This box of Dots
"good choice"
the cashier said
after he'd explained
his black eye

It was a beauty
waltzed right
into his epidurmis 
via a tumble 
down the stairs

He set the candy box 
aside, pointed his scanner
at one of two books
without comment
reading 1.99

My second choice 
no sticker
"This a children's book?"
he asked
"Say yes," 
he instructed me
placing Billy Collins
back down 
on the counter

Days later I thought
he hadn't been 
too far from 
the truth.