INSIDE THE MALL

Christopher

I was okay with parking lots

and sidewalks, and sticking flyers

under windshield wipers,

and marching in a circle

round and round

outside the entrance.

But going inside was another story,

especially when my aunt

stepped out of The Gap

with my cousin’s present

looped over her arm.

She started to walk toward me

but I turned away and froze,

hoping she’d get the message

and stay away. Then

I had to watch Annabelle

run up to her and shove

a flyer inside the blue bag.

I wondered: would my aunt

wrap it up with the present?