The Bench: Patti Gets the Sense Knocked Out of Her

"Patti, come back to the table with me. And don't run off like that again," a young girl said, pulling the woman away with her. She turned towards Mark momentarily and said "Sorry about this, miss." Miss? Mark thought. Patti looked over at the stranger, then back at Victoria. "Sorry, Mom," she said, confused. "Finish your meal and behave," her mother said, sternly. Patti fidgeted in her chair. She suddenly felt full of nervous energy, playing with her hair. "I'm not hungry," she said. "Then you aren't getting dessert. And we are going straight home, without visiting the toy store."