Green Plums

In the supermarket, the fruit section was almost empty.

An elderly woman stood in front of a box of green plums for a long time.

She picked up one, turned it slightly in her fingers, then put it back again.

Beside her, a man held a thin plastic bag open with both hands.

The bag stayed open while she compared another two plums near the corner of the box.

One plum rolled forward slightly when she moved the others.

The shopping cart beside them was turned a little sideways.

There were only a few things inside: a bottle of cooking oil, some leafy vegetables, and a pack of tissues.

Someone pushed another cart through the next aisle.

A short wheel sound passed and disappeared again.

The woman picked up a smaller plum this time.

The man lifted the bag slightly higher without looking at her.

Above the fruit shelves, the supermarket lights reflected softly on the smooth green skins.

Near the bottom of the box, several plums were still slightly pale, not fully green yet.

After a while, she finally placed one plum into the bag.

The man did not lower the bag immediately.

He kept holding it open for another second before letting his hands rest again on the cart handle.