Standing by the pay phone — asking passer byers for a dime to call my mom.

Taking that dime and buying a 10 cent cookie. Weeks into summer camp I had it down pack-so much so

that I had enough dimes to buy my own cup cake and skip the 10 cent cookie for that day.

As soon as I crossed the street and my right foot touched the sidewalk — one of the cakes rolled right off of the white cardboard at the bottom of the package- as if you rolled your sibling off of the bed — a slow roll but it happened so fast.

I stood there for a few seconds in disbelief —

What was required here was the proximity rule — not the three second rule

the sole cupcake landed close enough to fresh dog poop —

It was hot that day.

I knew in my heart that I worked really hard — in this hot ass sun for the money to buy that cup cake

heat coming off the side walk

— gum that was dormant in the side walk was now an active annoying menace — sticking to the soles of sneakers or whatever shoe it could catch

So I picked it up

kissed it to God

and ate it…