by Kim Pritekel
"Okay, Andi, now explain this obsession to me?" She grabbed one, looking at Bam the Ram.
"I don’t know. My father got me my first baby for my birthday about five or six years ago. He may be a jerk, but I loved the Beanie. So, I started to collect them. Getting them for my birthday, and Christmas."
"Oh, this is so cute." Haley put the ram down, and grabbed Suki the Karate Bear. She looked at me, a huge smile on her face.
"My mom got that for me when I got my first black belt." I smiled, remembering how proud my mom had been that she’d found it. "It’s my favorite."
"Andi?" Startled, I looked at my passenger.
"What?"
"Where did you go? Are you going to let me in the car, or would you rather I ran alongside?"
"Sorry." I grinned. We both got into the car, and we were on our way. "Music." I finally said. "Actually, I’ve always wanted to learn how to play something." I glanced at her.
"Really?" I nodded. "Cool." Her smile was huge. "I’ll tell you what, I’ll teach you the piano if you’ll teach me Tae Kwon Do." My heart soared. She was really interested in that? The thought of sharing something with her that was so close to my heart filled me with joy.
"You got a deal."
"Woohoo! I’m so excited. I’ve always thought martial arts were so cool."
The drive was nice, we chatted about anything and everything, Haley excited for school to get out.
"Can you believe this is my last Christmas in high school?" my stomach fell, but how could I let her know I was bummed when her voice radiated so much excitement? I knew that like me, Haley just wanted to get on with her life, go to college, and begin her career. "So what will you do without me here?" She smiled at me; I glanced at her. I shrugged.
"Celebrate?"
"Andi." I grinned as I felt her smack my leg.
"Well, I’ll miss you." I looked at her as I stopped for a traffic light. She was already looking at me.
"Will you?"
"Sure. Where else can I find a nut who dresses up as a plain M&M?" She smiled, very sweet, her head falling back against the head rest.
"I’ll miss you, too, Andi." I was surprised for some reason. I mean, logic tells you she will, but my self-confidence, well, or lack thereof, told me differently. "I mean, we can still write emails, and call on the phone, and stuff."
"Where are you going for school?"
"I’ve been accepted at UCLA." I looked at her briefly as the light turned green, and I drove on.
"Outstanding, Haley. Congratulations."
"Thanks. What about you? What do you want to do, anyway?"
"I’m not sure. I have looked at some schools on the east coast, MIT, Dartmouth. They have a wonderful doctorate program there for what I want to do."
"Which is?"
"Molecular biology."
"Wow. Well, I know you certainly have the grades for it."
"Well, a lot will depend on what kinds of scholarships I can get. There’s no way my mom can pay for that, and I can pay for some, but tuition at those places are unreal." I felt Haley’s hand on my arm.
"I know you’ll figure out a way, Andi. You’re just smart like that." I smiled at her.
"Thanks. Hey, what do you plan to do at UCLA, anyway?"
"Well, as of right now I’m looking into psychiatry."
"Wow. A good ol’ headshrinker, eh?" She glared at me, I smiled.
I pulled into the parking lot of the mall, which was, of course, already filled with cars. It was, after all, the biggest shopping day of the year. Row after row of cars of every make, color and state of health. Finding a spot near the very back of the north lot, I turned the car off and turned to Haley, who was nearly vibrating in her seat.
"Are we a little excited?" I grinned. She nodded vigorously. "Come on, you nut."
"Have you ever been here, before?" she asked, zipping her coat. It was a cold one today, already. I hated to think what it would be like once we left.
"Many moons ago. I must have been around ten or eleven."
"Oh, I love this place." Haley got the cutest look on her face, so excited and happy. We had made plans to do this last weekend, and I had been looking forward to it all week. I had never gone Christmas shopping with a friend before, nor had I really had any friends to buy for. I had spent much of last night trying to decide what I’d get her. Now I also had a birthday gift to find, though I had an idea for that.
"Wow." I looked around the massive building as we walked through the front doors, the ceiling seeming to go on forever with stores lining the walls, and venders in the center of the large hallways. People walked, many already carrying packages. Christmas trees were everywhere, wreaths hung, Christmas music piped in. Green, red and gold were everywhere you looked. Even the mall’s trash cans looked festive with snowflakes all over them.
I could already hear the music and laughter coming from Camp Snoopy, the theme park in the middle of the mall.
"Okay, so where do you want to start? Do you like Legos?" I looked at her to see if she was serious.
"Legos?"
"Yeah, you know, the little plastic building blocks?" I narrowed my eyes.
"I’m not quite that out of the loop."
"Well, good. Because before the day is over we’re heading to the Lego Imagination Center." She began to walk, I hurried to catch up.
* * *
I licked my ice cream cone, the chocolate beginning to run down the waffle cone to my fingers. Haley laughed at me as I attempted to lick up the mess, but I just succeeded in making an even worse one.
"Here." She managed to gasp out between bouts of laughter. I grabbed the napkin she offered, wiped my mouth and hand. I still had about a third of my ice cream to go, yet I was afraid to see where it would be by the end if I was already able to make such a mess. "Just like a little kid, I can’t take you anywhere." Haley stuck her tongue out to lick her own cone.
"Yeah, bite me." I muttered around a mouthful.
"Where?" I glanced at her, and saw her smirk. "Come on. I want to go there." She pointed at the Odyssey Café. I looked at her, then at her nearly finished ice cream cone, and back to her face.
"Haley? How can you possible eat anything substantial when you’re about to finish a massive ice cream cone?" She shrugged, popping the last bit of the cone into her mouth. "Can you wait like even half an hour? If I stick anything else in my mouth right now, it will come back out, looking not as pretty as it did going in, for certain." She swallowed the cone, and nodded.
"I can wait."
"Cool. Hang on, I want to see what’s nearby." I walked over to the mall directory, and a grin spread across my face.
"What?" I slowly looked from the directory to Haley.
"I have a confession to make." Her brows drew. I pointed to a store on the map. "I am obsessed with this place." She looked to see where my fingers was, then at me.
"Eddie Bauer?"
"They have got the greatest hiking boots there." Haley looked down at my feet.
"You have a nice pair on right now."
"I know." I turned, and headed for the elevators to take us to where Eddie lived.
"Never in a million years would I have pegged you for someone who shopped in a place like that." She grinned as she stepped inside the car. The doors closed, and we headed up.
"I know. It’s not something that I’m particularly proud of, but I have a thing for great boots and tank tops. Where Eddie may fall short on those, he definitely makes up for them in boots, and nifty little gadgets. Old Navy, now that’s the place to be for tanks."
"Eddie? You two do lunch often?"
"All the time." She shook her head. I looked at her as she watched the crowds below us through the glass walls of the elevator. My gaze traveled down her profile, the straight nose, full lips, nice, defined jaw and long neck. Haley was beautiful, there was just no other word for it. As I watched, one of her hands came up and absently pushed her hair out of the collar of her jacket, and back to lie in dark, s
hiny waves around her shoulders. I don’t think I had ever seen her with her hair down before, except for first thing in the morning when one of us would stay at the other’s house. Her hair was gorgeous, thick and dark, healthy. The contrast with her blue eyes was stunning.
Realizing I was staring, I turned away, though reluctantly.
"Eddie, I’m home." I grinned as we walked into the store. Of course, as soon as we walked through the door we were bombarded by sales people. Just like swarming flies. I hated that.
I made my way to the back wall where all the boots were displayed in all their glory. Haley stood beside me.
"So, shoes are your fetish, huh?" I nodded. "I have one, too." I glanced at her. "It’s sunglasses. Would you be sickened to know I have seven pairs?"
"Seven?" I headed toward a particularly beautiful boot that I had to see up close and get personal with.
"Yep. Seven." Suddenly a quiet, but shrill ringing began to sound from Haley’s purse. "Hang on." She took the small cell out, and turned it on. "Hello?" I watched her for a moment, then walked away a few steps to give her some privacy. "Hey, Kelly. What’s up? I’m at Mall of America with Andi. Yes, Andi Littman." I could hear irritation in Haley’s voice. "Yes I did. Kelly, I did, too. I told you last Tuesday. We’re Christmas shopping. Of course we’ll go, too. Yeah, bye." With a sigh, she closed the phone up, and stuck it back in her purse. She walked over to me, not looking happy. I had an idea of what had happened, and decided to just keep up our other conversation so she wouldn’t be upset.
"My, lord. Well, I guess you have one pair for every day of the week, then." She grinned and walked away to look at a pair of shoes.
I asked a store clerk to find my size in the boot I had in my hand, knowing full well that chances were slim to none that I’d actually buy them. I had my car to think about. Every penny I saved would get me more money and a better car in the long run.
"Oh, those are nice." I heard in my ear. I felt Haley behind me, looking at the boot I held in my hands, over my shoulder.
"Thanks. I had the guy get my size from the back."
"Really?" She moved around to face me, taking the hiking boot in her hands to examine it better. She looked at me. "You going to buy them?" I shook my head.
"Nah. Just torture myself, you know."
"Oh, come on, Andi. You’re making the guy do the work, and how many bills do you really have?"
"Well none, but,"
"Then, what’s the problem?" She dangled the boot in front of my face by the shoestrings. "You know you want them."
"Stop. You’re trying to make me be irresponsible."
"Yeah, basically."
"Here you are, miss." I turned, and found the box with the boots in them in my hands. "Can I do anything else for you?" He looked at us both. I shook my head.
"No, thanks." With a smile and a nod, he left us alone.
"Don’t you hear that, Andi? That high-pitched plea? They’re calling your name. They’re saying, Andi, buy us, buy us. We’ll treat your feet right."
"Ah, jeez." I pushed her away and sat down on the chair, quickly untying my shoes to try these on. Haley watched intently. I slid my foot in.
"How does that feel?"
"Good."
"Of course it does." She knelt down in front of me and began to lace the boot up. "Andi, you rarely spend any money on yourself. I mean, it’s not good to do it often, but once in a while. Hell, get yourself something for Christmas in the way of these boots."
"Dude, what is your deal with these boots?" I laughed, moving my foot around, turning at the ankle to see how comfortable they were. She untied my other boot, slipping it off my foot, putting the new boot on it.
"Well, I want you to be happy. If these make you happy, then so be it."
Fifteen minutes later we walked toward the elevator, me looking down at the new boots as I carried the old ones in the box of the new ones in a bag.
"How does that feel?" I gave Haley a grin in reply. She smiled, patted me on the back. "Go, you."
"Rah."
We were seated at the Rainforest Café, and I looked at her.
"You know you’re a terrible influence on me, right?" She nodded.
"Sure."
"Great."
"I’ve always liked hiking boots on people. I think they’re sexy."
"Sexy, huh?" The waitress gave us menus, and took our drink order.
"Yeah, sexy. They’re rugged, speak of danger and adventure." I laughed, slapping my hand on the table.
"Where on earth do you come up with this stuff, Haley?" she shrugged.
"Who knows. But it’s true."
* * *
I helped Haley lug in all her packages from the back seat of the car. She was so proud that she’d gotten all of her Christmas shopping done today. Then I headed home. I planned to turn my project in on Monday, so decided to get it all together, and ready.
But first, I wanted to get all of my own gifts in order, and begin wrapping them. We had put up our Christmas tree yesterday after dinner, and there was already one, very small, gift under it. Being sneaky, I saw that it had my name on it.
I hurried up to my room with my bags in tow, and plopped them all down on the floor. My old boots were put aside, then I went through what I had bought my mom and brother, Tracy, then the last two bags were for Haley. I smiled as I looked at the soft, green bear named Kicks. A little soccer ball was embroidered to his chest. I didn’t know if she’d like the Beanie Baby or not, but I figured she’d at least get a kick out of it. I grinned at the soft Koosh, large and blue and red, our school colors. Luckily she was easily distracted, so I could buy them for her without her noticing.
The other gift, which would be for Christmas, I was especially excited for.
I ran downstairs to the basement and the closet where we kept all gift wrap and bows, and hurried back upstairs to my room.
Twenty minutes later, I was back downstairs, piling my offerings under the tree.
"I’m going to be online!" I yelled so Chris and mom, wherever they were, could hear, and not pick up the phone. Taking the stairs two at a time, I hurried to my room, and switched on the computer. I had all my notes, sketches and information all around my desk for easy access. I began to type up my report.
You have received an instant message from CometBaby. Do you wish to respond?
My brows drew, then it hit me. I grinned, and clicked on yes.
CometBaby says:
Hey, boot-scootin’ girl. How goes it?
Mtn85 says:
Not bad. How about you?
CometBaby says:
Good. I have some homework to do, so I logged on. Plus I’m bored.
Mtn85 says:
Bored???? You just got home from a full day of shopping!
CometBaby says:
I know, I know. Call me ungrateful.
Mtn85 says:
Ungrateful
CometBaby says:
: p
I chuckled as my fingers rested on the keyboard, trying to decide what to say next. Haley beat me to it.
CometBaby says:
So, did you have fun today?
Mtn85 says:
I did. You?
CometBaby says:
Very much so. You’re fun to shop with.
I grinned like an idiot.
Mtn85 says:
Awww, garsh. Thanks. So are you.
CometBaby says:
J So are you bummed you didn’t get to sit on Santa’s lap today?
Mtn85 says:
Lol. Not really. Can’t say Santa’s my type. Old, fat and gray, nah.
CometBaby says:
Lol! I’m sorry to hear that. So what are you wearing?
I chuckled, looking down at myself. I’d been home nearly an hour, and had changed into flannel pants and a tank.
Mtn85 says:
A parka.
CometBaby says:
Really? That’s interesting. Cold in your room, is it?
Mtn85 says:
Maybe.
CometBaby says:
So what’s under the parka?
Mtn85 says:
A scarf.
CometBaby says:
(chuckle) I see. I’ll bet you’re wearing a tank and jeans. Am I close?
I glanced at the window, almost expecting to see Haley peeking in at me.
Mtn85 says:
Not too bad! But no, not quite.
CometBaby says:
Hmm… how about a parka, a scarf, a tank, and a potato masher. Am I getting warmer?
Mtn85 says:
Umm, ow? Where would I be hiding that masher if you were right?
I looked down at myself, imagining the very few, and very uncomfortable places a large metal object like that could fit. I crossed my legs as my fingers raced on the keys as I tried to write back before she could.
Mtn85 says:
What about you? Where’s the infamous Koosh?
CometBaby says:
: p Wouldn’t you like to know. And as for the masher… I don’t know where you’d put it, you’re the one that sleeps with one at night. I’m not into that kind of metal.
Mtn85 says:
No, you’re into the soft, limp spine, kind.
CometBaby says:
I don’t think so much it’s the soft, limp spines as the rubber.
I laughed out loud. At this rate, I’d never get anything done.
Mtn85 says:
Well, with a solo performance, you shouldn’t need the rubber.
CometBaby says:
How would you know? Besides, it never hurts to be safe. And, many things are made of rubber; not just those.
I found myself blushing, thinking of all the wondrous rubber objects out there. Then I thought to one night when I’d caught Chris watching Cinemax late at night. He had been watching a soft porn movie, and I had ended up watching with him.
Mtn85 says:
Well, there are different sizes, even ribbed or ones with little nubs on them. Nubs rubs for more pleasure, after all.
CometBaby says:
Okay, Trojan man.
Mtn85 says:
That’s Ms. Trojan man to you, and who’s talking about condoms?
CometBaby says:
Certainly not I. I was discussing the Trojan army. What’s on your mind?