THE SHOTS

By MARY WATSON

I was 5 years old, living in a little house on 47^th street. Today was the day I had to get my shots, my kindergarten shots. I was so scared that my mom had to drag me into the car, and took me over there to the doctor’s office. My doctor lived in Rancho Bernardo, so it was a long journey. I got there around four o’clock. I saw the building and my heart started pumping when I got out of the car.

As we walk inside in elevator I pushed the seven button to go to the children’s room. As soon as I walked in I smelled a smell of fear. Kids screaming, feet stomping, parents crying, doctors comforting, nurses measuring medicine, and me——eyes watering, trying to suck it up.

"Mary Watson?" the nurse says. When I walk in my heart is pumping as fast as humming-bird’s wings in motion. It was hurting my chest.

I saw the first needle. I started screaming and I wouldn’t stop until they were done. The pain was so bad I couldn’t think, but just screamed. I felt numb, but I could feel the shot. I would daydream, but still scream. I was thinking of how much my mom could hear after this. It really hurt.

"Okay, 1 done 4 more to go!" The nurse screamed trying to talk over my screaming.

"1…2…3…and…4," my mom counted.

"Yes!" It was all done!

After we went out of the nurse’s room, I smelled a delightful smell. I heard kids laughing, feet tapping, parents talking, doctors playing, nurses smiling, and me——well I was so happy it was over with. I pushed the 1 button to go to the first floor.

Mom and I went to Baskin Robbins afterwards. I got in the car. I felt so much better. I saw the Baskin Robbins sign. I knew what I wanted right then. I wanted three scoops! 1 chocolate, 1 mint chocolate, and 1 peanut butter chocolate. I told my mom what I wanted, and guess what she said,

"WHAT?!"