Chapter 15: Clothes Shopping.

Kim wasn't waiting for Ron when he finished dressing. He didn't expect her to be. He did his best to calm himself down while he walked home. Once home, Ron dropped off his workout clothes, jumped on his scooter and made for the mall. Once at the mall it was straight to Club Banana, where he ignored all of the other salespeople until Monique was free. "Hey Monique," he greeted her, "I'm in desperate need of a fashion genius. Know of any within, say, two feet of me right now?"

Monique had to laugh at him. "What can a I do for you, Ron?"

Ron pulled out the money he had set aside for this little venture. "Here is my budget. What can you do with this goofy, weird lump of adolescent insecurity within the confines of this cash, this store, and one hour?"

Monique counted the money and gave him a long, mischievous look. "You know, I've been hearing about a certain blonde wrestler who's been seeing a certain brown-haired clarinet player for a couple of weeks now." She motioned him to follow her to the Men's Section.

"Do tell, any juicy rumors?" He asked. Ron was surprised that he liked playing this little game with her.

"Rumor has it that he's a real gent, and she's crushing on him big time."

"Sounds interesting, anything else?"

"Yeah, this blonde wrestler just might be at the point where he wants to go beyond casual dating and see about being her bona-fide boyfriend."

"Oooh, that sounds hot! Think he's got any chance at it?"

"I'd say so, if certain mutual friends can be believed. She's got it bad and he can really make her laugh and feel special. Now, if he were to show up with these slacks and this shirt, it sure wouldn't hurt."

"Show up with them, or show up wearing them?"

Monique laughed. "Wearing them, of course! Now, if rumor is true, tonight is going to be date night."

"Rumors might be true!"

"Rumor also has it that these two like the dinner then a movie thing, followed by a quiet walk back home."

"The wrestler definitely does, and I...er…he hopes that the clarinet player does as well."

Monique smiled again, continuing to lead him through the section. "Rumor says that she does. Anyway, the wrestler's budget also includes some nice shoes and this oversized coat." She held up a stylish black parka a couple of sizes too big for him. "It's going to be chilly tonight, so if the wrestler and the clarinet player were to find themselves, say in the park, a big, baggy coat on the wrestler might keep them both toasty."

"I like the way you think, expert."

"Part of the job, now get your skinny butt in the dressing room. I know you couldn't tell a good fit from bad one, so put 'em on and let me size you up."

"You want to size me up? But Monique, I think of you as a friend!"

"Just put on the clothes! And Ron?"

"Yes?"

"Good luck."

"With the fit or the girl?"

"Ron!"

"Putting them on."

Monique saw Ron off, with more good-natured banter. She had to chuckle. Ron might be a goof and a klutz, but he was a great friend. He was also lonely in the female companion department so she hoped Sue and he would become an item. On her next break, she grabbed her cell, found some privacy, and called her best bud.

"Hey girlfriend, you free tonight? You ARE? I thought you and….. OH REALLY, need a shoulder? GOOD, I'm off at eight, wanna meet for dinner at nine? Oh and Kim, I've got some REALLY great gossip for you!