Mike Barthel

Lydia was in the Sam’s Club reaching for a box containing three boxes of cereal when the lanky man pushed his flatbed cart uncomfortably close to her flatbed cart. “As you can see, I have a compendium of canning jars,” he said. “Are you also interested in canning?” She squinted at his selection, six jars with glass handles that said “Wine-O-Clock” instead of “Ball.” Feeling charitable and a little intrigued, she said,  “Did a whole shelf of asparagus this weekend. You need the tall jars for those.” The man nodded stiffly. “And do you enjoy dining at Cook Out? My…