HIDDEN COST
ALM No.93, September 2026
SHORT STORIES
One beautiful Sunday morning, Annie decided to take a trip to Costco. Her fridge was empty, and she had family coming over that afternoon for dinner. She got out of bed, showered, got dressed, and headed to the store.
When she arrived, the parking lot was surprisingly full. Thankfully, she found a parking spot and made her way inside. As soon as she entered, she was greeted by a woman standing behind a fruit display.
"Hello, ma'am! How are you today?" the worker asked.
"Hello! I'm doing great. How are you?" Annie replied.
"I'm blessed. Would you like to try a free sample?"
Annie looked down at the small cups of grapes coated in what appeared to be a sugary powder. She could smell the sweet scent from where she stood.
"Oh, I'd love one! What's the sugar on the outside?"
"That's our delicious sour sugar powder. We toss the grapes in it for a fun flavor. I know you're going to love them."
The woman placed three grapes into a sample cup and handed it to Annie with a big smile.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
Annie tipped the cup to her lips and ate the grapes. She chewed for a moment before smiling.
"Those are amazing! They're sweet without being too sour."
"I knew you'd enjoy them!" the woman said. "Be sure to grab a bag from the frozen aisle before you check out."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again!"
Annie continued shopping. About an hour later, she reached the frozen aisle and spotted the bag of sour grapes. She picked it up and looked at the price.
"Hmm... these are good, but I'm not sure they're nine dollars good," she muttered, placing the bag back on the shelf.
"You decided on those grapes yet?"
Annie turned around and saw the same woman who had given her the sample.
"Oh... I'm still thinking about it," Annie replied with a nervous laugh.
The woman smiled.
"You know, I have a son who's about your age."
"Oh... that's nice," Annie answered, confused.
"He recently got divorced. It's been so hard on him."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"You're exactly his type. You're very pretty."
Annie immediately became uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry about his divorce, but I'm not interested."
"He's such a gentleman," the woman insisted. "Please, just give him one chance."
"Ma'am, I'm really not interested."
The woman paused before saying, "Well, I was only supposed to give you one grape, but I gave you three."
Annie stared at her.
"I'm not sure what that has to do with anything."
"I did you a favor, so now you should do one for me," the woman said with a laugh.
Annie slowly started backing away.
"I'm sorry, but I have to get going."
"No, no. Just hear me out."
The woman suddenly grabbed Annie's arm.
Annie quickly pulled away and hurried toward the self-checkout. The woman followed behind her.
"Please! You'd make my son so happy!"
Annie scanned her groceries as quickly as she could.
"Please leave me alone," she said firmly.
When she finished paying, Annie grabbed her bags and rushed outside.
"My son is on his way here!" the woman shouted as she followed.
Annie hurried to her car, tossed her groceries into the back seat, and climbed inside. Before she could leave, the woman stepped in front of the car, blocking her path.
"Please wait just a little longer. You're going to love him."
"I'm sorry, but I really have to go," Annie replied.
The woman continued begging, refusing to move. Finally, she stepped just far enough to one side for Annie to carefully drive past without hitting her.
As Annie drove toward the parking lot exit, she glanced in her rearview mirror. The woman was sprinting after her car, still waving her arms and calling out for her to wait.
Once Annie reached the main road, she let out a long sigh of relief. She couldn't help but laugh to herself.
"Next time," she muttered, "I'm skipping the free samples."
Subscribe to FREE digital flip copy of the Adelaide Magazine printed edition.