“
During my lunch break, I swung by CVS to pick up a few personal items. I stood in line behind a completely frazzled mother. The heathen child in the stroller before her screamed relentlessly, violently flung his legs and sent errant Cheerios a-flying.
The mom - her hair all asunder, her clothing mismatched and stained with juice - tried her best to grasp her to-be-purchased items in one hand while attempting to corral her demon spawn with the other. It was all a real sad scene. Once called to the register, she placed two boxes on the counter - pregnancy tests. (As if it could get any worse.)
With a sigh, she rifled through her purse in search of her CVS card, which is when something in my hand caught her eye. She turned to look at me and realized that I was holding a box of tampons. I saw the switch flip. Tears filled her eyes. She hurled money at the cashier and peaced out.
As I exited, I noticed her standing against the side of the store, her head buried in her hands. The child was kicking her shins, over and over and over. She didn’t stop him, just succumbed to heaving sobs.
So I tapped her on the shoulder and gave her a hug. I let her cry. She probably snotted a little on my arm.
She eventually simmered down and thanked me. I started to walk away, then paused, reached into my bag, opened the box of tampons and pulled one out. I handed it to her and said, “Here - I bet you’ll need this tomorrow.”
She smiled and said, “If I don’t, I’ll just use it to plug my husband’s broken nose after I punch him in the face.”
Well. That works, too.
”—
A Spoonful O’ ISMS: Extendable Plastic Applicatored Olive Branch
Katie has a real flair for urban living.
