With spring blossoming Arlene also seemed to be, radiating from her face. There were moments when I saw her teen-age face on a more enthusiastic person. In a couple of those moments it seemed, all just a dream, I'd soon wake from. Once saying to her, "I think I'm dreaming. If so please don't wake me." Though hearing the line as cheesy she put me to bed, we were both late for work that day.

Co-workers noticed a glow in Arlene causing Mary-Lee to assume Arlene was pregnant. Arlene filled the ladies in on her history and lack of ovaries, leaving her feeling a little less of a woman. The idea stuck with her for the week, causing pregnant women and newborns to stand out. Noticing she was somber I inquired. Her reply a query if I wished she could have children.

I merely said "if you'd like to adopt one, one day, I would do that with you. You in my life feels like a wish has been granted."

The sentiment receives a small fleeting smile as she felt I was avoiding the obvious. We got into a long conversation, which was more appreciated for her. Reminded we have the freedom to travel was the only good thing to her. Strangely with all that was discussed we came back to being thankful of our budding relationship. As well as neither is in a hurry to be a parent and one day we could consider adoption.

As the thoughts lingered while working the cash register, Arlene had an awkward encounter with a familiar customer. The young woman from No-frills Arlene sent hurrying out, and she was here buying newborn jumpers. Arlene saw her coming, the woman didn't notice Arlene until setting the clothes down. Realizing she's been recognized Arlene gives a quick apologizes and stated we weren't looking for a third. Arlene tells her it was a dare she thought I would've bailed on and we weren't even dating then. The woman accepts the apology stating it actually caused her to give a local plumber a second chance for her affections, and now they're trying to have a baby. The plumber was from the company she interviewed for. Arlene congratulated her and processed the transaction in a haze.

As soon as Arlene's break time came she found a smoker and burned up a whole cigarette. Disgusted with her will and cigarette taste returns to finish the shift. Passing Jeff going out to fire up she wanted to know where he was ten minutes ago. Continuing inside she leaves Jeff stating cart wrangling unsure what she was after.

A few days later Arlene has another familiar customer from a familiar day. Demonstrating to her how small the community is; the fit attached male from Liquidation World. Finding his form attractive she studies him as he places items on the conveyor; Three pack of tighty-whities, dress shirt from a discount rack and a small pack of maxi-pads. Figuring who they're for she glimpses the wedding ring on his left hand.

Liking what he sees speaks first reading her name tag, "hello Arlene, I think I've seen your beautiful face around town."

"Hello and thank-you." Arlene rings in the items, "I think it was the liquidation world last month."

It comes back to him and didn't think I was suitable enough for her. "Oh, sure. Wow good memory. So that guy you were with must be your brother? no way he could be your boyfriend. If he is I think I could show a sexy thing like yourself a better time."

Appreciating only the attention Arlene sees another cheatin' dog to play with, "really? Is your wife okay with that?" She holds up the pads tempted to call for a price check.

Busted but he keeps trying, "oh yeah, we've got an open relationship."

"Really?" She scans the pads and bags them but doesn't believe him.

"Oh, yeah," he winks with high hopes.

"Oh perfect," Arlene glances about making sure only Deirdre is listening. "How open?" Indeed Deirdre is listening, as she was checking the guy out herself and is now wondering where Arlene is going.

He slyly replies, "very."

"Perfect." Arlene returns a sly smile, "I too am in a open relationship and we've been looking for another couple to MIX with. I can assure your wife will be pleased as my man can sure deliver. How about yourself?" Trying not to laugh Deirdre has to turn her face away, even the customers in her line are listening in.

Not at all what was expected or wanted the guy's facial expression turns to panic thinking of an excuse, "um... she's not that open."

"Thought so." Arlene gives him his total, "shame when attractive people really aren't. That's thirty-one, seventy-five. How are you paying?"

Unsure what was meant he hands over two twenties and keeps trying, "yeah she's not interested in that. But I still am."

She takes the bills to make change, "oh you'd like to join me and my man? I could be into that."

He's not and his brow furls, "no. What about just you and me."

She hands him change and receipt, "sorry this is all you'll get from me. Have a good day dog. I'll be sure to mention our meeting to your wife when she comes in."

Taking the change and receipt he goes beat red with angered embarrassment, "hey, don't do that."

Arlene grins handing him the bag of items, "until next time."

Frustrated he snatches the bag from her and leaves, quickly.

Once he's out the door Deirdre busts out laughing asking Arlene how that all started. The few female customers were also curious and all were giving Arlene praise. They were all talking so long and loudly it attracted the assistant manager, Terry, who was worried about a real concern. One of the seasoned customers didn't want Arlene to get any trouble, so she said Arlene politely asked the guy to stop accosting her. The ladies tried not to laugh as she was in her seventies. Content with the reply Arlene received some praise from Terry and that seasoned lady got her merger purchases for free.

Having the next day off Arlene and Deidre did a girls day. Mary-Lee was working when the other side of Arlene's day spilled into hers. However the stories weren't put together until Friday when Tammi, Deirdre, Mary-Lee and Arlene were at break together.

Mary-Lee was assisting a twenty year old, new hire on cash, Brittany. In the morning an agitated young woman confronts Brittany asking what she said to her husband. Brittany was on her first day of cash and had no idea what was going on. The young woman was told by her husband an attractive brunette cashier at Zellers asked about a couples swap and she wasn't happy. Nor Brittany who 'ew'd' the idea, starting the woman on a rant. Mary-Lee rushed in but didn't know anything about it either, but admitted she thought of Arlene right away. Terry was close behind and was able to point out Brittany wasn't working yesterday, he too thought Arlene. Unsure who the husband is the wife showed them a picture of him. Terry recognized the guy from yesterday and told the wife. "The cashier in question is not here today. I was there yesterday. Your husband was hitting on a customer that didn't agree with him being married and she led him on then threatened to tell you about their meeting when she sees you." The young wife turned red and stormed off.

Arlene and Deirdre laugh explaining what really happened. Tammi wished she'd at least been there for one of the days. Amazed how quickly those passed by in a small town can still end up being drama Arlene promises to behave herself, more.

That night the ladies took Arlene out for a few drinks, all tried messing with guys. However Mary-Lee found one worth messing around with.

I heard about it all the next day, telling Arlene I had no problem with her being her.

***

The last week of May I dropped Arlene off at the usual coffee shop before her shift. After the quick kiss and sentiment Arlene got out mentioning "it should be a dull day." I returned with "never with you." Little did we know.

Comfortably bidding the time and sipping coffee Arlene was people watching. The regular seniors left early so she had most of the dining area to herself. On the other side a mother with two toddlers and a baby in a car seat.

The woman's toddling son knocks his drink over, spilling across the floor and table. The mother huffs and scolds the boy while she gets up to fetch a bunch of napkins. The boy cries and follows her. Trying to clam the boy the mom picks him up and explains to the teen staff what happened.

Being left the baby starts to get whiny. The remaining sister tries to help by handing the baby a doughnut-hole to eat. Arlene wonders if that was a good idea but watched the baby reach out and take it, then straight into the mouth. In awe a baby could fit that all in at once Arlene watches. That baby couldn't handle and tried to swallow it whole getting stuck in the throat. The sister turned away to show mom she was helping.

Able to see it on the babies face Arlene can tell the child is in peril, "hey! Your baby is choking!"

The mother turns with a scowl to see but can't see the child in the seat. The little sister looks and utters' an "oh-oh." The teens there weren't sure what to do and looked to each other. All moving too slow for Arlene, she jumps to her feet knocking her coffee to the floor.

Now facing her baby the mother realizes what's happening but panic freezes her with a handful of napkins, and crying son in the other hand, unable to even utter, help me. The little sister detects mom's fear and starts to cry.

Arlene nearly pushes the mother aside rushing past. Grabbing up the baby Arlene held his legs turning him upside down. Freeing one hand Arlene uses it to slap the baby's back. Instantly the baby spits out the gooey doughnut-hole and begins crying.

The mother came close to yelling at Arlene but she hugged Arlene after righting her baby. The mother repeated thank-yous between sobbing tears. The baby crying in arm Arlene almost wanted to chastise the mom and daughter.

Wanting them to stop crying on her, Arlene tried to calm them, "Everything's okay."

After calming down the ladies exchanged names. Listening to the woman and having watched it all happen Arlene saw parenting differently. Realizing how fast a tragedy could happen was eye-opening as well as her reacting faster than a seasoned mother, perhaps she'd be a good parent.

The staff did or said little but offer to replace their spilled drinks and cleaned up the ones that did. The store manager was out and when back was disappointed in his staff for not calling for an ambulance or taking down their names; He wanted to get the shop on the news for the corporation.

At work Arlene told the ladies with noticeable pride about the save. By the end of the shift management had found out through the grape vine and separately gave Arlene Kudos. With an upcoming first aid training session they all suggest that Arlene sign up as it will help her move up.

By the end of the day Arlene was still amped and though tired of rehashing it couldn't wait to tell me. When told I was impressed and said, "wait a go Arlene, nicely done. Saved a wee life. You know if we ever do consider adoption, we know one of us will be a good a parent." Praise she loved and wanted to hear.