[he answers with a jerky nod and small smile. good. he'd feel awful if there was only enough for himself.] It's not that bad. And there's a shortcut if you can go through the strip mall rather than around. [a half-lie. the walk wasn't bad, just a bit tedious if you did it twice a day.]

The strip mall can get crowded sometimes.... It's probably better if you decide which way to go.