A few days later I return to Safeway for more cereal, and find myself in the same checkout line again, with the same girl at the end bagging my groceries. I glance at her nametag. It says "Miriam". An uncommon name, perhaps given by imaginative parents. A good sign. She greets me again with warm eye contact, and this time I'm slightly more prepared. I return her smile, I return her greeting. I am friendly.

When I finish paying, she looks me in the eyes and says, "Do you need help out with that?"

I look down at my purchases.

I have one box of cereal, and a pack of gum.

I am caught off guard by the subtle implications of her question, and as a reflex reaction I decline the offer, but I smile, and she smiles back.

I am now fairly certain that she is flirting with me. I leave the store with a giddy feeling in my chest that I have not felt for a long, long time.