the unhappy meal

we would circle
the yellow
and red fine fast food
establishment
for another happy meal.
pulling into
the curved drive way
to yell
into the box.
the boy in the back
strapped into his space
seat was
unhappy at the last
happy meal toy.
his face frowned in tears.
that's not what he wanted.
they gave us the wrong
plastic toy.
let's try again,
the wife said. let's
try with another
order of chicken
nuggets,
small fries, and a soda.
we need to make him happy.
an omen of things
to come.