Author's Note: This piece is a little more serious than I intended. I originally had a lighter piece but this one was finished first. I'll eventually put up the other one when I finish it.
Author's Note II: College-age...
Shopping Trips
The pants, shades and socks were all picked out by her. The shirt that I originally planned to put on was also picked out by her and even the shoes that I would have worn had I picked out the shirt I originally planned to put on was picked out by her. At this point, it's safe to say that 70 percent of the clothes I own were picked out by her. It's a scary thought at first, the taunts from the guys especially Dil and Timmy, repeat in my head like some shameless self-esteem degrading tape. When I stare at myself in the mirror, however, I know it's more than her controlling nature that dictate what I have on right now.
Random visit during her half hour break at her job sends her to the pizza parlor where I work. Munching thoughtfully on a cheese-less slice with a Snapple Apple, she merely watches me since the after school hours are usually the busiest. Then she returns smiling, blue eyes wide holding out a bag.
"I had to get this for you." She almost always says.
In some way, they always fit and I always like them. The best part, however, is the expression on her face when she sees me in the clothes that she picks out for me on these random shopping trips. Lately, I just pass off some of my own money to her just to see what else she could come up with.
Scooby-Doo boxers were the first.
Multicolored socks were next.
Paris Hilton, for men, was third.
Khaki slacks and a green pullover were the most recent. "It brings out the green in your eyes." was her answer to my unasked question.
"Are you finally ready?"
"Yes."
Lil rolls her green eyes at me. "It's just the mall. No need to get all dressed up."
"I'm wearing jeans."
"I meant it took you forever to get ready. Everyone else is at Tommy's dorm." She paused and stepped further into my room. "Did you do something to your hair?"
"Yes, I darkened it."
She touched it and grinned. "Wow, she really must be something special."
"Actually, I did this...it was all my idea."
"Whatever." she grabbed my hand. "Let's go!"
Dil and Timmy have been teasing me for the past half an hour but I'm still focused. Recovering my sense of smell from my trip to Bath and Body Works, I have two more stops before I'm ready to leave. The first stop, however, made even Chuckie laugh and surprisingly, he was the first one to speak.
"No way."
"You don't have to come inside."
Lil and Kimi have already drifted inside the brightly lit store.
Tommy is right behind them.
Dil, Chuckie and Timmy are speechless.
I am an instant celebrity within the bright pink confines that is Victoria's Secret. The dozens of bags that I am holding confirm that I am shopping for my girlfriend and I need some serious help. I can't tell the difference between demi bras and push-ups to save my soul but within minutes three saleswomen are guiding me around the store. Tommy was assaulted in the same way but Lil's death stare and her loud exclamation of 'I know exactly what I'm looking for drove them away.
$190. 34.
Wow.
A dozen oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies later, Tommy gave me the keys to his car and I'm standing in front of the office building where she works as she strolls out. The best thing I love about her is her confidence. She tosses her hair over her shoulder and her blue eyes widen as she walks toward Tommy's car.
"Hey Angie."
"Hey yourself."
"I had to get this for you." She looks into the back seat where only the Victoria's Secret bags are visible.
"I bet."
"There's more."
I'm caught off guard by the surprise on her face. Nothing shocks her...visibly at least. Recovering, she takes the cookie I offer her and opens the driver door. "Thank you."
It works, me and her, no one sees these moments. I like to think I bring out this side of her and that's why she stays with me. In the business world she plans to inherit from her mother, she has to be tough but I know that she likes to wear glittery pink nail polish on her toes and sing to Madonna in the shower. She still sneaks frosting off the cakes and steals cookies whenever she goes to Tommy's house.
I hand her the keys and get in the passengers side. "Anytime."
