"Only a Moment..."
Chapter 12
~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ **~~
"Shopping"
Clothes hangers slid along the metal rod in the closet. It scraped the now well worn path it had been shoved along all morning.
"See! Nothing!! I have absolutely nothing in here worth wearing, so I'm not going!"
"Come on please! You have to go!"
"No! I've made up my mind, I'm staying home."
Noin looked pleading at Sally trying to make the best puppy dog eyes she could, "please.." Lady Une's annual Christmas Eve dinner and dance was the next night and Noin was determined to get her dear friend out for some fun.
"Just think of last time, remember how much fun we had? Everyone one was having such a good time and there are so many memories too. Like the time Duo got drunk, I never laughed so hard in my life! Now you can't tell me that wasn't funny?"
Sally smiled remembering the event two Christmas Eves ago. It was on a clear crisp night with everything covered in freshly fallen show, and shimmering lights. It would have been the perfect night if Duo hadn't got drunk and puked everywhere, and poor Hilde was so embarrassed she made him take a taxi home by himself.
"Alright I'll go, but you have to help me pick out a new dress alright?" Sally humored her friend good intentions. She knew she meant well but in truth Sally had never had much fun at any of those Christmas Eve dances. Everyone she had been to had been more of a reminder of what she didn't have. Everyone dancing on the dance floor, being held close by someone you loved made her feel very lonely.
"Great! How about we go shopping right now while there's still a chance there's some good dresses left."
The two women got into the car and drove down main street to the main mall in the city. The parking lot was packed with thousands of last minute shoppers in a mad rush to grab whatever was left. The two women tried for a half hour to find a spot, and in the end had to stalk a walker to his car then almost run everyone else down to get it. Inside was no better; wall to wall people in every store almost unable to move. Christmas trees stood almost stripped of all sellable decorations in store windows. Sally watched Noin closely moving behind her, concerned for the expectant mother.
"Noin I'm not sure you should really be here in your state. I mean the baby...."
"Sally I'm fine really. Nothing is going to happen trust me, now go into this store here, I want to see what dresses they have left. I hope there is something good."
Noin and Sally managed to separate themselves from the living see of human bodies in the main hall way. The store they entered was amazingly quiet and empty. A few dresses hung on a hanger next to the changing room doors. A lady with a name tag approached them.
"Merry Christmas. If there is anything I can help you with I will be more than willing to help, but there isn't much left I'm afraid."
"Well we were hoping that maybe you would have something left that would fit my friend here." said Noin.
The women eyed Sally head to foot before speaking, "Well I'm not sure what will fit but I believe there might be something left, come with me." She went to the small group of clothes by the changing rooms, "May I ask what size Miss?"
"Oh, ummm... a 13 I think.." Sally stammered. That was the size of the last dress she bought new anyway, about 4 years ago.
A while later she had tried on every dress that was left on the hangers. The dresses that had sleeves didn't fit, and others were way to low in the front for her liking. Either everything didn't fit right, or looked horrible. Sally began to feel annoyed about the whole thing. What was the point of going through all this just to sit alone... again?! Anger and despair began to take over as they wandered from store to store in vain. There was just nothing left to pick from! Finally they found themselves back in the same store that they had gone in.
"Noin I know you're trying to do this for me but I want to go now." wording it as nicely as she could. The same clerk approached them again.
"Still haven't found anything?"
"No."
"Well then there is one more dress I don't believe I've shown you, if you like..."
"No thank you, that's quite alr...." Sally was quitted by a jab in her side from Noin.
"What my friend means is that yes, we would love to see it." Despite what her friend wanted, Noin was determined to get a dress for her. The clerk took them into the back rooms of the store out of site of the regular shoppers. The dark and musty rooms were full of boxes right to the ceiling. They stud tittering and swaying slightly as they passed. Finally they stopped in front of a rack of dresses.
"These are the ones people put on lay away and the time on them is up. We're going to up them out tomorrow but you can see if there is anything you like now. There's a room over there you can change in, I'll be right back." and hurried back out into the main store.
The rack held about nine dresses of every color and every style. Some of them hung, the bottoms slightly touching the floor, while others looked like they wouldn't even reach mid thigh. Noin began to check the sizes and pulled out three. One was dark blue with shimmery sparkles twinkling like sapphires in a flower pattern around the neckline, twisting around to the back and then down to the bottom of the dress to about knee length. The next was deep rose red. The silky fabric shined and shimmered as it hugged the body and ended about mid thigh. Form fitting, it left little to the imagination. The last was lily-white. Tiny jewels reflected the light like little diamonds. The jewels moved in a wave pattern all around the flowing ankle length dress. The top hung loose around the neck held by slender straps criss-crossing down the low back.
"I'm not sure which looks better on you Sally? They all look so beautiful on you!" Noin commented as she and Sally tried to decide. Just then the clerk came back to see how everything was going.
"Have you found anything yet?" she asked.
"Yes but I can't decide." said Sally.
"Those are the ones? Oh you have get this one!" the clerk exclaimed holding it up to Sally, "It's simply stunning!"
Sally held it up to herself and looked in the mirror. It truly did look stunning on her. "Yes.. I think I will get this one."
After paying for the dress they decided to take a break and get some lunch. Amazingly the rush of people had died down and it was much easier to move around. They found a table in the food court close to the main restaurants, and Sally got her and Noins'' meal.
"Sally," Noin began, "can I ask you something?"
Sally was a bit puzzled why her best friend would ask permission to ask a question, " Sure Noin. What is it?"
She paused for a moment arranging the proper words, and shoved a meatball around the plate. Quietly she asked, "Do you have any regrets in life? I mean .... what I mean is.... would there be anything you would have done differently if you had known?.. ah never mind. I'm sorry Sally I just.. I'm just... the baby.. I'm not sure if I'm ready to be a mother. I mean I hardly remember my own parents, so how am I going to be able to teach this child how to live life? How am I going to be able to protect this child. What about..."
"Noin calm down. It will be ok I promise you! You're going to be a great mother, and you'll have Zechs helping you. Just take it one day at a time and you'll get the hang of it. You've taken on harder things then this remember the Eve wars when you had to defend PeaceMillion from Zechs. You remember how hard that was, then this will be a snap! Food, shelter, a bit of discipline, and lots and lots of love. You can do that I know you can. Noin you're going to be a great mother, " Sally took hold of Noins'' hand, "trust me."She smiled at her friend till she smiled back.
"Sorry Sally. I'm just a bit nervous about having this baby."
"It's alright." her mind wondered over the question she had asked.. `what do I regret? At the moment I can't really thing of anything that I want, besides my life back. There's nothing position wise I ever wanted... a ring.. I want a ring.. A wedding ring. My own wedding ring. I've always wanted to get married ....` Sally looked at her friend across the table. ` and I've always wanted to be a mother.`
"So what are you getting Wufei?" Noin asked between mouth fulls.
"Umm.. I haven't even thought about it.. I guess I should get him something." Sally said not bothering to look up from her tray.
"What? Well we should get him something today while there's still some time."
After they finished eating the two women began to look through some of the shops and stores for something for Wufei. Neither knowing just what he would like. By, and by Noin had to go home and Sally was left on her own.
The endless halls and numerous shops provided little help. The marble floor moved under her as her feet took her to the last shop in the mall. Rows of steel blades hung behind glass all over that walls. Knives, swords, throwing knives, daggers, ninja stars, short swords, viper knives, survival knives, brass weight, hibben knives, butterfly knives, battle axes, crossbows, ninja chains, masses, clubs, sword sets, tachi sword, gladiator swords, concealed blades, samurai swords, grappling hook, steal blade throwing cards, and even a batman legacy throwing set of those bat shaped things he use to throw at people.
It was a wonder how in this peaceful time a place like this could stay open? Almost ever inch of space contained a piece of ninja equipment or blade of some kind. At first Sally was going to just turn around and walk out when something caught the corner of her eye. On the wall next to the door was a 34" sword covered in spikes. It didn't even look possible to touch without getting one or more spikes stuck in your hand. In back on the main sword blade was a smaller piece of steel. She looked at the one next to that which was more sleek and lighter. A short sword, it had on the handle two griffin heads, and at the end of the handle the head of a double headed snake. It was a bit smaller then the first, but more elegant.
"Griffin short sword."
Sally almost jumped when the man standing behind her spoke, "and first one was a Star Gladiator. Those are the two most popular. If you want anything ask." and then he walked away.
Sally stood there for a moment watching him leave, then continued to look at the swords and knives. Some were fantastically crafted and designed, like something out of a medieval story. Handles entwined with mythological beast like unicorns and dragons, wile others carried the heads of tigers, bears, and snakes. Finally after a while of looking over everything she found what she was looking for.
It had a green wooden handle with a gold and silver spikes. The blade was sleek and sharp. Underneath was the name that said Hornet Short sword.
"Good choice." said a voice from behind that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. That man was back again!!
"Thanks."
"You want to pay for it now?" he asked.
"Yes that would be fine."
He pulled out a key ring with about twenty keys dangling from it and stuck one in the cabinet key hole. It opened with a click and he took out the Hornet Short sword and carefully took it to the counter followed close behind by Sally. The price came to about fifty dollars which pleased Sally. She lifted it up and examined the blade closely. It was sharpened to a razor edge the whole length of the steal shaft. Sally made the mistake of running her hand along the blade; at that moment a costumer in the store stepped backward into Sally and the blade sliced the palm of her hand.
"Would you like it gift-wrapped?" he asked.
~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ **~~
She did have the guy gift wrap the sword after he bandaged her hand. She placed the last few gifts under the tree and stepped back. It was a small tree, but it suited the purpose. The lights twinkled on it as she plugged it in.
"You're just running up the bill onna." came a voice from the couch.
"I don't care." she replied and sat next to him.
A small fire was burning in the fire place, and Christmas carols on every channel. It was a peaceful night, the night before Christmas Eve. Everything outside their home was covered in more fresh snowfall. Then it glowed every color of the rainbow under the Christmas lights strung up and down the street. Front yards were decorated with snowmen and their families, stars and baby Jesus. Wufei and Sally both had the holidays off this year since they had worked during them last year. Even during the holidays crime happens so some sucker has to work. Wufei handed the remote over to Sally.
"Here onna, I can't find anything besides these same old carols they play every year. You would think that by now they would have made some new ones."
Sally reached for the remote, "Who knows? Maybe there are some new ones on later .."
"Onna, what happened to your hand?" Wufei declared dropping the remote and taking hold of her hand. Blood had worked its way threw the cloth bandage and made the wound look much worse then it was. "Who did this to you?"
Sally sat there lost in the sudden feeling of Wufei holding her hand. His touch was very gentle and soft as he carefully removed the bandage. The feel of his fingertips running over the cut made her shudder and pull her hand back, but her held it snug. She willing went with him as he led her to the bathroom where he removed the first add kit from under the sink. He took out a new bandage, peroxide, and some cotton swabs.
"Hand." he demanded.
"Its not that bad really."
"Now!"
Sally held out her hand for him. He held her hand gently dabbing the cut with the cotton ball. The peroxide burned and bubbled on the wound almost the only sound in the bathroom. Sally started the feel the silence grow heavier and so did Wufei, who finally broke the quiet.
"How did this happen?" he asked.
Sally thought fast for a reason this might have happened, "ah, someone dropped a glass vase in the mall and I was helping clean it up before anyone got hurt."
"Looks like you're the one that got hurt. Hold still I have to put on a new bandage." he took a sec to examine her hand. It was smaller then his and fit nicely in his palm. Holding it he didn't want to let it go again. He bandaged up her hand and put away the first aid kit.
~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ **~~
Diamonds shimmered under the glass casing under the counter top. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings sat in little pink and red velvet cases around the store like fresh cut roses; and for a good reason. A sign hung by the door which read, *Bye more then fifty dollars worth and receive a dozen long stem roses white, or red.* Streamers hung from the ceiling and twisted to every corner. Wufei stood in the middle of the store looking around a bit lost. His feet had taken him there the day of Christmas Eve, the first place he went after entering the mall. He was there to do a little last minute shopping but as usual had no idea what to get. Everything in this store was just too glittery to him. One thing looked like another almost, and he turned and left.
An hour later Wufei found himself back at the store again. For some reason he kept going back there. The clerks in the store busily rushed around from one customer to another asking if they needed an help finding something. In the back he could see a women wrapping gifts for customers for a long line of people. And once again his feet walked him forward into the store.
He gazed over the jewelry display under the glass counter top. Something blue caught his eye and he moved over to the earring display. There was a tiny pair of blue earrings the same as Sally had. This gave him an idea. He was going to give Sally the best Christmas he could.
"Can I help you with anything?" a clerk asked him.
"Yes. I would like to get that," he said pointing to a pair of earring he hoped Sally would like. He wandered around the store a few times looking at one thing then another. Something else caught his eye, "and that too.."
The women paused and looked at him for a moment then retrieved the items he requested.
TBC...
Chapter 12
~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ **~~
"Shopping"
Clothes hangers slid along the metal rod in the closet. It scraped the now well worn path it had been shoved along all morning.
"See! Nothing!! I have absolutely nothing in here worth wearing, so I'm not going!"
"Come on please! You have to go!"
"No! I've made up my mind, I'm staying home."
Noin looked pleading at Sally trying to make the best puppy dog eyes she could, "please.." Lady Une's annual Christmas Eve dinner and dance was the next night and Noin was determined to get her dear friend out for some fun.
"Just think of last time, remember how much fun we had? Everyone one was having such a good time and there are so many memories too. Like the time Duo got drunk, I never laughed so hard in my life! Now you can't tell me that wasn't funny?"
Sally smiled remembering the event two Christmas Eves ago. It was on a clear crisp night with everything covered in freshly fallen show, and shimmering lights. It would have been the perfect night if Duo hadn't got drunk and puked everywhere, and poor Hilde was so embarrassed she made him take a taxi home by himself.
"Alright I'll go, but you have to help me pick out a new dress alright?" Sally humored her friend good intentions. She knew she meant well but in truth Sally had never had much fun at any of those Christmas Eve dances. Everyone she had been to had been more of a reminder of what she didn't have. Everyone dancing on the dance floor, being held close by someone you loved made her feel very lonely.
"Great! How about we go shopping right now while there's still a chance there's some good dresses left."
The two women got into the car and drove down main street to the main mall in the city. The parking lot was packed with thousands of last minute shoppers in a mad rush to grab whatever was left. The two women tried for a half hour to find a spot, and in the end had to stalk a walker to his car then almost run everyone else down to get it. Inside was no better; wall to wall people in every store almost unable to move. Christmas trees stood almost stripped of all sellable decorations in store windows. Sally watched Noin closely moving behind her, concerned for the expectant mother.
"Noin I'm not sure you should really be here in your state. I mean the baby...."
"Sally I'm fine really. Nothing is going to happen trust me, now go into this store here, I want to see what dresses they have left. I hope there is something good."
Noin and Sally managed to separate themselves from the living see of human bodies in the main hall way. The store they entered was amazingly quiet and empty. A few dresses hung on a hanger next to the changing room doors. A lady with a name tag approached them.
"Merry Christmas. If there is anything I can help you with I will be more than willing to help, but there isn't much left I'm afraid."
"Well we were hoping that maybe you would have something left that would fit my friend here." said Noin.
The women eyed Sally head to foot before speaking, "Well I'm not sure what will fit but I believe there might be something left, come with me." She went to the small group of clothes by the changing rooms, "May I ask what size Miss?"
"Oh, ummm... a 13 I think.." Sally stammered. That was the size of the last dress she bought new anyway, about 4 years ago.
A while later she had tried on every dress that was left on the hangers. The dresses that had sleeves didn't fit, and others were way to low in the front for her liking. Either everything didn't fit right, or looked horrible. Sally began to feel annoyed about the whole thing. What was the point of going through all this just to sit alone... again?! Anger and despair began to take over as they wandered from store to store in vain. There was just nothing left to pick from! Finally they found themselves back in the same store that they had gone in.
"Noin I know you're trying to do this for me but I want to go now." wording it as nicely as she could. The same clerk approached them again.
"Still haven't found anything?"
"No."
"Well then there is one more dress I don't believe I've shown you, if you like..."
"No thank you, that's quite alr...." Sally was quitted by a jab in her side from Noin.
"What my friend means is that yes, we would love to see it." Despite what her friend wanted, Noin was determined to get a dress for her. The clerk took them into the back rooms of the store out of site of the regular shoppers. The dark and musty rooms were full of boxes right to the ceiling. They stud tittering and swaying slightly as they passed. Finally they stopped in front of a rack of dresses.
"These are the ones people put on lay away and the time on them is up. We're going to up them out tomorrow but you can see if there is anything you like now. There's a room over there you can change in, I'll be right back." and hurried back out into the main store.
The rack held about nine dresses of every color and every style. Some of them hung, the bottoms slightly touching the floor, while others looked like they wouldn't even reach mid thigh. Noin began to check the sizes and pulled out three. One was dark blue with shimmery sparkles twinkling like sapphires in a flower pattern around the neckline, twisting around to the back and then down to the bottom of the dress to about knee length. The next was deep rose red. The silky fabric shined and shimmered as it hugged the body and ended about mid thigh. Form fitting, it left little to the imagination. The last was lily-white. Tiny jewels reflected the light like little diamonds. The jewels moved in a wave pattern all around the flowing ankle length dress. The top hung loose around the neck held by slender straps criss-crossing down the low back.
"I'm not sure which looks better on you Sally? They all look so beautiful on you!" Noin commented as she and Sally tried to decide. Just then the clerk came back to see how everything was going.
"Have you found anything yet?" she asked.
"Yes but I can't decide." said Sally.
"Those are the ones? Oh you have get this one!" the clerk exclaimed holding it up to Sally, "It's simply stunning!"
Sally held it up to herself and looked in the mirror. It truly did look stunning on her. "Yes.. I think I will get this one."
After paying for the dress they decided to take a break and get some lunch. Amazingly the rush of people had died down and it was much easier to move around. They found a table in the food court close to the main restaurants, and Sally got her and Noins'' meal.
"Sally," Noin began, "can I ask you something?"
Sally was a bit puzzled why her best friend would ask permission to ask a question, " Sure Noin. What is it?"
She paused for a moment arranging the proper words, and shoved a meatball around the plate. Quietly she asked, "Do you have any regrets in life? I mean .... what I mean is.... would there be anything you would have done differently if you had known?.. ah never mind. I'm sorry Sally I just.. I'm just... the baby.. I'm not sure if I'm ready to be a mother. I mean I hardly remember my own parents, so how am I going to be able to teach this child how to live life? How am I going to be able to protect this child. What about..."
"Noin calm down. It will be ok I promise you! You're going to be a great mother, and you'll have Zechs helping you. Just take it one day at a time and you'll get the hang of it. You've taken on harder things then this remember the Eve wars when you had to defend PeaceMillion from Zechs. You remember how hard that was, then this will be a snap! Food, shelter, a bit of discipline, and lots and lots of love. You can do that I know you can. Noin you're going to be a great mother, " Sally took hold of Noins'' hand, "trust me."She smiled at her friend till she smiled back.
"Sorry Sally. I'm just a bit nervous about having this baby."
"It's alright." her mind wondered over the question she had asked.. `what do I regret? At the moment I can't really thing of anything that I want, besides my life back. There's nothing position wise I ever wanted... a ring.. I want a ring.. A wedding ring. My own wedding ring. I've always wanted to get married ....` Sally looked at her friend across the table. ` and I've always wanted to be a mother.`
"So what are you getting Wufei?" Noin asked between mouth fulls.
"Umm.. I haven't even thought about it.. I guess I should get him something." Sally said not bothering to look up from her tray.
"What? Well we should get him something today while there's still some time."
After they finished eating the two women began to look through some of the shops and stores for something for Wufei. Neither knowing just what he would like. By, and by Noin had to go home and Sally was left on her own.
The endless halls and numerous shops provided little help. The marble floor moved under her as her feet took her to the last shop in the mall. Rows of steel blades hung behind glass all over that walls. Knives, swords, throwing knives, daggers, ninja stars, short swords, viper knives, survival knives, brass weight, hibben knives, butterfly knives, battle axes, crossbows, ninja chains, masses, clubs, sword sets, tachi sword, gladiator swords, concealed blades, samurai swords, grappling hook, steal blade throwing cards, and even a batman legacy throwing set of those bat shaped things he use to throw at people.
It was a wonder how in this peaceful time a place like this could stay open? Almost ever inch of space contained a piece of ninja equipment or blade of some kind. At first Sally was going to just turn around and walk out when something caught the corner of her eye. On the wall next to the door was a 34" sword covered in spikes. It didn't even look possible to touch without getting one or more spikes stuck in your hand. In back on the main sword blade was a smaller piece of steel. She looked at the one next to that which was more sleek and lighter. A short sword, it had on the handle two griffin heads, and at the end of the handle the head of a double headed snake. It was a bit smaller then the first, but more elegant.
"Griffin short sword."
Sally almost jumped when the man standing behind her spoke, "and first one was a Star Gladiator. Those are the two most popular. If you want anything ask." and then he walked away.
Sally stood there for a moment watching him leave, then continued to look at the swords and knives. Some were fantastically crafted and designed, like something out of a medieval story. Handles entwined with mythological beast like unicorns and dragons, wile others carried the heads of tigers, bears, and snakes. Finally after a while of looking over everything she found what she was looking for.
It had a green wooden handle with a gold and silver spikes. The blade was sleek and sharp. Underneath was the name that said Hornet Short sword.
"Good choice." said a voice from behind that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. That man was back again!!
"Thanks."
"You want to pay for it now?" he asked.
"Yes that would be fine."
He pulled out a key ring with about twenty keys dangling from it and stuck one in the cabinet key hole. It opened with a click and he took out the Hornet Short sword and carefully took it to the counter followed close behind by Sally. The price came to about fifty dollars which pleased Sally. She lifted it up and examined the blade closely. It was sharpened to a razor edge the whole length of the steal shaft. Sally made the mistake of running her hand along the blade; at that moment a costumer in the store stepped backward into Sally and the blade sliced the palm of her hand.
"Would you like it gift-wrapped?" he asked.
~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ **~~
She did have the guy gift wrap the sword after he bandaged her hand. She placed the last few gifts under the tree and stepped back. It was a small tree, but it suited the purpose. The lights twinkled on it as she plugged it in.
"You're just running up the bill onna." came a voice from the couch.
"I don't care." she replied and sat next to him.
A small fire was burning in the fire place, and Christmas carols on every channel. It was a peaceful night, the night before Christmas Eve. Everything outside their home was covered in more fresh snowfall. Then it glowed every color of the rainbow under the Christmas lights strung up and down the street. Front yards were decorated with snowmen and their families, stars and baby Jesus. Wufei and Sally both had the holidays off this year since they had worked during them last year. Even during the holidays crime happens so some sucker has to work. Wufei handed the remote over to Sally.
"Here onna, I can't find anything besides these same old carols they play every year. You would think that by now they would have made some new ones."
Sally reached for the remote, "Who knows? Maybe there are some new ones on later .."
"Onna, what happened to your hand?" Wufei declared dropping the remote and taking hold of her hand. Blood had worked its way threw the cloth bandage and made the wound look much worse then it was. "Who did this to you?"
Sally sat there lost in the sudden feeling of Wufei holding her hand. His touch was very gentle and soft as he carefully removed the bandage. The feel of his fingertips running over the cut made her shudder and pull her hand back, but her held it snug. She willing went with him as he led her to the bathroom where he removed the first add kit from under the sink. He took out a new bandage, peroxide, and some cotton swabs.
"Hand." he demanded.
"Its not that bad really."
"Now!"
Sally held out her hand for him. He held her hand gently dabbing the cut with the cotton ball. The peroxide burned and bubbled on the wound almost the only sound in the bathroom. Sally started the feel the silence grow heavier and so did Wufei, who finally broke the quiet.
"How did this happen?" he asked.
Sally thought fast for a reason this might have happened, "ah, someone dropped a glass vase in the mall and I was helping clean it up before anyone got hurt."
"Looks like you're the one that got hurt. Hold still I have to put on a new bandage." he took a sec to examine her hand. It was smaller then his and fit nicely in his palm. Holding it he didn't want to let it go again. He bandaged up her hand and put away the first aid kit.
~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ ** ~~ **~~
Diamonds shimmered under the glass casing under the counter top. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings sat in little pink and red velvet cases around the store like fresh cut roses; and for a good reason. A sign hung by the door which read, *Bye more then fifty dollars worth and receive a dozen long stem roses white, or red.* Streamers hung from the ceiling and twisted to every corner. Wufei stood in the middle of the store looking around a bit lost. His feet had taken him there the day of Christmas Eve, the first place he went after entering the mall. He was there to do a little last minute shopping but as usual had no idea what to get. Everything in this store was just too glittery to him. One thing looked like another almost, and he turned and left.
An hour later Wufei found himself back at the store again. For some reason he kept going back there. The clerks in the store busily rushed around from one customer to another asking if they needed an help finding something. In the back he could see a women wrapping gifts for customers for a long line of people. And once again his feet walked him forward into the store.
He gazed over the jewelry display under the glass counter top. Something blue caught his eye and he moved over to the earring display. There was a tiny pair of blue earrings the same as Sally had. This gave him an idea. He was going to give Sally the best Christmas he could.
"Can I help you with anything?" a clerk asked him.
"Yes. I would like to get that," he said pointing to a pair of earring he hoped Sally would like. He wandered around the store a few times looking at one thing then another. Something else caught his eye, "and that too.."
The women paused and looked at him for a moment then retrieved the items he requested.
TBC...