“Hey Mom, aren’t you forgetting something?” Kalle said as they stopped outside the centre.
“Oh yeah. Here’s 50 bucks...don’t buy anything I won’t like.”
“Mom, that’s like, everything.”
“You heard me!”
“Ok..” She counted her money. Together with her own, she had about 100 bucks to spend.
“Your brother and I are going to JCPenny’s. We’ll meet you back here in about an hour.”
“Ok, see ya later”.
Kalle went off to shop, but she kept her eyes peeled for that guy. She knew that he was somebody she knew, or knew of. She stopped at the Gap, and bought a shirt and skirt there, then went next door to a store that sold Doc Martens. Oh, these are cute, she thought, picking out some sandals that would go perfect with her new outfit. And even better, they were on sale! It wasn't just anywhere that you found Doc Martens for under 100 bucks.
“Do you have these in a 6?” She asked the salesclerk.
“Yeah, sure, just a minute.” the lady said and went in the backroom to get them.
“Ok great, thanks” Kalle said, as she took off her old shoes. She really wanted these new shoes! She wanted to look nice for the show tonight. And who knows? She might run into that man.
“Here you go,” the salesclerk said.
“Thanks.” Kalle slipped on the sandals, and instantly fell in love. Doc Martens were her favorite shoes!
“I’ll take them,” she said, slipping back into her old sneakers.
“Ok. Let's go up front and ring you up."
"Great!"
"That’ll be $67.50 please.”
Kalle paid the lady and went outside. Realizing her time was almost up, she headed back towards the entrance, stopping at the bathroom first to change into her theatre clothes. When she came out, once again she saw the mysterious man.
“Wait!!” she cried, but she couldn’t run because her bags were weighing her down.
“Dammit! I have to see who that is!” She slowed down when she saw her mom and brother staring at her funny from the bench in the centre of the mall. They too were already dressed for the show.
“What?” she said, out of breath from running after that man.
“Kalle, are you chasing boys again? You already have one boyfriend that I don’t approve of.”
“No, mom, nevermind. I thought I saw..someone from school.” She couldn’t tell her mom that she was chasing someone she thought she knew.
“Ok, let’s head downtown to the theater. The show starts in about an hour.”
“All right!” Brett said excitedly. “I can’t wait to see the flames shoot out of the stage!!”
“See, I told you you’d like the play,” Kalle told him. Younger brothers can be so annoying, she thought.
“I bet you 10 bucks you can’t stay awake through the whole show!” she challenged.
“Can too!”
“Can not!”
“OK, ENOUGH! Don’t make a scene guys!” her mom said furiously. Kalle almost laughed out loud. She loved making her mom mad! They headed out of the mall and down the street to the theatre.
“Oh, look! There’s an old coin shop right down the street from the theatre!” Brett pointed. He loved old coins. He had a collection the size of NYC in his room under his bed.
"Can we go look? Please?" he pleaded.
“Ok, we can go look, Brett. Kalle, stay at the theatre to make sure we don’t miss the show.” her mom said as they walked off down the street. Great..now they ditch me. What am I gonna do for a half an hour? Kalle hated her family sometimes. The only family member that understood her was her father and he vowed never to go on any trips with them again. She wished she was back home right now, cuddling with Col in front of the tv watching a movie. She wanted to feel his kiss on her lips...feel his touch...
“OUCH! Dammit! Sorry..” Kalle said, running into someone on the streets.
The man turned around. “That’s ok. I wasn’t looking either.” he started to turn around and walk away.
Kalle gasped. It was the guy! “Hey, wait, come here for a minute,” she called to him.
“What, now that you hit me you want to be nice?” he kidded.
“Yeah, something like that..” she said as she stared at his face...his sideburns, that smile... She gasped. She knew who he was!! It was Jeremy Kushnier!!
