Man walks into store
Trailed by son
Young, enthusiastic, wide-eyed
Man’s tired
Worked all day
Beard, paint-splattered jeans, leather skin
Turns from counter to tell boy to get some candy, his treat
Turns back to patient cashier
“The usual darling”
Cashier turns around
Marlboro Reds
Southern Comfort
Brown bag
Boy returns to counter
Smiling
Candy cigarettes
Coke
“Will that be all today?”
“Yes, that should do it”
Dollar bills, loose change
Man picks up bag
Boy lunges for his goods
Young, enthusiastic, wide-eyed
Man crawls in car
Boy jumps in car
Car starts
Man packs Reds
Boy looks over
Packs candy box
Man pulls one out
Lights
Boy’s thumb pulls back and up on tab
Looks in
Half broken
Pulls out full one
Excalibur from the stone
Puts in mouth
Rises hand
Flicks thumb
Truck pulls out
Down the road
Monday night