On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the laundry room, matching socks from a warm pile on top of the dryer.

“We’re out of coffee,” she said, holding up the empty canister.

Marcus checked the list on his phone. “Coffee, milk, onions, dog food. And the pharmacy says your prescription is ready.”

They lived in a small brick house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that errands rarely required much planning. Still, Elena grabbed two reusable bags while Marcus took the recycling bin to the garage. Before leaving, they debated whether rain was likely, then decided to bring one umbrella.

At the supermarket, Marcus pushed the cart while Elena compared coffee prices. He preferred the familiar dark roast, but she noticed another brand was on sale. They agreed to try it and moved on to produce, where Marcus selected onions and Elena added apples that weren’t on the list.

“You always do that,” he said.

“Buy fruit?”

“Improve the list.”

At the dairy case, Elena remembered they needed butter. Marcus checked their bank app before suggesting they skip the expensive dog treats. They chose a cheaper box, then used a coupon at checkout.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. While Elena waited at the counter, Marcus walked to the hardware aisle and found the furnace filters they had been meaning to replace. She joined him a few minutes later, prescription bag in hand, and reminded him they also needed batteries for the smoke detector.

On the way home, they stopped at the post office. Elena mailed a birthday card to her sister while Marcus dropped a package at the return counter.

Rain began as they pulled into their driveway. Marcus carried the grocery bags, and Elena balanced the dog food and umbrella. Inside, they put everything away together. Marcus started coffee with the new beans while Elena replaced the smoke-detector batteries.

When the machine finished brewing, they stood in the kitchen and shared a cautious first sip.

“Not bad,” Marcus said.

Elena smiled. “Put it on the next list.”


On Saturday morning, Maya found Daniel in the kitchen, adding the last of the milk to his coffee. They had lived in their Ohio townhouse for six years, long enough to know that an empty carton meant the weekend errands could no longer be postponed.

Maya opened the refrigerator and made a list while Daniel checked the pantry. They needed milk, eggs, rice, tomatoes, and cat food. Daniel added coffee filters and held up a nearly empty bottle of dish soap.

They left together just after ten. Maya drove, and Daniel read the list from the passenger seat. Their first stop was the post office, where Maya mailed a birthday package to her sister. While she waited in line, Daniel bought stamps from the machine and checked the post office box they shared for bills and neighborhood notices.

Next, they stopped at the pharmacy. Daniel picked up a refill, and Maya compared prices on allergy medicine before choosing the store brand. On the way out, they remembered the dry cleaning. Daniel ran inside with the claim ticket while Maya moved the car from a loading zone.

At the grocery store, they divided the work without discussing it. Maya started in produce, choosing tomatoes and checking avocados for ripeness. Daniel went to the pet aisle for cat food, then found the rice and coffee filters. They met near the dairy case, where Daniel placed two gallons of milk in the cart.

“Two?” Maya asked.

“So we don’t have to come back Tuesday,” he said.

At checkout, Maya unloaded the cart while Daniel bagged the groceries, keeping the eggs and tomatoes on top. They stopped for gas on the way home, and Maya cleaned the windshield while Daniel paid at the pump.

Back at the townhouse, they carried everything inside in two trips. Daniel put away the pantry items, and Maya arranged the produce in the refrigerator. Their cat circled the grocery bags, hopeful and impatient.

By noon, the errands were done. Daniel made sandwiches, Maya poured fresh milk into their coffee, and they sat at the kitchen table, pleased to have the rest of Saturday to themselves.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter comparing their grocery list with the nearly empty refrigerator. Her husband, Marcus, rinsed two travel mugs and filled them with coffee.

“We need milk, eggs, and something for dinner,” Elena said.

“And dog food,” Marcus added, glancing at Baxter, who thumped his tail against a cabinet.

They left their townhouse in Columbus just before ten. Elena drove while Marcus checked the list on his phone. Their first stop was the post office, where Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. While she waited in line, Marcus used the self-service machine to buy stamps and dropped their electric bill into the outgoing mail slot.

Next, they drove to the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena wandered two aisles over to find toothpaste and allergy medicine. At the register, she reminded him to use the coupon they had clipped to the loyalty card.

The grocery store was already crowded. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena chose produce, squeezing avocados and rejecting a bruised bag of apples. In the dairy aisle, Marcus noticed that yogurt was on sale and selected several containers for their weekday lunches. They debated dinner near the meat counter and settled on chicken tacos, adding tortillas, cilantro, and salsa to the cart.

At checkout, Elena unloaded the groceries while Marcus bagged them, keeping the bread away from the canned goods. On the way home, they stopped at a gas station. Marcus filled the tank, and Elena cleaned old receipts and an empty water bottle from the car.

Back at the townhouse, they carried everything inside in two trips. Marcus stored the dog food in the pantry and gave Baxter a small handful. Elena arranged the vegetables in the refrigerator.

“Lunch?” Marcus asked.

Elena looked at the clock and smiled. “Only if you make it.”

He pulled out the fresh bread and turkey they had bought, while she opened the mail they had collected on their way in. Their errands were finished, and the rest of the afternoon was theirs.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter comparing the grocery list with the nearly empty refrigerator. Her husband, Marcus, rinsed their coffee mugs and checked the pantry.

“We’re out of rice,” he said.

“And laundry detergent,” Elena added, writing both items at the bottom of the list.

They left their townhouse in Columbus just before ten, taking reusable bags and a package that needed to be returned. Marcus drove while Elena reviewed their stops: post office, pharmacy, grocery store, then the gas station on the way home.

At the post office, Marcus carried the box while Elena pulled up the return label on her phone. The line moved slowly, but they used the time to decide what to make for dinner. By the time they reached the counter, they had settled on chicken tacos.

Next, they stopped at the pharmacy. Elena picked up a prescription while Marcus browsed the seasonal aisle and found replacement batteries for the smoke detector. He held up a bag of discounted candy, but Elena reminded him that they still had Halloween chocolate in the freezer. He put it back with a sigh that made her laugh.

At the grocery store, they divided the list. Marcus headed for produce and meat; Elena collected cereal, detergent, and canned goods. They met near the dairy case, where Marcus had chosen six avocados.

“Six?” Elena asked.

“They were on sale.”

“They’ll all ripen Tuesday.”

After some negotiation, they bought three.

At checkout, Elena loaded the belt while Marcus bagged the groceries, keeping the eggs and bread separate. Outside, they worked together to fit everything into the trunk around an old folding chair they had forgotten to remove.

Marcus filled the gas tank at their final stop, and Elena went inside to buy windshield-washer fluid. When they reached home, light rain had begun. They carried the bags in quickly, then put everything away together. By noon, the errands were done, and the kitchen was stocked for the week.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter checking the refrigerator while her husband, Marcus, read items from a grocery list on his phone.

“Milk, spinach, eggs,” he said.

“And coffee,” Elena added, holding up the nearly empty bag. “Definitely coffee.”

They left their townhouse outside Columbus just after ten. Marcus drove, while Elena organized their stops in the order that made the most sense. First was the post office, where she mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. While she waited in line, Marcus used the self-service machine to buy stamps and checked their mailbox.

Next, they stopped at the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena browsed the greeting cards until he was finished. She found one for their neighbor, who had recently retired, and added it to the basket along with toothpaste and allergy medicine.

At the supermarket, they divided the list. Marcus headed toward produce, choosing apples and testing avocados for ripeness. Elena went to the dairy section, then circled back when she remembered they needed rice. They met near the frozen foods, where Marcus had added a pizza that was not on the list.

“For emergencies,” he said.

Elena smiled and put a carton of ice cream beside it. “Then we’ll need emergency dessert.”

At checkout, they realized they had forgotten coffee. Marcus stayed with the cart while Elena hurried to the next aisle and returned with two bags.

Their final stop was the gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield and emptied old receipts from the center console. By the time they reached home, light rain had begun to fall.

They carried the bags inside together, making two trips. Marcus put away the pantry items while Elena arranged the vegetables in the refrigerator. When everything was done, they heated soup for lunch and sat at the kitchen table, satisfied that the ordinary work of the weekend was already behind them.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re out of milk,” he said, moving a jar of pickles aside. “And almost out of eggs.”

Elena added both to the list, then reminded him they needed to stop at the pharmacy and the post office. They lived in a modest neighborhood outside Columbus, Ohio, where most errands were clustered along the same busy road. By ten, they had loaded reusable bags into their sedan and backed out of the driveway.

At the post office, Marcus carried in a box containing a birthday gift for his sister. Elena waited in line with him and double-checked the address before he handed it to the clerk. Their next stop was the pharmacy, where Elena picked up a prescription while Marcus browsed the greeting cards. He found one for their neighbor, who was recovering from knee surgery, and Elena agreed it was cheerful without being overly sentimental.

The grocery store was crowded. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena read from the list. They compared prices on coffee, chose chicken for Sunday dinner, and debated whether they needed another bag of rice. In the produce section, Marcus selected apples while Elena inspected a bunch of cilantro.

“You always buy too much,” he said.

“And you always use it in everything,” she replied, putting it in the cart.

At checkout, Elena unloaded the groceries while Marcus bagged them, keeping the bread away from the canned goods. On the way home, they stopped at a gas station. Marcus filled the tank, and Elena cleaned the windshield with the squeegee.

Back at the house, they carried everything inside in two trips. Marcus put away the pantry items while Elena arranged the vegetables in the refrigerator. By noon, the errands were finished. They made sandwiches, sat at the kitchen table, and reviewed the receipt, pleased that they had stayed close to their budget.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And eggs.”

Elena added both to the list, then reminded him they also needed detergent, coffee, and something for dinner. They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish their errands in one loop.

Marcus drove while Elena reviewed their stops. First, they went to the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister in Arizona. While he waited in line, Elena bought a book of stamps from the self-service kiosk. Next, they stopped at the pharmacy. Elena picked up a prescription, and Marcus grabbed toothpaste and bandages from the front aisle.

At the grocery store, they divided the list. Marcus headed toward produce and chose apples, onions, and a bag of spinach. Elena went to the dairy section for milk, eggs, and yogurt. They met near the meat counter, where they debated dinner.

“Chicken tacos?” Marcus suggested.

“We had tacos on Tuesday,” Elena said.

They settled on salmon, rice, and green beans. Marcus noticed the coffee they liked was on sale, so they bought two bags. Elena compared prices on laundry detergent and chose the store brand.

At checkout, Marcus loaded the conveyor belt while Elena scanned their loyalty card and bagged the groceries. The total was slightly higher than they expected, but they had stayed close to the list.

On the way home, they stopped at a gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield and threw away old receipts from the center console.

Back at the house, they carried everything inside together. Marcus put away the cold groceries as Elena sorted the mail and started a load of laundry. By early afternoon, the errands were done. They made sandwiches, sat at the kitchen table, and talked about taking a walk before dinner.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter checking the refrigerator while her husband, Marcus, read items from a list on his phone.

“Milk, eggs, spinach,” he said.

“And coffee,” Elena added, holding up the nearly empty bag. “Definitely coffee.”

They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish most errands in one loop. Marcus drove, while Elena sorted the coupons she had saved and mapped out their stops.

First, they went to the post office. Marcus carried in a package for his sister, and Elena bought a book of stamps from the self-service machine. Next, they stopped at the bank’s ATM to deposit two checks. Elena fed them into the machine while Marcus stood beside her, double-checking the amounts on the receipts.

At the pharmacy, Marcus picked up a prescription. Elena wandered to the household aisle and found the furnace filters they needed. She texted him a picture of the size printed on the package, and he confirmed it matched the note taped near their thermostat at home.

Their final stop was the grocery store. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena worked down the list. In produce, he chose tomatoes and tested avocados for ripeness. She compared prices on chicken and selected a family pack they could divide and freeze. They briefly disagreed over cereal—Marcus wanted the expensive granola, while Elena pointed out that it was not on sale—then compromised by buying one small box.

At checkout, Marcus loaded the conveyor belt, and Elena scanned the loyalty app and handed over the coupons. They packed the bags together, putting frozen food in one and bread and eggs in another.

By the time they reached home, light rain had begun. Marcus carried in the heavier bags while Elena unlocked the door and cleared space on the counter. They put everything away side by side, then made coffee and sat at the kitchen table, pleased that the rest of the afternoon was still theirs.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And we need eggs.”

Elena added both items to the list, along with rice, tomatoes, coffee, and chicken. Their house in a quiet Ohio suburb was only ten minutes from the shopping center, but they had several errands to handle, so Marcus gathered the library books while Elena found the package she needed to return.

They left just before ten. Elena drove, and Marcus used his phone to check the pharmacy hours. Their first stop was the post office, where Elena returned the package. While she waited for a receipt, Marcus bought a sheet of stamps and mailed the electric bill they had forgotten to send earlier in the week.

Next, they drove to the public library. Marcus carried the books inside, and Elena came with him to pick up a novel she had reserved. On the way out, they paused at the community bulletin board and noted the date of an upcoming neighborhood cleanup.

At the pharmacy, Marcus collected a prescription while Elena browsed the greeting cards and chose one for her sister’s birthday. Then they crossed the parking lot to the supermarket.

Inside, they divided the work without separating. Marcus pushed the cart and compared prices, while Elena checked items off the list. He chose apples and inspected the avocados; she selected chicken and found the coffee they both liked. They briefly debated whether they needed ice cream and decided that they did.

At checkout, Marcus loaded the conveyor belt while Elena scanned their loyalty card and paid. Back at the car, they packed the cold items together in an insulated bag.

By noon, they were home. Marcus carried in the heavier bags, and Elena put away the groceries. When everything was finished, they made sandwiches, opened the new carton of milk, and agreed they had earned a quiet afternoon.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter, checking the refrigerator while her husband, Marcus, read items from a grocery list on his phone.

“Milk, eggs, spinach,” he said.

“And coffee,” Elena added, holding up the nearly empty bag. “Definitely coffee.”

They left their townhouse outside Columbus just after nine. Marcus drove, and Elena adjusted the vents while reminding him that they needed to stop at the pharmacy before noon. Their first errand was the post office, where Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. Marcus waited beside her, filling out a change-of-address card for a former tenant whose mail still arrived at their home.

Next, they crossed the shopping plaza to the bank. Marcus deposited two checks at the ATM while Elena sat in the car and updated their shared budget on her phone. When he returned, she showed him the total they could spend on groceries.

“That should be plenty,” he said. “As long as we don’t shop hungry.”

At the pharmacy, Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena bought toothpaste and a box of bandages. Then they drove to the supermarket. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena compared prices and checked items off the list. He chose tomatoes and avocados; she selected chicken, rice, and vegetables for the week. They debated whether they needed ice cream, then compromised on a small carton of chocolate.

At checkout, Marcus packed the heavier items into reusable bags while Elena paid. On the way home, they stopped at a gas station. Elena filled the tank, and Marcus cleaned the windshield with the squeegee.

By noon, they were back in their kitchen, unloading together. Marcus put away the pantry items while Elena arranged produce in the refrigerator. When everything was finished, he started coffee, and she opened the ice cream.

“We bought that for later,” Marcus said.

Elena handed him a spoon. “It is later.”

He laughed and joined her at the counter.


Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter comparing the grocery list with the nearly empty refrigerator. Her husband, Marcus, rinsed their coffee mugs and added dish soap to the list.

“We’re low on rice, too,” he said, checking the pantry.

Elena wrote it down, then grabbed their reusable bags from the hall closet. They left their townhouse outside Columbus just before ten, hoping to beat the weekend crowds.

Marcus drove while Elena reviewed their errands: groceries, the pharmacy, the post office, and a quick stop at the hardware store for a replacement furnace filter. At the pharmacy drive-through, Marcus picked up his prescription while Elena checked the grocery store app for coupons. Then they continued to the post office, where Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. Marcus held the door for an older man carrying several boxes and helped him set one on the counter.

At the hardware store, they stood in front of a wall of filters, trying to remember the correct size. Elena searched through photos on her phone until she found a picture she had taken of the old one.

“Sixteen by twenty-five,” she said.

“I was only off by five inches,” Marcus replied, returning the wrong filter to the shelf.

Their final stop was the supermarket. They divided the list without separating completely: Marcus chose produce while Elena compared prices on chicken, then they met near the dairy case. He reminded her they needed yogurt; she reminded him that the bananas in their cart were already ripe enough.

At checkout, they packed the bags together, keeping the eggs and bread on top. Rain had begun by the time they reached the parking lot, so Marcus pushed the cart while Elena held an umbrella over both of them, not very successfully.

Back home, they carried everything inside in two trips. Elena put away the cold items while Marcus replaced the furnace filter. By noon, the errands were finished, the refrigerator was full, and they sat down together to eat sandwiches made from the groceries they had just bought.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And this spinach has seen better days.”

Elena added both items to the list. They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that errands usually took less than two hours if traffic cooperated. Before leaving, Marcus gathered the library books from the coffee table, and Elena slipped a package that needed returning into a reusable shopping bag.

They drove first to the post office. While Marcus waited in line to mail the package, Elena bought stamps from the machine in the lobby. Their next stop was the library, where Elena returned the books through the outdoor slot and Marcus went inside to pick up a mystery novel he had reserved.

At the pharmacy, they divided the tasks. Elena collected a prescription while Marcus found toothpaste and a new bottle of sunscreen. They met at the register, compared what they had picked up, and agreed they had everything.

The grocery store was busiest around the produce section. Marcus chose apples and inspected a bag of potatoes while Elena picked out tomatoes and broccoli. In the dairy aisle, they debated whether to buy the larger carton of milk.

“We’ll use it,” Marcus said.

“We said that last time,” Elena replied, smiling as she placed the smaller carton in the cart.

They worked their way through the remaining aisles, crossing off pasta, coffee, chicken, and cereal. Marcus remembered dish soap just before they reached the checkout.

Back home, Elena carried in the lighter bags while Marcus brought the heavier ones from the trunk. Together they put everything away, clearing old leftovers from the refrigerator to make room. By early afternoon, the errands were finished. Marcus started coffee, Elena opened the mail, and they sat at the kitchen table, pleased to have the rest of the weekend ahead of them.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And this yogurt expired three days ago.”

Elena added milk and yogurt to the list. They had lived in their small Ohio townhouse for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster when they planned the route. Marcus suggested starting at the post office, then stopping by the pharmacy before heading to the supermarket.

They left just before ten. Elena drove while Marcus carried the envelopes that needed mailing. At the post office, she waited in the car and answered a text from their neighbor while he went inside to buy stamps and send a birthday package to his sister.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena found the allergy medicine she needed. At the register, they remembered they were also low on toothpaste, so Marcus hurried back to the personal-care aisle while Elena paid for the other items.

The supermarket was crowded. Marcus pushed the cart, and Elena read from the list. In produce, he chose apples and inspected a bag of potatoes while she compared prices on salad greens. They split up briefly—Marcus went for coffee and cereal, while Elena collected pasta, canned tomatoes, and rice.

Near the freezer section, they debated whether to buy ice cream.

“We still have some at home,” Marcus said.

“About two spoonfuls,” Elena replied.

They chose mint chocolate chip.

At checkout, Marcus loaded the conveyor belt while Elena organized the coupons on her phone. He bagged the groceries, keeping the bread away from the heavier cans. Back in the parking lot, they divided the bags between them and loaded the trunk.

On the way home, Elena stopped at the gas station, and Marcus cleaned the windshield while the tank filled. By noon, they were back in their kitchen, putting everything away together. Marcus made sandwiches, and Elena opened the new bag of chips. Their errands had been ordinary, but completing them side by side made the weekend feel properly underway.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter checking the grocery list while her husband, Marcus, searched the hall closet for reusable bags. They had lived in their small Ohio bungalow for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster if they left before the hardware store and supermarket became crowded.

“Coffee, rice, onions,” Elena read aloud. “And something for dinner.”

Marcus emerged with three canvas bags tucked under one arm. “Chicken tacos?”

Elena added tortillas and limes to the list, then locked the back door while Marcus started the car.

Their first stop was the post office, where Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. Marcus waited beside her, filling out a change-of-address card for a former tenant whose mail still occasionally arrived at their house. Afterward, they drove to the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena compared prices on allergy medicine before choosing the store brand.

At the hardware store, they divided the work. Marcus found a replacement furnace filter while Elena asked an employee which weather stripping would fit the drafty kitchen window. They met near the registers, each holding exactly what they needed.

By the time they reached the supermarket, the parking lot was filling up. Marcus pushed the cart, and Elena checked items off the list. He chose avocados while she inspected tomatoes. In the dairy aisle, Elena reached for plain yogurt, but Marcus reminded her they still had half a container at home.

They added chicken, tortillas, limes, and a small bunch of cilantro. At the checkout, Marcus loaded the belt while Elena arranged the groceries into their bags so the bread would not be crushed.

Back home, they carried everything inside in two trips. Elena put away the cold items, and Marcus replaced the furnace filter. Then they opened the kitchen window, measured the frame together, and cut the weather stripping to size.

By early afternoon, the errands were finished. Marcus started another pot of coffee, and Elena set two mugs on the table. They sat down, pleased to have the rest of the weekend ahead of them.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter comparing the grocery list with the contents of the refrigerator. Her husband, Marcus, rinsed their coffee mugs and added dish soap to the list.

“We’re almost out of rice, too,” he said.

Elena checked the pantry. “And coffee. That would’ve been a bad surprise Monday morning.”

They left their townhouse outside Columbus just after ten. Marcus drove while Elena reviewed their errands: the bank, the pharmacy, the grocery store, and the post office. At the bank’s drive-through ATM, Marcus deposited two checks while Elena tucked the receipt into the envelope they used for household records.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. Elena picked up a prescription, and Marcus wandered to the greeting-card aisle to find a birthday card for his father. He returned holding two options—one sincere, one covered in cartoon fish.

“My dad will like the fish,” he said.

“He’ll pretend not to,” Elena replied, placing it in the basket.

At the post office, Elena mailed a return package while Marcus bought stamps. Then they headed to the supermarket. They divided the list without formally discussing it, as they usually did. Elena gathered produce and dairy while Marcus found canned tomatoes, pasta, rice, and coffee. They met near the frozen foods, where Marcus had added ice cream to the cart.

“That wasn’t on the list,” Elena said.

“Neither were the cookies you’re holding.”

They kept both.

At checkout, Elena loaded the conveyor belt while Marcus bagged the groceries, putting the eggs and bread together so they would not be crushed. Back home, they carried everything inside in two trips. Marcus put away the pantry items, and Elena arranged the vegetables in the refrigerator.

By noon, the errands were finished. They made sandwiches, opened the cookies, and sat at the small kitchen table, satisfied that the rest of the weekend was still theirs.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter checking the grocery list while her husband, Marcus, searched the hall closet for reusable bags. Their refrigerator held little besides mustard, half a carton of eggs, and a container of rice from Thursday night.

“We need coffee,” Marcus called.

“It’s already on the list,” Elena said, smiling as she added dish soap beneath it.

They left their townhouse outside Columbus just after nine. Elena drove, and Marcus read the errands from a note on his phone. First they stopped at the post office, where Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. While she waited in line, Marcus bought stamps and replaced the torn label on their mailbox key.

Next, they drove to the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena wandered two aisles over to find allergy tablets. At the register, they remembered the batteries for the smoke detector after hearing another customer mention them.

Their last stop was the supermarket. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena compared prices on chicken breasts. They divided the list without discussing it: he chose produce and bread; she found yogurt, pasta, and canned tomatoes. In the cereal aisle, Marcus reached for a sugary brand they rarely bought.

“For the children we don’t have?” Elena asked.

“For me,” he said, placing it in the cart.

She traded it for the smaller box.

At checkout, they realized they had forgotten milk. Marcus jogged back while Elena unloaded the cart and arranged the coupons on her phone. They packed the groceries together, putting frozen items in one bag so they could carry them inside first.

By noon, they were home. Marcus changed the smoke detector batteries while Elena put away the food. Then he made sandwiches, and she brewed the coffee they had nearly run out of. They ate at the kitchen table, tired but satisfied, listening to the washing machine begin its steady cycle in the next room.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter, reading the grocery list while her husband, Marcus, searched the hall closet for reusable bags. They had lived in their small Ohio house for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster if they left before the stores became crowded.

“Coffee, rice, tomatoes, dog food,” Elena said. “And lightbulbs for the porch.”

Marcus emerged with three folded bags and their library books tucked under one arm. “I added dishwasher tablets. We used the last one yesterday.”

They drove downtown first. Elena returned two novels at the library while Marcus dropped an envelope into the utility company’s payment box. Back at the car, she handed him a new mystery she had checked out for him.

“You said you wanted something for the flight next month,” she said.

At the pharmacy, Marcus picked up a prescription while Elena compared prices on allergy medicine. They debated whether to buy a large box, then agreed it would last through spring. Their next stop was the hardware store, where Marcus tested porch bulbs against the display chart and Elena found a packet of felt pads for the dining room chairs.

By the time they reached the supermarket, the parking lot was filling. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena checked off produce. He chose avocados; she rejected two before finding ones that would ripen by Tuesday. In the cereal aisle, they split up briefly—Marcus for dog food, Elena for coffee—and met again near the frozen vegetables.

At checkout, Elena noticed they had forgotten milk. Marcus jogged back while she unloaded the cart and arranged the coupons on top of the bread.

They returned home just before noon. Marcus carried in the heavy bags, and Elena put away the cold items. After replacing the porch bulb together—Elena holding the step stool steady while Marcus reached up—they made sandwiches and sat at the kitchen table.

It had taken nearly three hours, but everything was done. Their dog slept beside the pantry, unconcerned, while sunlight from the newly lit porch fixture went unnoticed in the bright afternoon.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And we need eggs.”

Elena added both to the list. Their house in a quiet Ohio suburb was still cluttered from the workweek—mail on the table, shoes by the door—but they decided errands came first. Marcus grabbed the reusable bags from the pantry, and Elena found the library books they needed to return.

They drove to the post office first. Elena waited in the car while Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister in Arizona. Then they switched places so Elena could drop off a prescription at the pharmacy while Marcus filled the gas tank.

At the library, they returned the books through the outdoor slot. Elena wanted to go inside to pick up a novel she had reserved, and Marcus came with her. While she spoke to the librarian, he browsed the new-release shelf and checked out a history book.

Their last stop was the grocery store. Marcus pushed the cart, and Elena read from the list. They chose chicken, rice, vegetables, coffee, and cereal. In the produce section, Marcus suggested buying strawberries, though they were not on the list. Elena agreed and added whipped cream for dessert.

At the checkout, they divided the work without discussing it. Elena unloaded the cart while Marcus arranged the bags so the bread and eggs would not be crushed. He paid, and she returned the cart after they loaded the trunk.

Back home, they carried everything inside together. Marcus put away the pantry items while Elena organized the refrigerator. By early afternoon, the errands were finished.

Elena washed a few strawberries and set them in a bowl between them at the kitchen table. Marcus opened his library book, and she sorted the mail. The day had been ordinary, but the house felt settled again, ready for the week ahead.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter checking the grocery list while her husband, Mark, searched the hall closet for reusable bags. They lived in a modest townhouse outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish their errands before lunch if traffic cooperated.

“We need coffee,” Mark called.

“It’s already on the list,” Elena said. “Right under the filters you forgot last time.”

He emerged with four canvas bags and gave her an apologetic smile. Before leaving, Elena put a load of towels in the washer, and Mark carried a package they needed to return out to the car.

Their first stop was the post office. While Mark waited in line to mail the return, Elena bought a sheet of stamps from the self-service kiosk. Next, they drove to the pharmacy, where Elena picked up a prescription and Mark chose a birthday card for his sister. They stood together in the card aisle, debating whether the joke inside was funny or merely strange, before settling on a simple one with flowers.

At the supermarket, they divided the list by section. Elena selected produce while Mark went to the deli counter. They met near the dairy cases, where he placed a container of potato salad in the cart.

“That wasn’t on the list,” she said.

“It’s for lunch.”

She added a loaf of rye bread. “Then we’ll need this.”

They moved through the remaining aisles together, comparing prices and checking expiration dates. At checkout, Mark loaded the conveyor belt while Elena arranged the bags in the cart. He packed the heavier cans on the bottom; she kept the eggs and tomatoes separate.

On the way home, they stopped for gas. Elena cleaned the windshield while Mark filled the tank. By noon, they were back in their driveway. They carried the groceries inside in two trips, put everything away, and made sandwiches with the potato salad on the side. As they sat down, the washing machine buzzed from upstairs.

Mark sighed. “One more errand.”

Elena smiled. “At least this one’s at home.”


On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the kitchen comparing the grocery list to the nearly empty refrigerator. They had lived in their small Ohio house for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster if they left before the roads filled up.

“We need coffee,” Marcus said, adding it to the list.

“And detergent,” Elena replied, holding up the almost-empty bottle from the laundry room.

They put reusable bags in the trunk and drove first to the bank. While Marcus deposited a check at the ATM, Elena walked next door to the pharmacy to pick up her allergy prescription. He met her at the counter just as the receipt printed, and together they headed back to the car.

Their next stop was the hardware store. A cabinet hinge had been squeaking for weeks, and Marcus had finally removed it to find a replacement. Elena compared the display samples while he checked the measurements on his phone. They chose a matching hinge, plus a pack of lightbulbs Elena remembered they needed for the hallway.

At the supermarket, they divided the list without separating. Marcus pushed the cart and selected produce while Elena checked prices and crossed off items. He picked up tomatoes, onions, and a bag of apples; she chose chicken, rice, yogurt, and the coffee they had nearly forgotten. In the frozen aisle, they debated between two pizzas before agreeing to buy the one on sale.

At checkout, Elena loaded the belt while Marcus bagged the groceries. He kept the eggs and bread together so they would not be crushed, and she reminded him to put the detergent in a separate bag.

On the way home, they stopped at the gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield with the squeegee.

By noon, they were back in their driveway. They carried the bags inside together, then put everything away before making sandwiches. The errands had been ordinary, but the refrigerator was full, the car had gas, and the loose cabinet door would finally be fixed.


On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the garage flattening cardboard boxes for recycling. She stood in the doorway with a grocery list on her phone and reminded him that they still needed to stop at the pharmacy and the post office.

Marcus checked his watch. “If we leave now, we can beat the lunch crowd.”

They loaded the recycling into the trunk of their sedan and drove across town. At the county drop-off center, Elena helped carry the cardboard to the proper bin while Marcus sorted glass jars and aluminum cans. A gust of wind caught one of the paper bags, and Elena chased it halfway across the lot before stepping on it. They laughed as she returned, holding it up like a trophy.

Their next stop was the post office. Marcus waited in line to mail a birthday package to his sister in Ohio while Elena bought a book of stamps from the kiosk. Then they walked next door to the pharmacy, where Elena picked up a prescription and Marcus compared prices on allergy medicine.

By the time they reached the supermarket, the parking lot was filling. Elena steered the cart while Marcus read from the list. They divided the work without discussing it: she chose produce and checked the avocados, while he went to the dairy aisle for milk and yogurt. They met near the bakery, where Marcus added a loaf of sourdough that was not on the list.

“We already have bread,” Elena said.

“Not good bread,” he replied.

She left it in the cart.

At checkout, they realized they had forgotten coffee. Marcus hurried back for it while Elena unloaded the groceries onto the belt. Outside, they packed the bags around the empty recycling bins and drove home.

Elena put away the cold items while Marcus carried everything in. When the last bag was emptied, he sliced the sourdough, and she made two sandwiches. They ate at the kitchen counter, tired but pleased that the errands were finished before noon.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And the spinach has given up.”

Elena added both items to the list. They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that errands rarely required much planning. Still, they tried to combine trips to save time and gas.

Marcus drove, while Elena organized their stops: the post office, the pharmacy, the hardware store, and finally the supermarket. At the post office, Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. Marcus held the door for an older man carrying two large boxes, then bought a roll of stamps.

Their next stop was the pharmacy, where Marcus picked up a prescription. While he waited, Elena compared prices on allergy medicine and chose the store brand. At the hardware store, they searched for a replacement filter for the furnace. Marcus found the correct size, and Elena remembered they also needed batteries for the smoke detectors.

By the time they reached the supermarket, the parking lot was crowded. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena checked items off the list. They chose apples, chicken, rice, yogurt, and fresh spinach. In the cereal aisle, Marcus reached for a sugary brand they had not bought in years.

“For nostalgia,” he said.

Elena laughed but put it back, replacing it with oatmeal. He retaliated by adding a bag of chocolate-covered pretzels to the cart. She let those stay.

At checkout, they split the work without discussing it: Marcus unloaded the cart, and Elena packed the reusable bags. On the drive home, they talked about making chicken and rice for dinner.

Back at the house, Marcus carried in the heavier bags while Elena brought the pharmacy items and mail. They put everything away together, replaced the furnace filter, and wrote the date on its cardboard edge. By early afternoon, the errands were finished, and the house felt quietly prepared for another week.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We need milk,” he said, lifting the nearly empty carton. “And eggs. Maybe something for dinner that isn’t frozen pizza.”

Elena added both items to the list. They lived in a small ranch house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish their errands in one loop. Before leaving, Marcus carried a bag of library books to the car, and Elena grabbed a package that needed to be returned.

Their first stop was the post office. While Elena waited at the counter for a receipt, Marcus bought a sheet of stamps from the machine. Then they drove to the library, where he dropped the books into the return slot. Elena went inside to pick up a mystery novel she had reserved, and Marcus waited near the entrance, reading flyers for community events.

At the grocery store, they divided the list without formally saying so. Elena chose vegetables and compared prices on chicken, while Marcus picked up cereal, coffee, and cleaning supplies. They met near the dairy case, where Marcus held up two cartons of eggs.

“These are cheaper,” he said.

“But three are cracked,” Elena replied, checking the lid. They chose the other carton.

At checkout, Elena remembered they needed batteries for the smoke detector. Marcus went back for them while she unloaded the cart. Afterward, they stopped at the pharmacy drive-through to collect his prescription.

On the way home, Marcus suggested getting gas. Elena checked the fuel gauge and agreed. While he filled the tank, she cleared old receipts from the center console.

Back at the house, they carried the bags in together. Marcus put away the pantry items while Elena arranged the produce in the refrigerator. By noon, the errands were finished. Elena made sandwiches, and Marcus poured them each a glass of iced tea. They ate at the kitchen table, satisfied that the rest of the weekend was still theirs.


On Saturday morning, Lena stood at the kitchen counter, comparing the grocery list with the nearly empty refrigerator. Her husband, Marcus, rinsed their coffee mugs and added dish soap to the list.

“We’re almost out of trash bags, too,” he said.

Lena wrote that down, then grabbed her purse while Marcus found the reusable shopping bags in the hall closet. They locked their townhouse and drove toward the shopping center outside Columbus, Ohio, discussing what to make for dinner. Lena wanted tacos; Marcus suggested using the slow cooker for chicken. They settled on tacos that night and chicken the next day.

Their first stop was the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister. While he waited in line, Lena bought a book of stamps from the kiosk. Next, they stopped at the pharmacy. Lena picked up a prescription, and Marcus found the allergy medicine he needed.

At the grocery store, they divided the list without separating. Marcus pushed the cart while Lena chose produce, checking avocados for ripeness. In the dairy aisle, he reminded her that they needed yogurt, and she pointed out a sale on shredded cheese. They compared prices on chicken breasts, chose a family-sized package, and added tortillas, beans, cereal, and coffee.

Near the checkout, Marcus remembered the dish soap. Lena laughed and steered the cart back toward the cleaning aisle.

After loading the groceries into the trunk, they drove to a gas station. Lena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield and threw away old receipts from the center console.

Back home, they carried everything inside in two trips. Marcus put away the pantry items as Lena arranged the vegetables in the refrigerator. When the last bag was empty, she set the tortillas on the counter.

“I’ll chop the onions,” she said.

Marcus took out a skillet. “Then I’ll start the chicken.”

Their errands had taken most of the afternoon, but dinner was underway, the car had a full tank, and the house felt ready for the week.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And I used the last of the mustard.”

Elena added both items to the list. They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish their errands in one loop. Before leaving, Marcus gathered two library books from the coffee table, and Elena tucked a package that needed returning under her arm.

They drove first to the post office. While Elena waited in line to mail the return, Marcus bought a sheet of stamps from the kiosk. Then they crossed town to the library, where Marcus dropped the books into the return slot. Elena went inside to pick up a novel she had placed on hold, and he waited by the community bulletin board, reading a flyer about a neighborhood cleanup.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. Marcus collected a prescription, while Elena compared prices on allergy medicine. They chose the store brand and added a box of bandages they had been meaning to replace.

At the supermarket, they divided the list but stayed in the same general area. Elena selected vegetables and fruit while Marcus found bread, cereal, and coffee. They met near the dairy case, where Marcus placed milk in the cart and Elena reminded him about mustard. At the checkout, they realized they had forgotten eggs, so Marcus hurried back while Elena unloaded the cart.

On the way home, they stopped at a gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield and threw away a handful of old receipts from the console.

Back at the house, they carried the bags inside together. Marcus put away the pantry items, and Elena arranged the produce in the refrigerator. By noon, every errand was finished. They made sandwiches, opened the windows to let in the mild spring air, and sat down at the kitchen table, pleased to have the rest of the day free.


On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the laundry room, comparing two nearly empty detergent bottles.

“We need more,” he said, holding them up.

Elena added detergent to the list on her phone. They already needed milk, rice, onions, coffee, and food for their old terrier, Jasper. Marcus remembered they also had a package waiting at the post office and a prescription ready at the pharmacy.

By ten, they were backing their Subaru out of the driveway. Elena drove while Marcus read the list aloud and arranged their stops by location. Their neighborhood outside Columbus was busy with weekend traffic, but the errands were all within a few miles.

At the post office, Elena waited in line for the package while Marcus bought stamps from the kiosk. The box turned out to contain a set of replacement cabinet handles they had ordered. Marcus shook it gently.

“Weekend project,” he said.

“Your weekend project,” Elena replied, smiling.

Next, they stopped at the pharmacy. Marcus picked up his prescription while Elena browsed the greeting cards and chose one for her sister’s birthday. Before leaving, they checked their blood pressure at the machine near the counter and argued cheerfully about whose reading was better.

The grocery store took the longest. Marcus pushed the cart and selected produce while Elena compared prices. He reached for a bag of avocados, but she pointed out that they were still hard. At the dairy case, Elena grabbed milk and eggs, and Marcus doubled back for the coffee they had nearly forgotten. They discussed dinner and settled on chicken tacos, adding tortillas, cilantro, and limes.

At checkout, they divided the bags so the bread and eggs stayed on top. Marcus loaded the trunk while Elena returned the cart.

On the way home, they stopped for gas. Elena cleaned the windshield as Marcus filled the tank. Back in their driveway, they carried everything inside together, making two trips.

Jasper greeted them as if they had been gone for days. Marcus opened the dog food, and Elena started lunch. The errands had taken less than two hours, leaving the afternoon free—except, as Elena reminded him, for the cabinet handles.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter in their Ohio home, checking the refrigerator while her husband, Marcus, made a list on the back of an old envelope.

“We’re out of milk,” she said. “And nearly out of eggs.”

Marcus added both items, then held up the envelope. “Pharmacy, post office, groceries. Anything else?”

Elena glanced toward the laundry room. “Detergent. The unscented kind.”

They left just after ten, taking Elena’s car because Marcus’s pickup was low on gas. The sky was gray, and a light drizzle dotted the windshield. At the post office, Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister in Arizona while Elena waited by the wall of blue mailboxes, sorting coupons from her purse.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. Elena picked up a prescription, and Marcus wandered to the seasonal aisle for batteries. He returned with a small bag of jelly beans.

“Those weren’t on the list,” Elena said.

“They’re for the drive home.”

At the supermarket, they divided the work without discussing it. Marcus pushed the cart and found pantry items while Elena chose produce. They compared prices on coffee, debated whether they needed two jars of pasta sauce, and agreed to buy chicken thighs because they were on sale. When Marcus reached for the wrong detergent, Elena swapped it for the unscented bottle.

At checkout, Elena loaded the belt while Marcus bagged the groceries, keeping the bread and eggs on top. The rain had strengthened by the time they crossed the parking lot. Elena returned the cart, and Marcus arranged the bags in the trunk so nothing would tip over.

On the way home, they stopped at a gas station and filled Elena’s tank. Marcus opened the jelly beans, and they shared them at a red light.

Back at the house, they carried everything inside in two trips. Elena put away the cold items while Marcus stacked cans in the pantry. By noon, the errands were done, and they made sandwiches for lunch, satisfied to have the rest of the day free.


On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the garage, folding reusable grocery bags into the trunk of their dusty blue sedan. They had lived in the same Ohio suburb for six years, long enough to know that the supermarket became crowded after ten.

“Did you bring the list?” he asked.

Elena patted her coat pocket. “And the coupons you left on the counter.”

Their first stop was the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister in Arizona. While he waited at the counter, Elena bought a book of stamps and checked their post office box. She handed him an envelope from the insurance company as they returned to the car.

“Probably another policy update,” she said.

“Something exciting for later,” Marcus replied.

Next, they drove to the pharmacy. Elena picked up a prescription while Marcus browsed the cold medicine aisle and added a box of tissues to their basket. At the register, they remembered their neighbor, Mrs. Kaplan, had asked them to buy batteries for her smoke detector, so Elena went back for a pack.

The grocery store was busy but manageable. Marcus steered the cart while Elena read from the list. They debated whether they needed two cartons of eggs, agreed on one, and chose chicken thighs for Sunday dinner. In the produce section, Marcus inspected avocados while Elena selected apples and green beans.

“You always pick them too hard,” she said, taking one avocado from his hand.

“They ripen eventually.”

“Usually all at once.”

They both laughed and kept moving.

At the self-checkout, Elena scanned the groceries while Marcus bagged them, keeping the bread away from the canned tomatoes. Before heading home, they stopped at the gas station and filled the tank.

Back in their driveway, Marcus carried the heavier bags inside. Elena took the pharmacy bag and delivered the batteries next door. Ten minutes later, they were putting groceries away together, discussing lunch and the unopened insurance letter.

“Sandwiches first,” Marcus suggested.

Elena closed the refrigerator. “Definitely sandwiches first.”


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And we need something for dinner.”

Elena added both items to the list. They had lived in their small Ohio house for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster if they planned the route. Marcus suggested starting at the post office, then stopping by the pharmacy before heading to the supermarket.

They left just after ten. Elena drove while Marcus carried the envelopes that needed mailing. At the post office, she waited in the car and answered a text from their neighbor. Marcus returned a few minutes later with a sheet of stamps Elena had asked him to buy.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena found the allergy medicine they kept in the bathroom cabinet. On the way out, they noticed a display of discounted greeting cards and chose one for Marcus’s mother, whose birthday was the following week.

At the supermarket, Marcus pushed the cart while Elena read from the list. They moved through produce first, comparing tomatoes and choosing a bag of apples. Marcus suggested tacos for dinner, so Elena added tortillas and cilantro while he went back for ground turkey. They also bought coffee, cereal, dish soap, and the milk Marcus had noticed that morning.

Near the checkout, Elena remembered they needed batteries for the smoke detector. Marcus found the right size, then loaded the groceries onto the conveyor belt while she scanned their store coupons.

By noon, they were home. Marcus carried in the heavier bags, and Elena put away the refrigerated items. Afterward, they sat at the kitchen table with coffee and split a bakery muffin they had bought on impulse.

“We forgot paper towels,” Elena said.

Marcus looked at the nearly empty roll by the sink and laughed. “Next Saturday.”

She added them to a fresh list and placed it under a magnet on the refrigerator.


On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the garage flattening cardboard boxes for recycling. She stood in the doorway with a grocery list open on her phone.

“We’re out of coffee,” she said. “And almost out of everything else.”

Marcus slid the boxes into the blue bin. “Then coffee goes first.”

They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish their errands in one loop. Elena drove while Marcus reviewed the list: produce, chicken, rice, detergent, cat food, and the coffee neither of them wanted to face Monday without.

Their first stop was the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister. While he waited at the counter, Elena bought a sheet of stamps and checked their post office box. Next, they drove to the pharmacy. Elena picked up a prescription, and Marcus grabbed toothpaste after remembering he had squeezed the tube nearly flat that morning.

At the supermarket, they divided the work without discussing it. Elena chose tomatoes and avocados while Marcus compared prices on chicken. They met near the dairy case, where he held up two cartons of eggs.

“Large or extra large?”

“Whichever one isn’t cracked,” she said.

They laughed, then continued down the aisles. Marcus remembered the cat food; Elena remembered trash bags, which had never made it onto the list. At checkout, they used coupons from the store app and packed the groceries together, keeping the frozen items in one bag.

On the way home, they stopped at the gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield and bought them each a coffee.

Back at the house, they carried everything inside in two trips. Elena put away the cold food, and Marcus stacked cans in the pantry. Their cat circled his ankles until he opened a fresh bag of food.

By noon, the errands were done. They sat at the kitchen table with their coffees, pleased by the ordinary satisfaction of having handled the week together.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re out of eggs,” he said, lifting the empty carton.

“And almost out of milk,” Elena replied. She added both items beneath coffee, rice, and tomatoes. They had lived in their small Ohio house for six years, long enough to know that if they didn’t make a list, they would come home with snacks and forget dinner.

Marcus grabbed the reusable bags from the hall closet, and Elena found the library books waiting by the front door. Their first stop was the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister in Arizona. While he waited in line, Elena bought stamps from the machine.

Next, they drove to the library. Elena returned two mystery novels, and Marcus picked up a gardening book he had reserved. Outside, they paused to check the list on Elena’s phone.

“Pharmacy, hardware store, groceries,” she said.

At the pharmacy, Marcus collected a prescription while Elena browsed the greeting cards and found one for their neighbor’s retirement. The hardware store took longer. They needed a new furnace filter, but neither remembered the size. Marcus searched through a photo on his phone until Elena spotted the label in the corner.

Their final stop was the supermarket. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena crossed off items. He chose apples and inspected a bag of potatoes; she compared prices on laundry detergent and selected chicken for Sunday dinner. They disagreed briefly over cereal, then bought both kinds.

At checkout, Marcus realized they had forgotten coffee. Elena held their place while he hurried back for it.

By early afternoon, they were home. Marcus carried in the heavier bags, and Elena put away the cold food. When everything was stored, they made sandwiches and sat at the kitchen table.

“Not a very exciting day,” Marcus said.

Elena glanced at the completed list. “No, but we remembered everything.”

They both considered that a successful Saturday.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And eggs.”

Elena added both to the list. They had lived in their small Ohio house for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster when they planned the route. Marcus gathered the library books due that weekend, and Elena found the receipt for a sweater she needed to return.

They left just after ten. Elena drove while Marcus reviewed the list, sorting it by store section. Their first stop was the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister in Arizona. While he waited in line, Elena bought stamps from the machine in the lobby.

Next, they crossed town to the shopping center. Elena returned the sweater, and Marcus used the refund to help choose a sturdier rain jacket for her. She tried on two before they agreed on the navy one.

At the pharmacy, Marcus picked up a prescription while Elena browsed the household aisle and remembered they needed batteries for the smoke detector. Then they stopped at the library. Marcus returned the books, and Elena collected a mystery novel she had placed on hold.

The grocery store was busiest. Marcus pushed the cart and chose produce while Elena compared prices on canned tomatoes and pasta. They debated whether to buy ice cream, then compromised on a small carton of chocolate chip.

At checkout, Elena noticed they had forgotten coffee. Marcus jogged back to get it while she unloaded the cart.

By the time they reached home, light rain had begun. They carried the bags inside together, each taking two trips. Marcus changed the smoke-detector battery while Elena put away the groceries. Then he made sandwiches, and she brewed fresh coffee.

They ate at the kitchen table, satisfied that the errands were finished and the rest of the afternoon was theirs.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter checking the grocery list while her husband, Marcus, searched the hall closet for reusable bags. They had been married for six years and shared a small brick house outside Columbus, Ohio, where weekend errands had settled into a familiar rhythm.

“We’re out of coffee,” Marcus called.

“It’s already underlined,” Elena said, holding up the list.

They drove to the supermarket first. Elena steered the cart while Marcus compared prices on canned tomatoes. In the produce section, they debated whether they would actually use a large bag of spinach before it spoiled. They chose the smaller one.

At the deli counter, Marcus ordered turkey for his lunches, and Elena went to find yogurt and eggs. They met again near the frozen foods, where Marcus had added ice cream to the cart.

“That wasn’t on the list,” she said.

“It’s on my internal list.”

Elena laughed and let it stay.

After loading the groceries into the trunk, they crossed the parking lot to the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription while Elena bought toothpaste and batteries for the smoke detector. Their next stop was the post office, where Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. Marcus held the door for an older man carrying two boxes, then bought a sheet of stamps.

Before heading home, they stopped at a gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield with the squeegee. A light drizzle began, dotting his jacket and turning the pavement dark.

Back at the house, they carried the bags inside together. Marcus put away the pantry items, and Elena arranged the vegetables in the refrigerator. When everything was stored, she replaced the smoke detector batteries while he started coffee.

They sat at the kitchen table with warm mugs and shared a few spoonfuls of the ice cream before lunch. Outside, the rain grew steadier, and neither of them minded.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter, comparing the grocery list with the contents of the refrigerator. Her husband, Marcus, checked the pantry and called out what they were missing.

“Rice, definitely,” he said. “And coffee.”

Elena added both to the list. They lived in a modest townhouse outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish everything in one trip if traffic cooperated.

Marcus drove while Elena reviewed their errands: return a library book, pick up a prescription, buy groceries, and stop at the hardware store for furnace filters. At the library’s drive-up box, Marcus handed Elena the book, and she leaned across to drop it through the slot.

Next, they went to the pharmacy. While Elena waited in line for her prescription, Marcus browsed the greeting cards and found one for his mother’s upcoming birthday. Elena approved his choice, though she suggested he add a handwritten note when they got home.

At the hardware store, they stood in front of a wall of nearly identical filters. Marcus checked the photo he had taken of the old one, while Elena matched the dimensions printed on the package. Together, they found the right size and bought a two-pack.

The grocery store was crowded. Elena pushed the cart and gathered produce while Marcus compared prices on canned tomatoes and pasta. They divided the list without separating for long, meeting again near the dairy case. Marcus remembered the coffee, and Elena remembered that they needed dish soap, which neither had written down.

At checkout, they packed the bags together, placing the eggs and bread on top. By the time they reached home, light rain had begun. They carried everything inside in two trips, then put the groceries away side by side.

Marcus replaced the furnace filter while Elena started lunch. When he returned to the kitchen, she handed him a pen and the birthday card.

“You remembered,” he said.

“I usually do,” she replied, smiling as she set two bowls of soup on the table.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter comparing the grocery list with the nearly empty refrigerator. Her husband, Marcus, rinsed their coffee mugs and added dish soap to the list.

“We’re almost out,” he said, holding up the bottle.

They left their townhouse just after ten, carrying reusable bags to the car. Elena drove while Marcus checked the errands they had saved on his phone: groceries, the pharmacy, the post office, and a quick stop at the hardware store for furnace filters.

At the pharmacy, Elena picked up a prescription while Marcus wandered to the next aisle and found the sunscreen they needed for an upcoming trip. Then they drove to the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister. Elena bought a book of stamps and waited near the counter, reading the community notices pinned to the wall.

The hardware store was busier than expected. They spent several minutes debating filter sizes before Elena pulled up a photo she had taken of the old one. Marcus found the correct package, along with a replacement bulb for the porch light.

Their last stop was the supermarket. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena crossed items off the list. They divided the work without discussing it: he chose produce and compared prices on coffee, while she picked up chicken, rice, and ingredients for soup. In the frozen-food aisle, Marcus suggested pizza for dinner. Elena agreed and added a bagged salad.

By the time they reached the checkout, the cart was fuller than planned but still within their weekly budget. Marcus loaded the bags into the trunk, and Elena returned the cart.

Back home, they carried everything inside in two trips. Elena put away the refrigerated food while Marcus sorted the pantry items and changed the porch bulb. When they finished, they heated the pizza, made the salad, and sat at the kitchen table, satisfied that the ordinary work of the weekend was done.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter, checking the refrigerator while her husband, Marcus, read items from a grocery list on his phone.

“Eggs, spinach, coffee,” he said.

“And dish soap,” Elena added, holding up the nearly empty bottle. “The kind that doesn’t smell like artificial lemons.”

They left their townhouse outside Columbus just before ten. Marcus drove, while Elena reviewed the errands they had postponed all week. First, they stopped at the post office, where she mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona. Marcus waited beside her, filling out a change-of-address card for a former tenant whose mail still arrived at their house.

Next came the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena wandered to the seasonal aisle for batteries. They compared prices, agreed the larger pack was cheaper in the long run, and added it to their basket along with toothpaste.

At the supermarket, they divided the list without separating. Marcus chose produce while Elena checked expiration dates on yogurt and milk. He held up two avocados.

“Tonight or Tuesday?” he asked.

“Tuesday,” she said, pointing to the firmer one.

They debated whether they needed another bag of rice, then texted their neighbor, who had borrowed some the week before. The neighbor replied that she would return it that afternoon, so they skipped it. At the checkout, Elena unloaded the cart while Marcus arranged the bags so the bread and eggs stayed on top.

Their last stop was the gas station. As Marcus filled the tank, Elena cleaned fast-food receipts from the center console and carried them to the trash.

Back home, they brought everything inside in two trips. Marcus put away the pantry items, and Elena organized the refrigerator. When they finished, she made coffee from the new bag, and they sat at the kitchen table, pleased that the ordinary work of the weekend was already done.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter checking the refrigerator while her husband, Marcus, added the last of the coffee to two travel mugs. They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish their errands before lunch if traffic cooperated.

“We need eggs, spinach, and something for dinner,” Elena said, closing the refrigerator.

Marcus picked up the grocery list. “And lightbulbs. The one over the back steps finally went out.”

They left together in their aging blue sedan, with Elena driving and Marcus reading the list at red lights. Their first stop was the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister. While he waited in line, Elena bought a book of stamps from the self-service kiosk.

Next, they drove to the pharmacy. Elena picked up a prescription, and Marcus found the toothpaste they both used on sale. He grabbed two tubes, then returned one after Elena reminded him that they still had an unopened box at home.

At the supermarket, they divided the list without separating completely. Marcus chose produce while Elena compared prices on chicken. He held up two bags of apples for her opinion, and she pointed to the smaller one.

“We always think we’ll eat more than we do,” she said.

They met again near the dairy case, where Marcus remembered the eggs and Elena remembered they needed milk. At checkout, they packed the reusable bags together, keeping the bread and tomatoes away from the heavier cans.

Their final stop was the hardware store. Elena found the correct outdoor bulb by checking a photo she had taken of the old one, while Marcus picked up furnace filters.

By the time they returned home, a light rain had started. They carried the groceries inside in two trips, then put everything away. Marcus replaced the bulb over the back steps while Elena started soup for lunch. When he came in, damp at the shoulders, she handed him a towel and moved his coffee mug closer to the stove to warm it.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And we need eggs.”

Elena added both to the list, along with rice, tomatoes, coffee, and chicken. They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish their errands in one loop. Before leaving, Marcus gathered two library books from the coffee table, and Elena tucked a package that needed returning under her arm.

They drove first to the post office. While Elena waited in line to mail the package, Marcus bought a sheet of stamps from the self-service kiosk. From there, they stopped at the library. Marcus returned the books through the slot, and Elena went inside to pick up a mystery novel she had reserved.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. Elena collected a prescription, while Marcus compared prices on allergy medicine. He found a store-brand box on sale and added it to their basket, along with toothpaste they had nearly forgotten.

At the supermarket, Marcus pushed the cart while Elena read from the list. They moved through produce, debating whether they would actually use an entire bag of avocados before they spoiled. They settled on two loose ones. Marcus chose chicken thighs for Sunday dinner, and Elena found a discounted package of coffee.

At checkout, they realized they had forgotten dish soap. Marcus hurried back for it while Elena unloaded the cart and arranged the coupons on her phone. By the time he returned, the cashier was ready for them.

On the drive home, they stopped at a gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield with the squeegee.

Back at the house, they carried the bags inside together. Marcus put away the cold items, and Elena organized the pantry. It had taken most of the morning, but with everything finished, they made sandwiches and ate them at the kitchen table, pleased to have the rest of Saturday free.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter, checking the refrigerator while her husband, Mark, read items from a grocery app.

“Milk, eggs, spinach,” he said.

“And coffee,” Elena added, holding up the nearly empty bag. “Unless you want to face Monday without it.”

Mark tapped the screen with exaggerated urgency. They grabbed reusable bags from the hall closet and drove their dusty blue sedan toward the shopping center. Elena drove while Mark reviewed their errands: groceries, the pharmacy, a package return, and a stop at the bank’s ATM.

Their first stop was the post office. Mark carried the box while Elena pulled up the return code on her phone. The line moved quickly, and within ten minutes they were back outside. At the pharmacy, Elena picked up a prescription while Mark wandered to the next aisle for toothpaste and came back with toothpaste, bandages, and a bag of caramel popcorn.

“That wasn’t on the list,” she said.

“It’s for emergencies,” he replied.

At the grocery store, they divided the work without discussing it. Elena chose produce and compared prices on chicken, while Mark collected cereal, pasta, and canned tomatoes. They met near the dairy case, where Mark had accidentally picked up oat milk instead of regular milk.

“You’re the one who drinks it,” Elena reminded him.

He looked at the carton. “Right. This explains why it seemed expensive.”

They laughed, exchanged it, and continued to the checkout. Mark loaded the conveyor belt while Elena scanned their loyalty card and organized the bags so the bread stayed on top.

On the way home, they stopped at the ATM and then drove through a car wash, watching gray water slide down the windows in thick sheets.

Back at the house, Mark carried in the heavier bags while Elena unlocked the door and cleared space on the counter. Together they put everything away. When Elena found the caramel popcorn, she opened it and handed him a handful.

“For emergencies,” she said.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And we need eggs.”

Elena added both to the list, then reminded him they also had to stop at the pharmacy and the post office. Their house in a quiet Ohio suburb was only ten minutes from the shopping center, but weekend traffic could make every errand take twice as long.

Marcus drove while Elena reviewed the list. At the post office, he carried in two packages they needed to return, and she bought a roll of stamps. Next, they stopped at the pharmacy, where Elena picked up a prescription while Marcus compared prices on allergy medicine.

The grocery store was crowded. Marcus pushed the cart, and Elena checked items off her phone. In the produce section, he chose apples and rejected a bag of bruised onions. She found ripe avocados and picked up cilantro for tacos. They debated whether they needed coffee, then agreed to buy it because it was on sale.

Halfway through the store, Elena remembered they were supposed to bring dessert to her sister’s house the next day. Marcus suggested a bakery pie, but Elena preferred ice cream. They compromised by buying both.

At checkout, Marcus unloaded the cart while Elena arranged the reusable bags. The total was higher than they expected, so they studied the receipt before leaving. A coupon had not been applied, and Elena went to customer service while Marcus loaded the groceries into the trunk. She returned with four dollars and a satisfied smile.

On the drive home, they stopped at a gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield. By early afternoon, they were back in their driveway.

Inside, they put everything away together. Marcus started lunch with the new loaf of bread, and Elena opened the mail they had collected on their way in. The errands had taken nearly three hours, but the rest of the weekend was theirs.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And we need something for dinner.”

Elena added both items to the list. They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish their errands in one loop. Before leaving, Marcus gathered the library books from the coffee table, and Elena put a package that needed returning into the trunk.

Their first stop was the post office. While Elena waited in line to mail the package, Marcus bought a sheet of stamps from the self-service kiosk. From there, they drove to the library. Marcus returned the books, and Elena picked up a mystery novel she had reserved earlier in the week.

At the pharmacy, Elena collected a prescription while Marcus looked for batteries for the smoke detector. He found the right size and also grabbed a birthday card for his sister. They met near the register, compared what they had, and decided they were finally ready for the grocery store.

Inside the supermarket, Marcus pushed the cart while Elena read from the list. They chose chicken, rice, spinach, yogurt, and enough fruit for the week. Marcus suggested tacos for Sunday, so Elena went back for tortillas while he picked out tomatoes and an avocado. In the cereal aisle, they debated two brands, then bought whichever one was on sale.

By the time they reached the checkout, the cart held a few extras but nothing unreasonable. Marcus loaded the bags into the car, and Elena returned the cart to the corral.

Back home, they carried everything inside together. Elena put away the refrigerated food while Marcus replaced the smoke-detector batteries. Then he started coffee, and she opened her new library book at the kitchen table.

Their errands had taken most of the morning, but the house felt stocked and settled again.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We need milk,” he said, lifting the nearly empty carton.

“And coffee,” Elena added. “Unless you want to face Monday without it.”

They left their townhouse outside Columbus just before ten. Marcus drove while Elena reviewed the errands on her phone: groceries, the pharmacy, the post office, and a stop at the hardware store for a replacement furnace filter.

At the post office, Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona while Marcus bought stamps. Next, they stopped at the pharmacy. Marcus picked up a prescription, and Elena found the allergy tablets they both used every spring. She also grabbed a bottle of sunscreen from a clearance bin.

“It’ll expire before we remember to use it,” Marcus said.

“Not if we actually take that lake trip,” she replied, dropping it into the basket.

The hardware store was crowded, but Marcus found the correct filter size after checking a photo Elena had taken of the old one. She compared prices and pointed out a two-pack that cost only a few dollars more.

Their final stop was the supermarket. They divided the list without formally discussing it. Elena chose produce and pantry items while Marcus went for dairy, bread, and chicken. They met near the frozen foods, where Marcus had added ice cream to the cart.

“That wasn’t on the list,” Elena said.

“Neither was sunscreen.”

She considered this, then nodded. “Fair.”

At checkout, they packed the reusable bags together, putting the eggs and bread on top. Back home, Marcus carried in the heavier bags while Elena made two trips for the lighter ones. They put everything away, replaced the furnace filter, and set the pharmacy receipt aside for their insurance records.

By noon, the errands were finished. Elena started sandwiches while Marcus made coffee from the new bag. Their Saturday had been ordinary, but the house felt settled again, stocked with what they needed for the week ahead.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re out of milk,” he said, lifting the empty carton.

“It’s already on here,” Elena replied. “Can you see if we still have eggs?”

They lived in a small brick house outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish most errands in one loop. Before leaving, Marcus gathered the library books from the coffee table, and Elena found the utility bill they needed to drop at the post office.

Marcus drove while Elena reviewed the list. Their first stop was the library, where she returned two novels and he picked up a reserved book about backyard gardening. At the post office, Marcus bought stamps while Elena slipped the bill into the outgoing mail slot.

Next, they stopped at a pharmacy. Elena waited for a prescription while Marcus wandered to the household aisle and found the batteries they needed for the smoke detector. He held up two packages when she joined him.

“Eight or sixteen?” he asked.

“Eight. If we buy sixteen, we’ll lose them before we use them.”

At the supermarket, they divided the list without separating completely. Marcus chose produce while Elena compared prices on pasta and canned tomatoes. They met near the dairy case, where Marcus had added strawberries to the cart.

“They looked good,” he said.

Elena nodded and added whipped cream.

At checkout, Marcus loaded the conveyor belt while Elena organized the reusable bags. They both carried groceries to the car, then stopped at a gas station on the way home. Elena cleaned the windshield as Marcus filled the tank.

Back at the house, they put everything away together. Marcus replaced the smoke-detector batteries, and Elena started soup for lunch. When the detector gave a successful chirp, he returned to the kitchen.

“All done,” he said.

Elena handed him a cutting board and the strawberries. “Good. Now you can help with dessert.”


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And we need eggs.”

Elena added both items beneath coffee, rice, and tomatoes. They lived in a modest townhouse outside Columbus, Ohio, close enough to several stores that they could finish most errands in one loop. Before leaving, Marcus gathered the library books from the coffee table, and Elena tucked a package that needed returning under her arm.

They drove first to the post office. While Elena waited at the counter to mail the package, Marcus bought a sheet of stamps from the self-service kiosk. Next, they stopped at the library. Marcus returned the books through the slot, and Elena went inside to pick up a mystery novel she had reserved.

At the pharmacy, they divided the tasks without discussing it. Elena collected a prescription while Marcus found toothpaste and a new bottle of dish soap. They met near the register, compared what they had, and remembered they also needed batteries for the smoke detector.

Their final stop was the grocery store. Marcus pushed the cart while Elena read from the list. In produce, he chose apples and checked the tomatoes for soft spots. She picked out onions, spinach, and a bunch of bananas. They debated whether to buy chicken or salmon for dinner, eventually choosing chicken because it was on sale.

At checkout, Elena loaded the conveyor belt while Marcus bagged the groceries. Back at the townhouse, they carried everything in together, each taking two trips from the car.

Marcus replaced the smoke-detector batteries while Elena put away the cold food. Then he started rice, and she seasoned the chicken. By early afternoon, the errands were finished, dinner was partly prepared, and the house felt settled again. They sat at the kitchen table with fresh coffee, pleased to have the rest of the weekend free.


On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the laundry room, matching socks from a warm pile on top of the dryer.

“We’re out of coffee,” she said, holding up the empty canister.

Marcus checked the grocery list taped to the cabinet. “Coffee’s on here. So are eggs, rice, and whatever ‘good tomatoes’ means.”

“It means not the pale ones you bought last time.”

They left their townhouse outside Columbus just before ten. Elena drove while Marcus added two stops to the route on his phone: the pharmacy for her prescription and the hardware store for a furnace filter. At a red light, he remembered they also needed stamps, so they agreed to use the post office kiosk inside the supermarket.

The pharmacy was quiet. While Elena waited at the counter, Marcus compared furnace-filter sizes in an email from their landlord. Then they walked next door to the hardware store, where Elena spotted the correct filter before he did. Marcus carried it under one arm and picked up a pack of batteries for the smoke detector.

At the supermarket, they divided the list without formally saying so. Elena chose produce and bread while Marcus went for dairy and pantry items. They met near the coffee aisle, where he held up two bags.

“The usual or the one on sale?”

Elena checked the price per ounce. “The usual. The sale isn’t actually better.”

They debated dinner, settled on chicken tacos, and added cilantro, tortillas, and limes. Marcus found tomatoes that passed Elena’s inspection. At the self-checkout, she scanned while he bagged, keeping the eggs and bread on top. Before leaving, they bought stamps from the kiosk and mailed a birthday card to Marcus’s mother.

Back home, Marcus carried in the groceries and the furnace filter. Elena put away the cold items, then started coffee even though it was nearly noon. He replaced the filter while she sorted the mail.

When he returned to the kitchen, she handed him a mug.

“Productive morning,” he said.

“And the tomatoes are good.”

Marcus looked at the bowl on the counter. “That’s the real victory.”


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And the spinach is definitely done.”

Elena added both items to the list. They had lived in their Ohio townhouse for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster if they planned the route. Marcus gathered two reusable bags from the hall closet while Elena grabbed a library book that was due Monday.

They drove first to the post office, where Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister in Arizona. Elena waited near the counter and checked the grocery store app for coupons. Afterward, they stopped at the library. Elena returned her novel, and Marcus picked up a mystery he had reserved.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. While Elena collected a prescription, Marcus walked to the hardware aisle and found the correct size of batteries for the smoke detector upstairs. They met by the register, compared what they had accomplished, and decided they were making good time.

At the supermarket, Marcus pushed the cart while Elena read from the list. He chose tomatoes and avocados, checking each one carefully, and she selected chicken, rice, and yogurt. When Marcus suggested frozen pizza, Elena reminded him that they already had two in the freezer.

“One,” he said. “I ate the other on Wednesday.”

She laughed and added another to the cart.

They finished with milk, coffee, and a bunch of slightly wilted but discounted flowers. Marcus paid while Elena bagged the groceries, placing the eggs on top.

Back home, they carried everything inside together. Elena put away the refrigerated items as Marcus replaced the smoke detector batteries. Then he filled a vase with water for the flowers.

By early afternoon, the errands were done. They made sandwiches, sat at the small kitchen table, and agreed that the rest of the day belonged to them.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter making a grocery list while her husband, Marcus, checked the refrigerator.

“We’re almost out of milk,” he said, lifting the carton. “And we need eggs.”

Elena added both to the list, along with rice, tomatoes, coffee, and chicken. They had lived in their small Ohio house for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster if they planned the route. Marcus suggested starting at the bank, then stopping at the pharmacy before going to the supermarket.

They left just after ten. Elena drove while Marcus navigated around road construction near downtown. At the bank’s drive-through, he deposited two checks while she sorted through the coupons in her purse. Their next stop was the pharmacy, where Elena picked up a prescription and Marcus bought toothpaste and a birthday card for his sister.

At the grocery store, they divided the list. Elena headed toward produce while Marcus went to the dairy section. They met near the meat counter, where he held up two packages of chicken thighs.

“This one’s cheaper per pound,” he said.

“But that’s more than we’ll use,” Elena replied. They agreed to buy the larger package and freeze half.

At checkout, Marcus loaded the conveyor belt while Elena scanned the store’s rewards app. They saved eight dollars, which pleased them both more than either wanted to admit.

Before heading home, they stopped at the gas station. Marcus filled the tank, and Elena went inside for ice. By then, light rain had begun to fall.

Back at the house, they carried the bags in together. Marcus put away the frozen food while Elena arranged the vegetables in the refrigerator. She found the birthday card on the counter and reminded him to mail it Monday.

“I’ll stamp it now,” he said.

With the errands finished, they made sandwiches, sat at the kitchen table, and listened to the rain tapping against the windows.


On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the garage flattening cardboard boxes for recycling. She stood in the doorway with a grocery list on her phone and reminded him that they also needed to return a library book, pick up his prescription, and mail a birthday package to her sister.

Marcus glanced at the clock. “If we leave now, we can beat the lunch crowd.”

They loaded the recycling into the trunk of their sedan and drove through their Ohio suburb. At the library, Elena dropped the book into the return slot while Marcus carried the cardboard to the recycling bins behind the municipal building. Back in the car, they debated whether they had enough coffee at home. Elena checked the list and added a bag anyway.

Their next stop was the pharmacy. Marcus went inside for his prescription while Elena walked two doors down to the post office counter in a shipping store. The line moved slowly, but by the time she had mailed the package, Marcus was waiting outside with the small paper bag tucked under his arm.

At the supermarket, they divided the list. Marcus chose produce and compared prices on chicken, while Elena picked up rice, yogurt, and cleaning supplies. They met near the frozen foods, where Marcus had added ice cream to the cart.

“That wasn’t on the list,” Elena said.

“It’s been a productive morning,” he replied.

She considered this and placed a box of waffle cones beside it.

At checkout, they realized they had forgotten dish soap. Elena stayed with the cart while Marcus hurried back for it. Then they packed the groceries into reusable bags and loaded the trunk.

On the drive home, they stopped at a gas station. Elena filled the tank while Marcus cleaned the windshield and checked the tire pressure. By noon, they were back in their driveway, carrying bags into the kitchen together. Marcus put away the cold items, Elena sorted the pantry goods, and they agreed that lunch could wait until after one small bowl of ice cream.


On Saturday morning, Elena stood at the kitchen counter checking the refrigerator while her husband, Marcus, added items to a grocery list on his phone. They lived in a small house outside Columbus, Ohio, and had fallen into an easy weekend routine.

“We need milk,” Elena said, lifting the nearly empty carton.

“And coffee,” Marcus replied. “Definitely coffee.”

They left just before ten, carrying reusable bags to the car. Marcus drove while Elena reviewed their errands: the supermarket, the pharmacy, the post office, and the hardware store for a replacement furnace filter.

At the post office, Elena mailed a birthday package to her sister in Arizona while Marcus bought stamps. Their next stop was the pharmacy, where he picked up a prescription and she browsed the greeting cards, eventually choosing one for a coworker who was retiring.

The hardware store took longer than expected. Marcus couldn’t remember the filter size, but Elena found a photo she had taken of the old one. They located the correct package, then added a box of lightbulbs after remembering the dim fixture in the hallway.

At the supermarket, they divided the list. Elena selected vegetables, bread, and chicken while Marcus found cereal, yogurt, and cleaning supplies. They met near the frozen foods, where Marcus held up two pizzas.

“One for tonight?” he asked.

Elena nodded. “Only if we get the thin crust.”

At checkout, they realized they had forgotten coffee. Elena stayed with the cart while Marcus hurried back to the aisle and returned with their usual brand.

By early afternoon, they were home. Marcus carried in the heavier bags, and Elena put away the cold items. Together they sorted the rest, set the furnace filter by the basement door, and placed the retirement card on the table so Elena wouldn’t forget it on Monday.

With the errands finished, they made sandwiches and ate by the window. Outside, a light rain had started, and both were glad they had gone out early.


On Saturday morning, Elena found Marcus in the kitchen comparing the grocery list to the refrigerator’s nearly empty shelves. They had lived in their Ohio townhouse for six years, long enough to know that errands went faster if they left before the roads filled up.

“We need coffee,” Marcus said, adding it to the list.

“And cat litter,” Elena reminded him. Their cat, Pepper, watched from the hallway as if personally concerned.

They drove first to the bank, where Elena deposited a check while Marcus waited in the car and cleared old receipts from the cup holder. Next, they stopped at the post office. Marcus mailed a birthday package to his sister in Arizona, and Elena bought a book of stamps.

At the supermarket, they divided the list without separating. Elena chose vegetables while Marcus pushed the cart and checked prices on pasta sauce. They discussed whether they would actually cook the bunch of kale Elena picked up.

“We will if you wash it,” she said.

“We will if you don’t forget it’s in the drawer,” he replied.

They bought the kale anyway, along with chicken, rice, cereal, coffee, and the cat litter. Marcus remembered toothpaste just before checkout, and Elena went back for it while he unloaded the cart onto the conveyor belt.

Their last stop was the hardware store for a replacement air filter and two lightbulbs for the upstairs bathroom. Elena found the correct filter size in a note on her phone. Marcus tested several display bulbs before choosing warm white ones.

By the time they returned home, light rain had begun. They carried the bags inside together, each trying to make one fewer trip than necessary. Elena put away the refrigerated food while Marcus changed the air filter. Then they met in the kitchen, where Pepper was already investigating the grocery bags.

Marcus started a pot of coffee, and Elena set two sandwiches on plates. The errands had taken most of the morning, but everything was done. They ate by the window, listening to the rain and deciding that the kale could wait until Sunday.