Code Yellow

Want to know what a code yellow is? At Target, it's a parent's worst nightmare. I was chowing down in the Target cafe today when an announcement was made over the store's PA system. "We have a code yellow. The missing boy is 4 yers old and wearing black shorts and a yellow shirt." Suddenly employees were scrambling. Several, including the store security guard, were running toward the doors nearest the cafe. I could hear some responding on walkie-talkies "I've got door one." "Door two is covered." Deep in my heart I felt the rush of fear, and I even said outloud to another customer near me, "That is so scary." It was over in minutes. They found the boy quickly and paged his mother to come to guest services. It was good in a way for me to see how at least this store, and I hope most others, responds to this kind of emergency. They actually ran. They covered the exits quickly. I guess I had never thought about what a store would do or should do in that situation, but they had a good response. I hope I never lose sight of my kids while shopping. I never want to feel that kind of sickening, frantic, gut-wrenching fear.