Ava

Friday, September 01, 2023

Last year, for months, I worked at Winco as a cashier. That’s where Ava and I became friends. She had been working at that cut-rate supermarket for years and helped me know how to perform my role more effectively. All her co-workers trusted her as our go-to for advice.

Last fall, I quit working at Winco, and suddenly, for reasons I can’t fully understand, except that occasionally, I can become sort of a drop-out. Afterward, I stayed home, concentrating on property and animals. Months passed before I sought outside work again.

Back then and feeling guilty about quitting my job suddenly, I avoided shopping in Winco and lost touch with folks working there who had become friends. Including Ava.

Weeks ago, a chance meeting in Home Depot with Stacy, another friend from my Winco days, blew open my resistance to returning to Winco. I began shopping there and swapping greetings with acquaintances.

A couple of days ago, Stacy texted me that Ava was leaving soon and moving to Texas. I barely could absorb that because Ava has been a staple–besides Winco, she’s very close to her sisters who live here. Plus, her daughter frequently travels here to visit Ava.

What I appreciate about Ava, besides her intelligence and dedicated work ethic, is that she’s highly relationship-oriented, in other words, she’s a real friend. Stacy’s texts explained that Winco is in a state of chaos over Ava’s leaving. Here’s a funny thing, I am, too.

Yesterday, we met, and Ava explained why she’s moving. Her daughter has just closed on the purchase of a house which was affordable and is for Ava. It’s located in San Antonio, where Ava’s son and his child live. Her son is a working single parent, and Ava will assist him with her eight-year-old grandson.

She was edgy because of tasks she must complete before departing next week. Her sisters will join her on the drive to Texas and stay there a while to help arrange the new household.

Like many others, I’ll miss her. A good thing is that Ava follows this blog, so, we will stay in touch.

Bon voyage, Ava. I’m thrilled that you will have a house. I hope we may meet and catch up again when you’re here to visit your sisters.

Dear Friends: The great co-workers at Winco make me feel sorry I left. Diana