Authors Note – Yes some things got changed around and altered. I've been polishing/editing some older stories that just plain sucked so if a few details are a tad different here and there, that's why.
Summary – Tommy has little patience when it comes to shopping.
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What's That?
Jason
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(Academy Sports Store)
"Jason, just pick something." Was that actually a note of irritation in the boy's voice? Well now, he does have some attitude after all. Knew all that Evil Green Ranger confidence and personality couldn't be just the spell.
Gazing over at the green clad boy, I offer my best and most patient smile. "Now, now. May I remind you whose idea it was that I go on this little outdoors adventure in the first place?" Okay so I definitely wouldn't pass up the opportunity to spend some more time with my new best friend here, but still I'm getting too much amusement out of this to just give in to his whining. And it is indeed bordering on whining no matter how adamantly he denies it.
"Yeah but…" Not seeming able to come up with a decent argument, he simply settles for a loud sigh. "I don't understand how someone can take an hour to pick out a fishing hook thing, whatever it is." Geez he really wasn't kidding, he knows nothing about camping does he?
Looking back at the colorful lures, I shrug, trying to keep a smile off my lips. "How do you expect to catch dinner if you don't have a good lure? Jump in the lake with your dagger and try to stab the fish?" Maybe I shouldn't give him ideas like that. If he's anything like Zack he just might try it.
Picking through the colorful rubber worms, he shrugs. "I'd probably get one faster that way than sitting on a rock, baking all afternoon in the sun, and holding a stick with a rubber worm on the end."
"Well if your aunt and uncle go off somewhere than by all means hop on in the lake and try your hand at skewering a fish." I wouldn't mind seeing that. Cute boy all wet and panting, hair slicked back and- "So are you sharing a tent with me or your cousin?"
Looking a bit surprised he seems to be debating. "Um, do you want to share with me?" Well there's the problem, I do but I don't think it'd be the best thing. As much as I hate to admit it, I've taken more then just a friendly liking to him and while I'd never act on such thoughts, it doesn't help to have him sleeping right next to me. Maybe I shouldn't have asked, would have been better to just assume he was sharing with his cousin and leave it at that. Still though… "It's just Alan probably won't be too thrilled to share with me. Like trying to suffocate me in my sleep not thrilled." Right so sharing with me it is.
"So I'll take that as a yes." Smiling and turning back to the lures, I pick up a shiny orange crawfish shaped one and toss it into the cart. "Now just need a sleeping bag. Unless you just want to spread a bunch of blankets out and…" Thinking better of that for the moment I think it'd be a little less awkward if I at least got a sleeping bag. I don't mind curling up beside him in the confined space, but one thing I've noticed about Tommy is psychical affection and contact makes him a little uncomfortable.
"And?" Walking beside me and looking at the shelves, he's already uncomfortable I think.
"Nothing, just thinking out loud. Come on, I think the camping stuff is down here." Heading down the tent isle, I grab a red sleeping bag from the last shelf and throw it into the cart with the lures, tackle box, and fishing pole I'd already grabbed. Good thing dad let me have free use of his credit card for this.
"Okay I guess we can-" Suddenly realizing I'm alone, I hate how he can do that. He's worse than a cat with how stealthy he can be. "One of these days I'm going to tie bell around his neck." Moving out of the isle I immediately spot him being held captive by none other than Mrs. Hart. Uh oh.
"So where do you intend to go to college?" Oh lord. Walking up to them as Kim's mother continues to grill the boy, I shake my head as he throws me a pitiful 'save me' look. This is why I told Kim not to go telling her mom how charming and cute our new friend was. Not that I used those exact words, but the message and reason why was made clear.
"I, well I really don't know. I haven't thought about it." Too busy saving the world and all that, I'm sure.
"Well you should think about it. How are your grades? Kimberly's last boyfriend was going to Harvard on a football scholarship as I recall. Do you play football? You look a little small to play. What team are you on?" Okay Beth take a breath now and then.
Taking pity on him, I move in-between them. "Mrs. Hart, how nice to see you, and looking just as lovely as ever." Kissing her hand, I make note of her perfectly manicured nails and gold bracelet, which happens to match the new golden highlights in her hair. "How was Paris? Did you enjoy the flight?"
"Jason, just as charming as ever. When on Earth are you going to spare me and propose to my daughter already?" She still after all these years doesn't seem to grasp that me marrying Kim would be like me marrying my baby sister. "And to answer your questions while Paris was as lovely as ever the flight was horrendous. We were delayed, the food was certainly not up to standards, and Eric became ill on the way back."
"I'm sorry to hear that." I am too, because it means poor Kim will have to hear it for the next three weeks. "Well it was nice to see you again, but Tommy and I have to get going. We promised his aunt we'd be back soon to discuss a little camping trip we're taking this weekend so we have to be heading back."
"Alright dear, tell your mother I said hello. It was nice to finally meet you Thomas." Heading off in the other direction towards pool supplies, she leaves us to our own devices once more.
"What is wrong with her?" Still slightly stunned and a bit flustered, Tommy looks after her before following me towards the front check out. He'll learn, after about the fifth meeting she gets a little less intimidating.
"She just wants Kim to have what she had growing up. Everything. She doesn't understand Kim doesn't want life just handed to her that's all." Moving up in the line, I glance at Tommy to see him deep in thought. "She really is a nice woman, just sort of spoiled and over protective of Kim. She know doubt thinks Kim is interested in you or something and was just trying to feel you out."
"Yeah, Kim's cool." Yes she is, she's also my friend and as such I guess I'm sort of required to help her, despite it ruining my rather interesting thoughts about you.
"Yeah, so are you going to ask her out or something? I mean I think her mom thinks you are, thus why the grilling she just gave you." No doubt Kim wouldn't mind you showing an interest in her.
"Oh, no, I don't think so." When I look back at him, pleasantly surprised, as I was sure he would go after her, he shrugs and looks like he's trying not to make a big thing out of it. "She's nice and all, but she's just not my type I guess." Wonder what your type is than. Or better yet wonder if perhaps I'm your type. Yeah right Jason, keep up the dream.
"You don't say." This could be an interesting weekend after all.
To be continued…..
