The bell over the door tinkles as we enter Grandma’s convenience store. My two brothers and four sisters pile in with me, talking loudly, laughing and teasing, but I am deaf to it all. The old wooden floor lists to one side but that doesn’t get my attention either. No, the sum of my focus is on the wall of penny candy jars lining the front of the counter.

A vexing paradox confronts me; the sweets represent a veritable heaven, but the wide assortment presents a problem: Mommy has said I may choose only five!

One Blackball is a given … the hard, licorice-flavoured ball lasts a long time and different colours emerge as you suck on it. I imagine how I will repeatedly pull it out of my mouth, unaware of my fingers getting sticky, to see what colour is showing.

What else do I want? I breathe deeply, immersing myself in the sugary aroma of strawberry, butterscotch and chocolate, among others.

I select a Bazooka Joe bubble gum, as much for cartoon as the gum. That’s two.

Outside, the rusty Coca Cola sign creaks in protest from the breeze created by a passing train trundling along the rails running immediately alongside the building. My concentration remains unbroken, dedicated as I am to the difficult task before me.

Pop Rocks have just come out and they’re fun. But they’re two cents! I splurge, spending the extra penny. Only one cent left.

The store is quieter now, my more decisive (or less discriminating, I think) siblings having made their selections. Grandma’s house is attached to the store front, and they have retreated to her back yard to play in the sun.

Grandma looks over at my frown; forehead creased in concentration, and says “Penny for your thoughts Dear.” I look up, finally, and smile. I love Grandma. She is the sweetest lady I know and it isn’t within me to ignore her.

Seeing her, I also glimpse my mother, getting impatient now. Feeling rushed I reach for a saltwater taffy, wrapped in its waxed paper. It’s not a favourite of mine, but I know Grandma loves them and I want to please her.

I run out to join the others in the yard, a small brown paper bag clutched in my hand. These candies will last me hours. The memories will last me a lifetime.