What to do

Kid needs stuff for baseball. First practice is tomorrow (don't even get me started on the mid-week 3:30 start time....). Town sporting goods store closes at 5:30. It is currently 5:20. You've had a long day and work, and just want to go home. The weekly sitter is not available this evening. You take kid to store to get needed baseball gear. He pitches a fit about neeeeeding a golf club. You say no. Store associate says they do not sell golf equipment. Thank you store associate!! Subject matter not over. Kid demands you take him to another store that is still open so he can get his neeeeeded golf club. Again, you say no. He hits you. In the store, in front of the sales associate. You are in shock! Your kid just hit you! Baseball shoes and pants are required, so you pay for that and start to head out the door. Kid has disappeared. You holler. Another sales associate says she has not seen or heard him. Did he go in the stock room? Hiding in the basketball section? You yell first and middle name. He appears. He runs out the door and attempts to hide outside. You immediately see him. You both safely get to the car, and safely get home. He becomes Amish for the evening, and complains of being bored. You reiterate how UNacceptable hitting is. He pouts, and starts his suck-up routine. You see it for what it is. Ignore it, fix dinner, and continue with your evening as best you can. What the hell else can you do??? Can't hit him for hitting you! What example would that set? A bad one. Kids lose privileges. Thinks it's not fair, yet manages to eat, get clean, and go to bed. Such is a hard life for kids these days. Had you ever done this when you were 8, you wouldn't be able to sit for months. Sheesh.....