When you went in or out of Ross’ Grocery
the bell on the door would slap at the glass
so hard sometimes you thought it would break
and on really cold days
Mr. Ross would come out of the back of the store
say cold enough for ya
and give you a cup of hot cocoa for free
the cocoa always had marshmallows in it
and Ross’ store had a drink machine
with a slot for Yoo-hoos
you put in a quarter and got Chocolate Soldiers
pickle barrel in front and a grill in the back
best fried bologna I ever had
and that little store
with the free hot cocoa and cold Chocolate Soldiers
that store was his life
especially after his wife passed away
and everyone knew Mr. Ross would stay late
said home wasn’t home now that Millie was gone
and a stranger walked in on a warm summer night
the bell on the door slapped at the glass
Mr. Ross came out from the back of the store
said hot enough for ya
and the man broke down when he testified later
shotgun pointed straight at his head
Mr. Ross closed his eyes and he smiled and he waited.