Take Your Child to Work

he said he might do it,
though the day would be
long,
hectic,
but Jen insisted
and Katie
yelped with joy.

so they went in back,
entering
the shop still
dark at seven,
most kids in school,
(those who couldn't go
with dad
or mom).

in the hustle
to leave, Katie
had no breakfast, but Jack
had pastries on ice,
and she loved
cherry croissants.

a few big bites and
a slurp of orange juice
and it was gone.

out the back door they went,
Jack waiting for his coffee
till they got to Krispie Donuts,
kind of on the way
to his first job.

Katie sat next to him,
buckled up,
but her tummy felt bad.
"I think I'm gonna
be sick, Jack," she said,
then threw up on the dash.