Whispered Prayers

by Alex Grayson

“That’s going to be $68.17,” he says, pulling me from my thoughts. I whip my purse up on the belt and dig around inside for my wallet. I slide my phone, a package of tissues, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and a nail grooming case to the side, but can’t find the darn thing. I grimace when I remember I left it on the counter at home when I paid my phone bill earlier this morning. “Damn it,” I mutter. “I’m so sorry, Jeremy. My wallet is still on the counter at home. Can I leave and come right back with it?” “That’s fine. I’ll just push your cart to the side and⁠—” “Tack it on to mine,” a deep voice says from behind me. I look at Jeremy, shocked by the generous offer. He’s not looking at me though, but at the person standing behind me. I turn to thank the stranger, but the words get stuck in my throat as soon as I see him. He’s the man the old ladies were talking about. I know it from the shirt he’s wearing. He doesn’t look at me as he puts his items on the belt. All I can see is the left side of his face. He has dark brown hair, slightly longer on the top, and his lower face is covered with bristly hair. It’s not long, but definitely longer than just a few days’ worth of growth. He has to be over six feet, and I can tell by the bulges in his forearms that he’s ripped with muscles. I feel so tiny compared to him. I turn to Jeremy, who looks just as surprised as me, then back to the man. “I appreciate the offer, but you don’t need to do that, Mr.…” I trail off, hoping he’ll...