A Shopping We Will Go
"I love you too my little puddin pie. (pause) No, I love you more. No, I love you more than more than more. Well, I love you infinite plus kisses."
"Oh, god, you are a making my hangover seem more pleasant than this." Sam walked into the kitchen, interrupting her brother's intimate conversation on the phone.
Toby managed to ignore her as he continued trying to end the phone call. One more 'I love you Binky Boo' and Sam was going to throw up. Despite herself, Sam smiled. It had been about a week since Toby and Nancy made up, and it had also been that long since the Williams' nausea started. Toby had only been home for about an hour when the phone calls began. Sam estimated that this was the eighth call in four days.
She was happy for Toby though, even if his terms of endearment made her sick. Since the day she and her family made up, things had been different. Things were still rough around the edges, but, she hadn't felt this close to her family in ages. One thing was missing though, Jareth. She hadn't seen him since her blast from the past . She would think about him before bed, so that he might appear again, but it didn't help. She realized with dismay that he was probably gone , if the man in question ever existed to begin with. Sam observed the big smile on Toby's face as he put down the phone, at that moment she couldn't help but feel that he did.
"Isn't it the weather great today, Sam?"
"Toby, it is cloudy and rainy."
"Oh, well, rain is beautiful in its own way."
"Toby, stop talking about the weather as if you want to take it to a motel."
Mr. Williams chose to walk in at that moment, with Karen and Sarah close behind.
"Okay," he started, "I really don't want to know."
Mr. Williams walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup.
"So, what is everyone going to do today."
"Do you girls want to watch An Affair to Remember, I am in the mood for a tragic love story," Toby said, distracted.
His family looked at him incredulously.
"Okay, that's it, I can't take this anymore. I wasn't going to say anything, but a father has to take charge sometimes. Toby, we are going to have a guys day, today."
"Oh boy, it's male bonding time," Karen snickered.
Mr. Williams continued, ignoring his wife's remark. "I am going to take you to a football game and maybe a few bars. We are going to belch, scratch, tell dirty jokes, and stuff ourselves with chili dogs and hamburgers."
"Sounds good, Dad. But, do you think we could be home by seven? There is a movie on the Lifetime channel I don't want to miss."
"Okay, this is worse than I thought. It is going to be a long day. OUT!" Mr. Williams pointed to the door.
Toby walked toward the door, looking sheepish.
"Have fun, you crazy kids. Call if you are going to be late," Sam called out, laughing.
The Williams men waived good-bye, Toby looking confused. When the door closed Sarah piped up.
"Do you think they will play nice with the other kids?"
They all smiled and looked around, trying to decide what to do with their free day.
"Why don't we go... shopping."
Karen and Sarah looked at Sam with shocked expressions. Had those words really come out of her mouth. Jeans and tee shirt lady.
"Shopping," Karen repeated lamely.
"Yes," Sam replied, amused.
"For clothes," Sarah continued.
Sam laughed. "Yes, and I even thought I could get some highlights put in my hair. Maybe even buy a little makeup." Sam made sure to emphasize the word little. But, her Mom was already gone.
"Honey, that's great." Karen clapped with the enthusiasm of a little girl. "I can take you to the salon that I go to. We can all get facials and pedicures. Then it will be on to the shopping spree."
"Woe, Mom slow down. How are we going to afford all this?"
"Sam, I have been saving up for this day since you were thirteen. So, Sarah, are you in?"
"The day my baby sister decides to go shopping, I'm there."
"Great, I'll pull the car around." Karen did everything but skip to the front door.
"Better put your walking shoes on," Sarah directed at Sam. "The Shopping Queen is in the house."
Sam moaned, but still smiled as she went to put her sneakers on.
Four pairs of pants, eight shirts, five bras, five panties, two skirts, and four pairs of shoes later, Sam sat at one of the tables in the food court. She decided to play drama queen and claimed that she couldn't move another inch. So, Karen and Sarah took pity on her and took the shopping bags out to the car, while Sam sat in a daze.
She had to admit, even though she was more than ready to say good-bye to the mall for the next year, she had fun. In fact, she had more fun than she has had in a long time. Sam smiled despite her exhaustion. She now sipped on her iced, vanilla latte, not really paying attention to the group of teenagers that walked behind her. That is until she heard a familiar voice.
"Yeah, that guy in the record store was really hot."
Sam turned in her seat quickly, only to find her best friend staring at her in surprise.
"Sam, hi. You look great, uh, gosh, blonde highlights and a haircut, that's wow. And, is that makeup you're wearing," Cindy finished, awkwardly.
"Yeah, who would of thunk, huh, me wearing makeup."
Sam twisted a strand of her now layered, shoulder length hair with her thumb and forefinger. She looked past Cindy at her two companions. She realized she knew them casually from school. The one girl named Tori, a brunet with brown eyes, had been in her english class. The other one, Emily, a red head with green eyes, had been in her history class. She used to have lunch with them from time to time, but they were closer to Cindy. Then again, most people Sam knew were closer to Cindy.
"Uh, Sam. You remember Tori and Emily, don't you?"
"Of course, how are ya?" Sam nodded at them as they came closer.
"Great," they answered simultaneously.
"How are you," Tori asked.
"Great," Sam replied, finally putting the empty cup down.
"Great, I am glad everyone is great," Emily chimed in, lamely.
"Well, I guess we should get going," Cindy said, uncomfortably.
"Oh, yeah," Sam said, lowering her gaze.
"Uh, Cindy," Tori chimed in, "I just remembered that Mom asked me to cook dinner tonight, and it's going on five o'clock, now. I'm going to have to cut out early."
"Your Mom always cooks dinner on Saturday night," Cindy said, suspiciously.
"Yeah, well, who knows how parents think, right."
"That's too bad, Tori. Well, Cindy I guess that leaves us," Emily said.
Tori gave her a warning look. It took a second, but, the light bulb finally went on for Emily.
"Oh, yeah, I promised Mom that I, um, would eat dinner tonight."
Tori rolled her eyes as she grabbed Emily's wrist and said, "It was really nice seeing you again Sam. And, you do look very nice."
"Thanks."
"Yeah, do you finally have a guy, Sam," Emily asked.
"Would you come on?" Tori pulled Emily towards the exit.
"Well, I may as well go home," Cindy said, turning away from Sam.
"Wait, Cindy, please sit down."
Cindy turned towards her friend, hearing the pleading tone in her voice. She walked numbly over to the chair and sat down.
"Cindy, I know I haven't been the greatest friend the past few years. And I fully admit that's my fault. I was so afraid to show who I really was, that I pushed the people I was closest to away. I viewed myself as a failure and thought everyone else would see me as that, too."
Cindy sat quietly, hands in her lap, staring intently at Sam. The latter decided to continue.
"I have problems that I am trying to work out, and I need you as a part of my life. I am sorry about everything, Cindy. I can't turn back the clock, but I can go forward. In fact, I have gone through quite a few changes since the last time we were together."
"You've changed in a week," Cindy said, with an amused smile.
"Hey, miracles do happen," Sam giggled, the tension finally easing.
"Oh, Sam, I have missed you. There is a part of me that is still angry, but, what kind of friend would I be if I turned my back on you now. In fact, I shouldn't have left to begin with. I should have told you what was bothering me a long time ago. Then, maybe we could have avoided this."
"Maybe so, but there is still no way of knowing if that would have worked. I can be pretty strong willed."
"Samantha Elizabeth Williams, never." Cindy brought a hand to her mouth, mockingly.
"Very funny, Cindy. I should have let that girl, Jo, pulverize you."
"Oh, god, every time I hear that name I shudder. Do you know if she has gotten out of juvi yet?"
Sam laughed, feeling more content then she had in a long time.
"Are we okay, Cindy."
"I think we will be, Sam."
"Why don't you sleep over tonight. We can order pizza, talk about guys. I can even show you my new clothes. It will be just like old times."
"You bought new clothes! No jeans?"
"Not even one thing with denim." Sam smiled enthusiastically.
"You have gone through a lot of changes. So, do you think your parents will mind?"
"I don't think so," she said, as she saw her mom and Sarah coming toward them with lattes in their hands. She noticed them break out into grins when they saw Cindy.
"In fact, they will probably throw a parade in your honor."
Ripper101:Thank you. You made me blush. I appreciate your continuous encouragement. Whatever you do, please keep them coming.
Willow-Sama: I am curious. How much caffeine did you have before you posted? That said, I find your enthusiasm, refreshing. Your reviews, albeit, pleasantly insane, were enjoyable. Thanks and I hope you continue reading.