when I got outside by the local boys who were sitting on a
brick wall. “Saves waiting in the queue,” he confided.
I left the shop with trepidation—no wait, it was actually fear.
But I buttoned up my coat, took a deep breath, and stood
there looking at the youths. I counted to ten slowly while we
all eyed each other, and then I walked toward them very
purposefully. As I got to them, still counting, they turned
away and I was left alone. God, those fish and chips tasted
wonderful!
ONCE I HAVE COLLECTED
MY WITS AND
CALMED DOWN,
I CAN FIND AN
APPROPRIATE RESPONSE.