We arrived to Target around 4:00 PM knowing that we had to leave by 4:50 to get Clayton to soccer and Bentley to gymnastics...
I answered a million questions while the kind pharmacist hurried to get things moving along. At this particular CVS in Target it creates an L shape - so the window where he was filling out forms is on the long part of the "L" and Bentley was sitting on the floor like the bottom part- every once in awhile I'd see his head peek around the corner to check on us, but quickly vanished.
After I signed all the sheets the pharmacist had the kids pick out band aids- don't worry I've got elasti girl proudly displayed on my arm! Clayton sat in the chair first. No problem. Then I got Lily in my lap- I took the shot and then he gave one to her. Next up.... Mr. Corner Man. He wouldn't move. I tried for 7 minutes to get him back by the window- I tried to pick him up and he kicked me and kept screaming. Here's the thing about Bentley- if he doesn't want to do something- there's no way in hell you're gonna make him do it. And here's the other thing about Bentley- he is as loyal as they come. If he tells me he will do something- he will do it. I tread on light waters to hold our relationship with respect and trust- I cannot betray him because I need him to trust me (and I kinda want to be a mom that her kids believe...). My phone was left in the car (probably still rocking Clayton's Beatles' songs)- so the pharmacist got his personal cell phone so Bentley could watch, but as soon as he handed me the phone Bentley bolted. Last week I lost Bentley in Target and they called on every employee to abandon their job (except cashiers) and look for the little kid with blue glasses. It took 10 minutes and every employee looking in every aisle until he was found- so when he took off today- I went with him- phone in hand and all. I finally caught up to him- at this point Lily is with the pharmacist and I have the boys. Clayton tried every trick to get Bentley to choose a toy. Nope. Then Clayton looked at me with tears in his eyes, "Mom, he's gonna make me late for soccer and I have missed three days because of the rain!" On that note we convinced Bentley to go back to the pharmacist- I gave him the phone and said, "Not gonna happen. I'll talk to him." So off we went.
I was feeling super frustrated because I know Bentley can do this- he is such a trooper and we have worked with him to do shots and blood draws independently with no tears. So I decided to try again- back to Target we went.
It was 6:15 when we arrived and the pharmacy closes at 7:00. We looked at every. single. toy. and Lily and I tried over and over to convince him he could do it. Nope. "No toy. No shot. No thanks." Repeat. "No movie. No shot." I reminded him that he is so brave and that he can do it. Finally at 6:45 I convinced him to walk towards the pharmacy. We stopped about 50 feet from the counter and sat on the floor for 10 minutes- in the middle of the aisle. Lily and and I continued to work with Bentley on how he could do and there'd be a toy and ice cream- I probably would've offered Disneyland if the idea had come to me- luckily it didn't. Bentley agree to walk to the window- the long way- so we went four aisles out of our way to loop around and then planted himself in the far corner - no where near the table and window. The pharmacist heard us and motioned if he should get it ready. I shook my head no. I sat with Bentley and helped him lift his shirt on his arm while continually reminding him the pharmacist was nowhere near us and didn't even have a needle ready. Bentley finally held his shirt up and said, "Ok, Mom, do it. I brave." And then I yelled, "He's READY!!!!" At this point it's 7:00 on the dot and so they're closing the shutters and he asked if we could move to the room by the table and I said- "He's not moving." "Ok, I'll be there!" said the pharmacist. Bentley sat patiently with his sleeve up and the pharmacist came out a few minutes later and sat on the floor in the middle of the pharmacy section of Target to give him the shot. Bentley let him clean his arm, but refused to look away. I know that most kids don't look- but for Bentley he had to know exactly what was happening. So Tony the pharmacist pulled out the needle and Bentley sat still as a statue and let him put that needle in. Then Bentley handed him the band aid and on the arm it went. We all cheered! Then Bentley said, "Where's my money?" And Tony ran to get it!
Back to the toy section we went and Bentley pulled a $150 LEGO Millennium Falcon off the shelf and said, "This one, Mom!" I laughed so hard. He eventually picked a smaller set and we all checked out. The man at the self check out cheered Bentley on (that was the second time he had to help me with coupons that day).
These experiences I have with Bentley teach me so many things. They teach me that I must persevere with Bentley- he is willing and brave- but he has to agree to it. I think the best part of day was seeing all the ways that people come together and love. Clayton and Lily were so sweet trying to help Bentley understand it wouldn't hurt and trying to help him think of all the toys. David willingly answered his phone no less than times at work while I tried to navigate how to help (thanks to my new watch since my phone was nowhere to be found for either visit to Target!). I'll never forget the image of Tony the pharmacist sitting next to Bentley on the dirty Target floor and giving him the flu shot. The cheers from inside- and the other friendly employees who high fived the kids on our way out. There are beautiful things that are happening every day- and I am just blessed that I got to be part of Bentley's story of bravery unfold. Today was a day of perseverance, creativity, and bravery- and we did it! We got that stinker to get his shot. And now it's time for an adult beverage and a toast to survival. Another day- another adventure -another day to be thankful.
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