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Chapter 7 shop till we drop

I don't know how long we drove for. We stopped a few times for gas, bathroom breaks, and food. I also fell asleep for a little while.

I jumped when my mom started yelling. "Bella, Bella, we're here. Look!" She pointed out the window at these big letters sitting on a hill.

I thought to myself mommy must really like big letters. I remember my promise to learn how to read. I asked her what the letters said. "They say Hollywood, you silly girl." I tried to memorize the letters that made that word.

Mac gave my mom directions to "a friend's store" When we got there we had our pictures taken. Mac's friend asked for our names and then asked Mac what name he was using.

"Macallister Swan." Was his answer. Swan, just like me and mommy.

After Mac talked to his friend some more we picked up food and went to another hotel. This one had two beds and a bathroom, but no kitchen. He only brought his bags in the room this time. He said he was tired and would bring ours in tomorrow.

After we ate I took another bath. I put my books on the back of the toilet where I can see them while I rushed through washing myself. When I was done mommy told me to put my tank top and undies back on, and I could put my outside clothes on tomorrow. Mac was asleep in one of the beds so I climbed into the other one.

While mommy was in the bathroom I opened one of my books. I didn't see that Hollywood word but I did see the letter H. I was pretty sure I knew what sound-letter H made so every time I saw it I would make that sound.

When Mommy came out of the bathroom she told me it was time for sleep. So I laid down, but I refused to let go of my books. Mommy got into the bed with me and we went to sleep. The next morning Mac said he would get our bags later because he was thinking about going to a different hotel and didn't want to bother if he was just bringing them back out to the car.

So we put the clothes we were wearing yesterday back on. He went to give mommy more money. This money had a piece of paper wrapped around it. Mac took the piece of paper off and threw it in the garbage before giving it to my mom. I picked up my books ready to go.

"Bella leave those here." I shook my head and held them tighter. My mom didn't put up much of a fight after that. She was too excited to go shopping.

Then mommy and I went shopping. Again I refuse to let go of my books. We went to a few stores where mommy bought herself pretty dresses. Then we got something to eat. The next store we went into had small clothes. Mommy said it was my turn to get pretty dresses. She couldn't get me to let go of my books long enough to try on any clothes.

One of the ladies that worked there started talking to me. "Hello, there little one." I gave a small wave. "You really like those books huh."

I nodded my head and my mom complained lightly. "She hasn't put them down since she got them."

The lady smiled at me and suggested. "Maybe we could hold those books behind the counter until you and your mommy are done shopping. I promise we'll take good care of them for you."

I shook my head no. She narrowed her eyes in thought. "Hmm," she said and I got excited. Pointing at the letter h on the front of one of my books.

I exclaimed "hmm starts with this letter."

The lady laughed and said, "Yes you are absolutely right. Hmm, does start with the letter h."

"H" I repeated. "H, hmm. H, Hello" I continued to say the things that I thought made the letter H sound.

"You are so smart." The lady told me. "I know, I have just the thing for a smart girl like you." She walked away to a different part of the store and when she came back she had something in her hands she called a book bag. "Now you can put your books in here. When you try on your clothes, you could hang it on the hook right where you can see it." I liked that idea. I happily took the book bag. The book bag was just a plain red color. But I loved it. I promptly did as the lady said.

I tried on so many dresses, I never wanted to see another dress again. Mommy picked out her favorites and we brought them and my new book bag up to the counter. I took my books out before handing it over.

There was another lady behind the counter. When she rang up the book bag she said: "Oh, are you getting ready to start preschool."

I looked at my mom unsure what to say. "No, she just likes books."

The lady gave me the book bag back then went on talking as she rang up and packed away the rest of our stuff. "Oh, that's good. I hear the sooner children are introduced to books the easier it is for them to comprehend, understand, and learn new things. She should be exposed to different genres of music and art as well. She will grow into a well-rounded adult." My mom paid for the stuff and we quickly left.

"I swear, I didn't think that woman would shut up." My mom stated in aggravation. "Like I need to be told what's good for my kid. The nerve of her."

There's something else I was curious about that lady and all the other people behind the counters. "Mommy why did all the people you gave money to today look at you funny then hold the money up and look at it?"

Still annoyed she harshly spoke. "I don't know, do you want to go back to every store and ask them? Maybe they will all have a say in how I raise you too." I shook my head and tightened my lips knowing its best to be quiet now.

We had been shopping all day. Mommy finally decided it was time to go back to the hotel. We stopped one more place to pick up dinner before heading back.

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