At the end of the day.

The sound of two boys running

echoed loudly through the room

of adults standing in line.

One woman worked the counter.

A mutual impatience filled our lungs.

The boys father told them

to sit down, be quiet.

They did no such thing.

His uniform was as exhausted

as his face. Only empty threats

remained as the children's voices

echoed farther and farther

into the minds of those listening.