Draft: Surrounded

The hoard surrounded my vehicle in just moments, trapping my wheels still in the parking lot. I would have run them down had I no humanity. After another moment, my van was shaking, playing the same lullaby on loop. I used to be able to change the music but after a few years of wear, the button became stuck and now the damned thing wouldn’t turn off. I kept my window shut, looking into my freezer to see what I had in stock. I hadn’t expected this playground to be so full of them. Sweat dripped from my forehead as I calculated the ice pops and cones. I had an easy forty-two left. That may have been enough last season, but this time of year was hot. Heat leaving the concrete sizzled my tires. Trees that gave shade, gave nearly nothing. 

Outside of my van, something began to howl. A cry. I grunted, pulling my body through the slim walkway to the passenger window, and I cranked it open slowly.

“What took you so long?” A woman nagged, rocking her crying baby.

“I was counting, lady, whaddya want?” 

Her eyes were slit and frowning. Each kid who was once prying at my doors and the vinyl ice cream menu now stood politely in a line behind the woman. Their parents followed up to the truck to settle their children down. I took in cash and gave out the goods. Today, every child found themselves with a SpongeBob ice cream, with the blue gum-balled eyes and disfigured teeth, they were served Spider-Man and rainbow pops and one kid got a nutty cone. 

After the laughter faded out and the children returned to their melting playground, I kicked my truck into gear and drove away. Every stop made me hate my job more, and not even the smiles could save my day.