The same road that goes to 100 Oaks Mall
also goes to the doctor’s office — be brave, be brave.
One thing your mother says is that she’ll never lie to you,
say that you’re only going shopping when you’re really going
for your allergy shot (how often — weekly?), and as far as you know,
that’s true. She didn’t. Still, how are you supposed to be brave
when bravery does nothing to protect you, when no amount of
begging makes your mother turn the car around or decide
that today’s a better day for shopping, after all?