If the TV show “Candid Camera” planned this scene, I doubt they could have done better than what actually happened.

One afternoon my mission in Bashas’ was to purchase some Greek yogurt. The curse of taking a shopping cart is impulse shopping. Seven full grocery bags at checkout filled the top basket. I secured my cart to the rear bumper of my car while I tossed my purse into the front seat and popped the trunk. Uh-oh!

When I turned to unload the groceries, my shopping cart was headed across the parking lot at an angle to the left, aimed directly at a shiny blue pick-up truck. I did my quickest power walk (to avoid a fall) and thought I’d have to leave a note for the owner that I accept responsibility for any damage.

No collision happened. The cart had a smooth journey, taking a slight right angle, missing the vehicle, barely…a few inches. Oh! No! It turned gently to the left and began picking up speed on the incline toward La Montana.

I tried to signal two cars heading out to Palisades Blvd. of the imminent danger. Suddenly, a young woman in shorts and sandals dashed ahead of me saying something like “I’ll get it.” The cars heading toward Palisades did not slow down. Her name is Linda. Linda and I watched in awe as this cart segwayed between the two vehicles, timed perfectly, and came to rest at the opposite curb.

Groceries were intact. No vehicle was damaged. No cart damage. No injuries to the two individuals involved. Linda appeared to be amused. She had to be an angel because she was the only one in the empty lot. We shared a story about close calls and hugged. It was the first time I experienced a runaway shopping cart. But I made a new friend. Thank you, “Angel” Linda. And my husband and I did have Bashas’ soup and salad for supper.