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The little one, standing at the end of the line, waiting for getting a cone of ice cream. Searching his pocket, no allowance this week, maybe just use the marbles that he won from other kids to trade one.

"Sorry" she said. "No more extra left this week. How about a free sugar cone for ya? and you can keep those marbles" she smiled. "Better luck next time."

The ice cream lady gave him a brownish sugar cone and tried to cheer the little one up. He smiled, put all the marbles back to his pocket. Quickly, he sat down next to a little bush, away from all the other kids who were enjoying their ice cream. Before he took a bite on his own cone, he stared at the only kid with 2 scoops of ice cream. Afraid being seen staring at the 2-scoop girl, he ran behind the bush and watched. 2 scoops, chocolate chips on top of cookie dough. Hmm... yummy, he thought.

The 2-scoop girl started licking the top scoop. Slowly, expressing joyful smile and satisfaction, didn't even notice the ice cream was dripping onto the dirt. He closed his eyes. Picture those 2 scoops were on top his empty cone, and started licking it. Somehow, he did not taste the sweetness of the cookie dough, neither the crunchiness of the chocolate chips. Instead, he tasted something salty. He opened his eyes. He saw his own tears slowly darken the color of the cone. He wiped his tears off, quickly finished the cone and smiled at the lady when he walked toward home. Maybe next time. Next time. Maybe.

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