The Gas Station

The Gas Station

The front door of a gas station swings open
as a young boy skips in thinking he his golden
and will get the candy bar he desperately craves.
Some may argue his addiction to candy bars makes him a slave,
but he’s young and kind of a pain so his mother usually caves.
Unfortunately for him today she’s in a bad mood and he has a better chance of hearing his name announced as the winner of some prize over the airwaves.

His mother walks in behind him as he reaches for his favorite bar.
She yells at him like he’s reaching for a cigar.
He turns around and whines that she always gets it for him.
She glares at him without saying a word and he knows that his chances today are looking rather grim.

He puts his head down and begins to pout.
His mother looks at him and tells him she doesn’t want to have to shout,
so cut the fake tears and try a different route.
Maybe he will have better luck, though she has her doubts.

As the mother turns back to the cashier to pay for her gas,
the boy, out of the corner of his eye notices an approaching mass.
A strange man smiles at him as he quickly approaches.
He walks with a stride that to the boy seems quite ferocious.
He’s dressed in all black in clothes that look very nice.
He flashes a smile so smooth you believe you could sell you anything at any asking price.
He supports a goatee that he appears to keep well groomed.
Being well off can be assume.

He approaches the boy and greets him with a friendly hello.
The boy is unsure if his kindness is real or just for show,
so he takes a step back closer to his mother.
Right now, he wishes he had his brother.

The man speaks, “I see you really wanted that candy bar but your mom said no.
There’s still a way you can get what you want you know.”

The boy now curious asks the man how,
how can he attain this candy bar right now?

“All you have to do is take it young man,
then hide it in your pocket until you get back in your van.”

“I don’t know mister; my mom says taking things that don’t belong to you is wrong.
The last time I tried she gave me a spanking and it hurt because she’s really strong.”

The strange man tells the boy to look him in the eye.
He does so immediately not wanting to defy.”

“Now that I have your full attention do as I say.
Doing so will be the highlight of your day.
Take the candy bar and hide it in your pocket.
There is no need for it to come out of your mother’s wallet.
Once you are back in the van, take it out and satisfy your hunger.
Now I’m going to leave and won’t bother you any longer.”

The strange man departs as the boy turns and takes the bar,
then walks out of the gas station with him mom trying not to act bizarre.
Once back in the van he takes out the bar and begins to eat.
He smiles happy to have his treat.

His mother looks at him in the mirror and immediately becomes alarmed.
Her cute little boy is losing his charm.

“Where did you get that candy bar Peter, I told you not to take it!
When we get home, you are going to admit
that taking it wasn’t such a smart idea!
You will get a hard spanking then probably sit on the toilet with diarrhea!”

“It’s not my fault mom, the man in the gas station told me to take it.”

“What man in the gas station?
and why would you listen to his narration?”

“He convinced me taking it was the right thing to do.
He seemed smart and assumed it has to be true.”

“How many times have I told you not to talk to strangers!
You could have been in real danger!
And he encouraged you to take the bar?!?!
That is not right Peter and his behavior is suspicious and bizarre!”

“Taking it was the right thing to do, he convinced me it was.
He said I was taking it for a just cause.”

“You will be going to visit Father Longview to confess what you did.
Then you will realize just how bad you have been kid.”

The boy just smiles and continues eating his candy bar.
This has been his favorite moment in life so far.