A Mother Goes Out Of Her Way To Get In The Way

(I’m about seven years old, shopping with my mom at the grocery store. My mother had stopped to look at something, and I am looking at a display in the center of the aisle. Out of nowhere, a very large old customer nearly rams her cart in to me.)

Old Customer: “You better move out of my way, ’cause I ain’t movin’ for you.”

Me: *terrified* “I’m sorry!”

(I quickly run to my mom.)

Me: “Mommy, I didn’t mean to! I moved as quickly as I could.”

Mom: “You didn’t do anything wrong, but next time someone acts like that; don’t move. You tell them to ask politely.”

Me: “Yes, ma’am.”

(We finish our shopping, and then my mother takes off nearly in a run. She comes to a stop in front of a shopping cart. I see the rude customer.)

Mom: “You better move out of my way, ’cause I ain’t movin’ for you.”

Old Customer: “Excuse me?”

Mom: “You heard me! How dare you act like that in public! How does it make you feel to talk to a seven-year-old that way?”

Old Customer: “But he—”

Mom: “If I ever see you treat my son like that again, you will have to answer to me. I bet you’re probably old and alone, if you’re that rude!”

Old Customer: *walks away in a huff*