fuck out of you!"