"Bring your mom, too," he saidlamely.
And both kids shutdown.
"She isnotour mom," the boyspat.
He caught a glimpse of pain as it crossed the doctor's expressive face before she masked it. She stepped forward and reached for the boy's shoulder, but he jerked away, stalking off to the endcap of beef jerky. His crossed arms and general body language revealed a big ol’ chip on hisshoulder.
That's what Dan got for sticking his nose into their business. He'd stepped right into a manure pile in their familydynamic.
"I'm sorry," hemuttered.
He turned and approached the checkout counter, interrupting Mrs. Mallory, who'd been his fifth-grade teacher. He plunked a dollar on the counter for his sodapop.
Kept his shaking hand away from the lottotickets.
And got outtathere.
