Day Dreams

The moppet’s dark brown eyes glowed. She stood in front of the display, fingering the shells and stirring up the papers in the jar; looking at the cases of candy.

The golden afternoon sun moved about half a hand before the child looked up at him. “I’m ready. I have five pennies. If I spend a penny on candy, can I still get a seashell?”

“‘Course you can, Emmelina. Same as always?”

She nodded, pointing out the prettiest shell. “That one, please.”

“Sure. And two for good luck.” Her smile dazzled. It was worth the 25 cents he’d lost on the shells.