Point of No Return: Red Folders
Author's Note: I didn't want to use a real school in Colorado Springs. I just picked out a random name so if for some weird reason it's your name, I promise I'm not stalking you.
"Do you have the list?" Daniel asked as he put his jeep into park. "We can get through this super fast and go grab ice cream."
"I've got it!" Ryan waved the neon green paper, 'Phillip Remley Elementary Kindergarten Supply List' written in cartoonish font across the top.
The archaeologist had to keep his over enthusiastic son from bolting to the huge office supply store. He was completely exhausted from the whole Martin ordeal and the idea of going through a huge store for school supplies on his day off was the last thing he wanted to do.
"Good afternoon sir!" A bubbly teen aged girl grinned at them. "Are you looking for anything in particular? Is there anything I can help you find?"
"Ah, no," Daniel smiled back and shook his head. "We're just looking for school supplies. Thank you though." "Well, don't hesitate to ask for any help! That's what we're here for," She enthused, still grinning wildly.
"Daddy," Ryan piped up as Daniel grabbed a bright blue shopping cart. "Why didn't you give her the list? She could have helped up."
"Well, we can find all this stuff ourselves. If we get stuck then we'll ask," Ryan paused for a moment then nodded. "Okay, let me see the list."
For the first time, Daniel understood Jack's frustration.
Ryan was as particular as his father in everything they picked out. The pencils all had to be closely examined, all the sample pens tested, and all of the glue sticks were laid out to more easily compare.
"Okay, a red folder," Daniel read out loud as he pushed the half way full cart up to a display of multicolored folders. He grabbed at the first folder and placed it in the cart, sighing as Ryan frowned.
"That's orange," The four year old announced.
"There are no more red ones, orange is the closest," Daniel tried to move on but Ryan simply scowled.
"But it said red," He argued.
"But there's only orange," Daniel tried again but Ryan's blue eyes simply narrowed.
"Fine," Ryan snapped before spinning on his heel and sprinted out of the aisle. Daniel jumped in surprise before leaving the cart and following his son.
"I need a red folder but there are none left," He heard Ryan explaining to the perky employee.
"Alright, we might have some in the back," She smiled at the little boy. "Just let me check sweetie."
"That wasn't so hard," Ryan rolled his eyes at his father who had just run up to him.
"For cryin' out loud," Daniel muttered.
