Currently residing in Brantford, Ontario Canada, she lives with her two sons. She began her writing career after the tragic loss of her parents and husband. Redirecting her emotions through writing became therapeutic in her battle with depression and in 2014 she decided to publish some of her works.
Finding Love Amongst the Empty Shelves
Tracy Willoughby, with assistance from JA Lafrance
All she needed was toilet paper, she got more with him — Finding Love Amongst the Empty Shelves
Finding Love Amongst the Empty Shelves
It was the middle of March and the weather was just starting to blossom into the warmth of spring.
We were ready to dance with the midday sun while we reacquainted ourselves with the world after a long winter's rest, but a threat lurked just around the corner.
It wasn't a lone man threatening our sanctuary, nor the threat of war threatening our very existence. It was a virus that was largely unknown but had the capacity to strike anyone within its path.
We were all sent into the isolation of our homes without the luxury of socializing with friends or family. There was nowhere to go as the world was virtually closed.
Panic struck the hearts of every man, woman and child, as people began hoarding everything they could get their hands on.
Where once obtaining toilet paper was largely taken for granted, it was now a hot commodity.
I was in desperate need of a roll or two, so I set out on an adventure, my objective was to dodge landmines that were the very people who surrounded me; one could never be too cautious.
As I headed from store to store, I witnessed the chaos of people behaving like they had been locked inside a cage and lost the ability to act civilized. It was as if a zombie apocalypse was upon us.
I was determined to find my prize, so I kept going, as I wheeled into what was the tenth grocery store, if my calculations were correct.
A lone pack of toilet paper sat on the shelf, as if it were a golden statue with a seemingly orange glow surrounding it almost as if it was summoning me. I was going to do everything in my power to bring that package of toilet paper home with me.
Movements caught me out of the corner of my eye, someone was getting closer to the elusive paper product as well, but there was no way that guy was getting it.
He was tall, dark and handsome with the most piercing grey eyes I ever saw, but there was no way this five foot two inch woman was going to let him win. I had a leg up on him.
Well actually, I had four wheels up on him and even if I had to wheel over his foot, that tight ass was not going to get it.
My wheelchair was my lifeline, my way of exploring the world and getting the things I needed to survive, and right now I needed that roll of toilet paper like I needed air to breathe.
With every turn of my wheels, I was getting closer and more determined to be victorious. Finally, reaching my destination, I had just placed my hand down on the plastic covered bundle of gold, when tall, dark and handsome did the same.
No way in hell was he going to get this trophy, I don't care how pantie melting hot his smile is.
I looked up into his memorizing grey eyes, it should really be illegal to be this gorgeous and out in public, especially since I looked like I just rolled out of bed, threw on my leggings, a baggy sweatshirt and slapped on running shoes. I wasn't trying to win any beauty contest; I simply needed that toilet paper that we were now having a stare down over.
“Hey, I was here first.” I glared at him; I was determined that the package would end up in my cart.
He looked down at me, I could see him wrestling with his thoughts on how to handle me and this situation.
“‘I don't think so sweetheart. This pack right here is mine.” He went to lift it up, but I refused to loosen my grip. I held on with all the strength I had in me, but I knew if he really persisted, that I would be no match against his magnificently muscular body, and I would once again have to trudge to yet another store. I don't think I have it in me to deal with anymore of this craziness. So, I made one last pitiful attempt.
“I think I should get it, after all, I have rolled my ass to so many stores and I really need it. Besides, aren't ladies supposed to go first?” I bat my eyes, trying my best to get him to let go of the package, but it’s not working. I bet if I was beautiful and normal like other women, I'd have him eating out of the palm of my hands.
“Batting your eyes at me won't work, lady. I'm a cop and I've seen it all,” he snaps at me.
I knew at that point I had lost, so I let it go, turned around and made my way to the front doors. I knew once he said he was a cop that I had no hope in defeating him, so I sat there outside the store wondering what my next move was.
Do I declare defeat, or do I try one more store with hopes that I can find my treasure? I decided my need for toilet paper could wait for another day and I headed in the direction of my apartment.
I was too tired to watch humanity at its worst and decided that a nice long hot bath was in order.
I hadn’t gotten very far when I heard yelling from behind me. I ignored it and kept going, because let’s face it, what female would turn around when they heard yelling. I heard the hard foot falls of fast approaching footsteps.
“Hey, didn't you hear me calling out to you?” His gruff sexy voice would have been a complete turn on, if I wasn’t totally stressed out.
I sighed, spinning around and crossing my arms over my chest. I'm once again blinded by how good he looks.
I thought cops only looked good in those calendars they sold for charities. I mean, I’m seriously considering rolling over his foot just to get him to cuff me. Lord knows it would make me feel better, plus it would feel like I was in a scene in one of my smut books. I chuckle and open my mouth to reply when he cuts me off.
“Were you laughing at me?” he growls as his eyes roam from head to toe, lingering on my chest.
No way was I going to answer that so instead, I decided to respond to his first question.
“I didn't know that the yelling was directed at me. If you haven't noticed, everyone seems to have lost their minds lately. Now, how can I help you? If you want more toilet paper, I have none, hence why I was willing to do anything to get the one that you have.”
I could tell he wasn't impressed with my sarcasm. He just shook his head in annoyance.
I stared at the one thing the whole world wanted but I couldn't find, simply because a handful of people decided that they needed all of it. What happened to the golden rule of sharing our parents taught us?
“Look, I feel bad about taking this so it's only fair you take it.” He had that look of pity written all over his face.
A person in my shoes knows that look and as much as I needed that toilet paper, I wasn't going to take a pity gift. Nope, I would rather go without, because if there's one thing I hate it’s when people pity me.
I have never used this chair to get me stuff and I'm not about to start now.
I was pissed but unfortunately, he was a few feet away from me, so being able to "accidentally" hit him as I turned around to leave was out of the question. It was more important to leave with my self-respect than take the offered package of guilt paper.