This box of Dots”good choice”the cashier saidafter he’d explainedhis black eyeIt was a beautywaltzed rightinto his epidurmis via a tumble down the stairsHe set the candy box aside, pointed his scannerat one of two bookswithout commentreading 1.99My second choice no sticker”This a children’s book?”he asked”Say yes,” he instructed meplacing Billy Collinsback down on the counterDays later I thoughthe hadn’t been too far from the truth.