Safeway

Two nights ago, I went to Safeway with James.

Our mission: To get some white peaches.

After about 30 seconds, our mission was complete.

We started for the check-out line, when suddenly I saw a familiar face.

I couldn't help it; my reaction was so automatic:

"HI KEVIN!!"

What I saw.

What actually happened.

For some reason, I have almost no impulse control when it comes to calling out to people that I know. Doesn't matter if they are my best friend, or some random person I met on the bus four years ago who's name I happen to remember: if I see them in close proximity, chances are they'll be hearing my voice say their name.

[Background:

• Kevin and I dated last year, over summer. (**interesting note: James and him met at a 4th of July party I threw during that time. A year later, Kevin and James met again, with the situation reversed. I'm pretty sure neither of them remembered each other from the year before.)
• I'd seen Kevin maybe 3 times in the past year, while we both lived in Santa Cruz. These meet-ups were only because I was friends with a housemate of his and because I'd gone into the lab he worked in to do some work of my own. We barely talked during those accidental run-ins.
• Apparently, Kevin had just moved up to Berkeley for grad school less than a week before.
• As it stands, we barely cut it as friendly-acquaintances.

Of course, I ignored these points, especially the second and fourth ones.]

After my outburst, social conventions dictated I stand behind him in line and engage in pleasantries. 

Less than a minute later, we had nothing to say.

This pattern continued for the next five minutes we were in line.

Here are some examples of the conversation that followed:

Me: So... do you live on North-side Berkeley?
Him: No. But this Safeway has more open parking.

Him: So... how's the job? ("job" pronounced as "jaaaaawwwwb")
Me: Oh, at _______?
Him: ...Sure.

Me: It's going good; just had a presentation last week. Not much to do this week.

 Me: Um... are you working in LBL (Lawrence Berkeley Labs) then?
Him: No. I mean, I guess I could work at LBHL [sic] , but... yeah... 

...Needless to say, it was painful. 

Finally, after some mumbled goodbyes and good-lucks, he was gone, and I was free.

I'm pretty sure the better parking wasn't worth it.