Stranger Connections

“Have you joined some new  religious cult?” Marcus, my favorite cashier at the Food Lion I frequent
asked as I waited for him to ring up my Chamomile tea.
“No. Why?”, I mumbled without looking up as I counted out my change.
“I can’t think of any other reason why you would wear THAT out in public.” He replied with one eyebrow raised.
“Come on. Cut me some slack. I’ve been on the go since five this morning.”
“There is NO excuse for wearing that long raggedy skirt with those dirty sneakers and that t-shirt. Is that a ROBOT?! And honey, honey HONEY! A side braid AND a headband? No. Just no. You are too cute for THAT.” He finished, closed the cash register with his hip and handed me my tea.
“Ok. Point taken.”  I sighed.
It occurred to me as I left the store that I don’t meet…