The Cereal Aisle - so THIS is how it’s gonna be

It smells like dripping cucumbers, like dropped eggs, like Lysol, and money that’s caked with a thick layer of finger grease.

Just get the milk.  And get out.

“The dairy section!  Where are you hiding the dairy section?  Up your fucking ass?”

The produce manager points with one of the cucumbers.  Go Left.

Down the cereal aisle.

Carefully take down a tall box of plain Cheerios to go with my perfect white milk.

“Mama!  Mama, I want this kind!”

Chubby little baby fingers point toward the Frankenberry.  It’s all I can do not to grab those outstretched little pillow hands and put them in my mouth.

I  reach down a box of Count Chocula and hand them to the child.

“Try these, little one.”  Wink.  “Be daring.”

The mother quickly places herself between me and the child.

“Pretty girl,” I tell her, and keep moving.