Corner Store Chronicles.

As Ahmad opened the freezer, he and an unexpected stranger’s hand had both reached for the last butter pecan Haagen Daz ice cream. The air exiting from the freezer became crucial as it stung him in the face. “Oh, I’m sorry…you can take it ma’am,” Ahmad suggested.

The lady laughed, “I don’t want to be unfair. I mean, you did open the door. I was reaching inside while I had the chance.”

They both stood in the petite New York corner store, going back and forth about who should get the ice cream. They both really wanted it, but didn’t want to seem inconsiderate. “You know what, the cookies and cream is always a second runner-up for me, so we both win,” said Ahmad, trying to make her feel less guilty while exemplifying chivalry. He grabbed a cookies and cream ice cream as she finally gave in and took him up on his offer. They both walked to the front of the bodega to pay.

The register clerk rang her up for her items—“It’ll be nine dollars and twenty-two scents.”

She scuffled around her purse, looking for her debit card. As she pulled it out, the clerk gave her an attitude and stated that she could only use debit if she spent ten dollars or more. “Are you serious?” she exclaimed. “I don’t have any cash on me right now.” Ahmad overheard the dilemma.

“Uh, I have cash.”

Dawn emitted, “Oh no. You already let me take the last butter pecan ice cream, and now you’re offering to pay for it? I couldn’t possibly.”

He pulled out his wallet—“It’s nothing.”

Leaving the corner store, they stood outside and interchanged words. “Wow. I can’t thank you enough. That was extremely embarrassing” she declared. “I would’ve had to leave empty-handed, walking back home at seven o’clock in the morning from a blank trip to get some ice cream.”

Ahmad followed up with sarcasm, “Nooo, it wasn’t. It happens to me all the time. Although, there is a huge neon sign on the outside of the door, and on the register, and on the freezer doors, and posted on the walls…but who reads signs anymore, right?” They laughed and made light of the situation.

“By the way, what’s your name, miss?”

Daylight began peaking from the horizon when she answered, “Dawn”.

Oh, the irony.

“Well, nice to meet you, Dawn. I’m Ahmad”.

“Ahmad like that kid from the Soul Food movie?” Dawn joked.

“Oh, so you’re trying to be funny, huh? Ahmad was enthused. What do you know about such a classic film, anyway?”

“Well, that’s one of my top five favorite movies.”

“Oh yeah? And the other four?” Ahmad questioned with genuine curiosity.

“Do the Right Thing, Love Jones, Poetic Justice, and Jason’s Lyric.”

“Ok, ok. You got a nice selection. See, my top five would consist of Friday, Menace to Society, Boyz N the Hood, Harlem Knights, and Coming to America. I could go on, but you know…”

They stood outside of the store for hours, unconsciously reciprocating chemistry. People walked by and spoke, yet they hadn’t noticed. They were so deeply intrigued with each other’s interests. They hadn’t realized the ice cream in their grocery bags had melted, until a drop leaked on Dawn’s foot.

“Hold on, let me grab a napkin,” Ahmad offered.

He went inside the corner store and came back out with a handful of wipes. As Dawn extended her arm to grab some, Ahmad leaned over and wiped the melted ice cream off of her instead. His nonchalant, yet courteous act excited her—yes, in that way. She stood there speechless. She just looked at him wiping her foot, then gathering the tissues and throwing them away in a nearby trash bin. When he returned to her, he’d realized the gazed look on her face. Ahmad could tell she wasn’t used to being treated that way due to her shocked demeanor.

“Are you alright?” inquired Ahmad, as his eyebrows raised and forehead wrinkled.

She hesitated, “Um…yeah.”

The initial morning breeze that they felt earlier was now humid and sticky. It became uncomfortable to be outside, but neither one of them wanted to risk not seeing each other again—plus, Ahmad’s shift was starting in less than an hour. He didn’t want to leave, but he had his priorities in check.

“Love, time is flying and I have work in a little while. What about you? What you got planned?”

Dawn stood with her legs crossed as well as her arms put behind her back—just as a shy teenage girl would.

“Well, uh…the weather doesn’t permit me to be outside and roam around, so I’ll be posted at my spot, you know? Getting my creative juices flowing.”

Ahmad wondered, “Oh yeah? What are you creative in?”

Dawn looked into his eyes, “Many things.”

He smirked, she didn’t, and then his expression turned into a serious stare. She got a glimpse of his badge which stated that he worked at the Manhattan Water Plant, as she walked away, leaving his mind yearning to know more. They went their separate ways, hoping to meet again at the corner store.