All By Myself

All By Myself (Based on a true story!)

My wife and I drove to Fresno. The mission? Completely forgettable.

The side quest? Legendary.

We stopped at Island Pacific Supermarket, and before I tell you what happened, I have to mention their hot prepared food. If we hadn't eaten beforehand, I'd have ordered one of everything. This wasn't your typical steam-table setup. Everything looked fresh, colorful, and absolutely incredible. Honestly, it's an hour away, and I'd drive back just for dinner.

Then there's the seafood...

Nope. Not getting distracted again.

So there we were near the back of the store where employees kept disappearing through those big black swinging doors.

Suddenly, over the store speakers...

🎵 All By Myself.

Years ago, I made my wife a promise. Whenever I hear that song, I'm singing it to her. Doesn't matter where we are.

She hadn't even noticed it was playing.

Then the chorus hit.

"ALL... BY... MYSELF..."

Guess who joined Céline Dion with absolutely zero shame?

This guy!

I sang it with every ounce of emotion I had.

My wife was mortified.

I was in heaven.

The employees kept walking by, smiling and enjoying the show. Not laughing at me... just enjoying someone who clearly had no intention of acting his age.

When the song ended, so did my concert.

We continued shopping.

A minute later I whispered, "Can I go ask if the manager's around? Maybe he'll play it again."

My wife answered by punching me in the shoulder.

"No!"

We wandered toward the middle of the store. Because everything there was displayed on low tables instead of tall shelves, I could see almost the entire place.

It was the perfect stage.

Then, against all odds...

The song came on again.

Right at the chorus.

Well...

A promise is a promise.

Once again...

"ALL... BY... MYSELF..."

And I sang like it was my farewell concert.

My wife may never recover.

I may have gained a few fans.

And if that second performance happened because some store manager thought, "Let's give this guy one more shot..."

Sir...

May your business be blessed with prosperity until the end of time.