JPYoung

The dialogue is amusing but convincing. Well done

Oh dang!...
That's a hell of an ending.

Reminds me of the movie Mother! with Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem. But the movie is very much symbolism whereas your story is direct with a little extra 'filler' moments to add spice and wholeness to it.

Not too shabby of a writing.

Gotta say I never had that red "romantic magic marker" on any sheet, nor did I want that either.
A fine story indeed.

You wrote some good banter and an exciting rescue scene. Well done.

"Tbe few customers until the upcoming dinner time."
Try "there were only a few customers between now and dinner time" it flows a bit better.

You describe the characters very well. I like Joey finding wonder in small tbings.

You evoke a child's point of view in a more innocent era very well.

As in earlier stories about this gang, you evoke a more innocent time very well.

I'd have put 'barked viciously' rather than 'viciously barked.' The relationship between husband and wife is plausible and the twist is good.