“The secret to joy: never suppress positive curiosity ;
Get involved, because life is meant to be lived.” Pope Francis
I step into the Walmart super-store and see them right away.
“WOW,” I say out loud, with no one near enough to hear.
Where is someone to share my awe?
These sunny orbs are the size of small volleyballs.
I’ve never seen them so big before. I have to pick one up and sniff.
The sweet and sour smell of citus greets me…and yellow, very yellow.
Maybe even worth the $2.50 each.
A young man watches me from about 20 yards away.
He wears a produce apron. Our eyes meet.
“Wow, these are HUGE,” I say out loud.
He squints, puts a hand to his ear and walks closer.
“I’ve never seen grapefruit this large before!” I exclaim.
Now both of his hands cover his ears and he shakes his head… I understand.
I repeat myself while looking at him directly, forming my words carefully.
“Expensive!” He says, in the muffled way the born-in-silence speak.
Shrugging, I nod and say, “Happy New Year!”
He beams, a smile bigger and brighter than these amazing fruits.
Then he signs to me from his heart while saying, “Happy New Year!”
I can’t stop smiling.
p.s. My husband informs me later that the fruit was most likely ‘pumelo’…
doesn’t matter
Jean E. Taddonio
No Thing Ordinary 