Portal in the Piggly Wiggly

Portal in the Piggly Wiggly, by Laurie Lyons

7:42 A.M. Tuesday morning. Raven hits the snooze button. She will hit it two more times, then wake up. Next is coffee and granola, then dressing in black skinny jeans and a black T-shirt. She has 5 identical sets of each. She accessorizes with heavy black eyeliner, black combat boots and colorful socks (which no one can see, but she knows are there). The apron will come later. At 8:20 she walks out the front door to catch the 8:26 bus that will take her 7 ½ miles to the Piggly Wiggly. Here she walks down aisle 7 to the employee break room, places her things in her locker, and puts on her red apron before checking the board for today’s assignment. This is precisely the sequence of events of every weekday morning of Raven’s life for the past 6 years. This particular Tuesday, Raven is feeling especially numb, as if she could sleepwalk through her day and no one would know the difference. Half alive and half something else. Not dead, but not really living either. Certainly not living enough to even imagine that things could be different.

The board in the break room tells Raven that she will be a shelver today. This means she will put misplaced items back where they go, clean up any spills, and be available for customers that need assistance. At 9:17, a customer needs her assistance.

“Excuse me, miss?” The old woman’s voice is barely audible. She has to ask again, “Excuse me, miss?”

Raven turns from the cans of baked beans to face the woman. “Good morning, ma’am. How can I assist you?” Following protocol, these are precisely the words she speaks every time a customer asks for assistance.

“I’m looking for the frozen edamame.”

“Oh, that’s on aisle 4. Follow me, please.” Raven adjusts her pace when she realizes how slowly the woman is moving. Eventually, they are standing together in the frozen vegetable section. “Here they are, ma’am.”

The old woman leans in, squinting her eyes, opens her mouth to ask another question. . . .

Raven opens the case. And then, something very strange. In an instant, she is awoken from her numbness. A soft green light emits from the freezer, enveloping her. Sounds are completely muted, and everything around her except for this green light fades away. No more old woman, no more aisle 4. She steps into the frozen food case, green light enveloping her. Heart racing, fully alert for the first time in a long time. She walks forward, seeing nothing but green.

Objects large and small begin to take shape around her. First a small dog, then a parked bicycle, a cherry blossom tree, a store front. The sound of a bamboo flute floats like mist to her ear. Her awareness expands to include more of the landscape. Raven finds herself on a busy street, people bustling about, early evening. A place unlike anywhere she’s ever been. She feels drawn to a particular door, a delicious aroma wafting out. She walks in and is greeted by a petite Japanese woman in a kimono, suddenly realizing she is surrounded by Japanese people. She is in Tokyo.

Raven is led with a smile to the sushi bar. She opens her mouth to say hello and ask for a menu. “Edamame o itadakemasu ka?” She blinks. What just happened? She has never spoken a word of Japanese. The quick response from the sushi chef, “Hai.” Moments later the steaming bowl of edamame arrives. She dives into the most delicious green thing she’s ever tasted.

Dish empty in a few minutes. Raven sits perplexed, wondering what will happen next. A glint of a warm green light appears at the bottom of her empty bowl. The light grows and grows until it reaches her face, her torso, and then envelopes her whole body. She blinks, and she’s back in aisle 4.

7:42 A.M. Wednesday morning. Coffee and granola, black skinny jeans and T-shirt. 8:26 bus to the Piggly Wiggly. All the elements of a normal day for Raven. Until a customer approaches her, again at 9:17. A tall man in his 30s, dark hair and strong features, smooth and resonant voice.

“Excuse me. Can you help me? I’m looking for spanakopita. My girlfriend has requested this for a party tonight, but I have no idea what it is.”

“Oh, of course,” replies Raven. “That’s like a Greek pastry stuffed with spinach. Follow me.” She leads him to aisle 5. Opens the case, and again, the green light. All else fades away, she enters. White buildings with blue domes. Tall pillars and statues of goddesses. The smell of the sea. A restaurant patio, spicy aromas make her hungry. She chooses a spot and greets the waiter. “Boró na écho éna spanáki?”

Her treat comes quickly and is gone as quickly, followed by the green light from her plate. Raven is back in the Piggly Wiggly.

7:42 A.M. Thursday morning. The morning unfolds like usual. Raven wonders if she’ll be taken by the green light today. On the short bus ride, she fantasizes about world travel and exotic food. 9:17, right on schedule, a customer approaches her.

“Hello,” says the worn out mom, two small children in tow.

I need frozen pizza.”

“Of course. That’s aisle 5. Follow me, please.” Raven leads her to the frozen pizza case, opens the case slowly. Nothing, just frozen pizza. Pauses. “Thanks, I can help myself,” says the mom, growing impatient. Raven backs away, decides to try the next case. She opens the door, and there it is, the soft green light. She walks in, eager and wondering. A narrow alley. A young man on a Vespa whizzes by. The alley opens up to a large square. An old woman in a handkerchief sells fresh fish. A young couple sips espresso at a small round table. Stucco walls and terracotta roof tiles beckon her to a restaurant. Greeted by a lovely young man, dark hair and twinkling eyes. His name tag says “Mateo.”

“Trancio di pizza margherita, per favore, Mateo.” She settles in to wait for her pizza, choosing a table with a view of the street. She sits mesmerized for half an hour before her slice comes. Perfect crust, flavorful sauce, gooey mozzarella, fresh tomatoes. She hesitates to take the last bite, but knows she must. And then, the green light.

Back in the Piggly Wiggly, Raven wanders listlessly back down aisle 5. Her boss meets her at the end of the aisle, accompanied by a young man. “Raven, this is Mateo,” he says. “I’d like you to train him today.” She stares dumbly. Did the waiter somehow follow her through the portal? When she regains her composure, Raven introduces herself. Mateo is new to the area. No, he has never been to Italy. They hit it off.

7:42 A.M. Saturday. One year later. Raven and Mateo hit the snooze button. Today, they will go to the farmer’s market before heading to the restaurant. Tonight is a special occasion. It’s hard to believe that just 6 months ago they opened Global Green Grub. A casual eatery that serves global fare and fun. Tonight, they have invited their friends and family for an evening of food, wine, and karaoke. At the end of the final song, they will announce their engagement.