When we arrived at my Aunt's place, I was shocked. I always knew my Aunt lived differently than my family had but I didn't know it was to such a certain degree.
Apparently, according to family lore, my mother and father lived in this very city. Then, my sister came along, and the plan was not to have any more kids, as there was no space. Well, then came my brother. So, they moved to the 'burbs.
Apparently my Aunt noticed me staring at her apartment complex. I heard that same, not as full of heart as before laugh. "I know it's a lot but you'll get used to it. The view from the top floor is amazing. "
Haha, most likely I won't. I'm going to have to take an elevator. Also known as death traps from hell. I shuddered at the thought. I had been claustrophobic since I was young, but I have no idea why. I've never let it take over my life, but if possible I would avoid small spaces. Who wouldn't avoid their fear if they could? I am only human after all. Batman was afraid of bats, and called himself Batman to embody the fear. Maybe I should go to this new school and introduce myself as small-space woman.
Maybe this is why I was never exactly miss popular. Also I spent days hitting popular people. Fuck, am I gonna miss that. Most of the people in my old school knew not to give me shit, and that was all I wanted. I didn't want to have to go to school every single day and be given a hard time; it never interested me.
The elevator ride was honestly not as bad as I would like to admit. It didn't stop or make any questionable noises, so that made me happy. I just wanted the movers to move my stuff. At least they weren't moving a bed, they were moving things that belonged to two teenagers basically. As I find myself watching them again, a thought occurred to me.
I wonder if these movers know that they don't move stuff, they move people's lives. They moved the box with all my birthday cards in in from since I was born, and some of my papers and projects so far. They moved the box that contained my ceramic black dragon box that had been holding my flash drives and the little jewelry I have since I was thirteen. They move peoples wedding albums, and the baby pictures of their children. Yet they only get paid minimum wage. Isn't that something?
By the time I break away from my inner thoughts, the movers are basically finished bringing everything up. After they finished and left, I can't help but feel awkward. I stand in one spot, Tookie's black leash clutched in my hand. He sits on the floor and looks around is new surroundings, nose high in the sky.
"Sit down, relax! Get comfortable. I'm gonna make dinner. Do you eat meat?" My Aunt asked as she smiled at me.
"Yeah, I do. Jessie was the vegetarian of the family," I say as I sit down on my Aunt's couch. Again, it's white. I think everything this woman owns is either white or silver. Better then pink.
My Aunt smiles and walks away, shaking her head. "Just like her mother."
It feels good to actually eat again, I hadn't been eating very much for the past few days. I'm glad I did eat though, I know it isn't healthy to not eat. I've never been the girl to eat little so I could stay skinny. I was healthy, and that was all that mattered. If anyone had an issue with my weight, they could take it up with the government.
"Hey, is there a pet store near here? I need to go get Tookie some food, he has enough to last him maybe a day, and he has days he decides to pig out," I said as I glanced at my dog who, with my Aunt's permission, claimed his bed on the couch. Why he would pick to sleep on a pillow I have no idea but whatever floats his Tookie boat I guess.
'"Sure, you need money or are you good?"
"I'm good, I used to work back home you know. I'm a saver, not a spender. Thanks for dinner," I said before I walked over to my dog. Time for our first outing in this new place.
Well, I should have let my Aunt take me and not wanted to bother her. It took me about an hour, but I found the pet shop. I just had to walk through the park. I've never been the best with finding places my first time, but I remember places I go pretty well. It just takes me forever to find them that first time.
I learned it was a pet store you could bring your dog in from my aunt, and I got welcomed by a few other dogs who looked at mine like he was a rat or a bunny. I strolled around for a while, just taking everything in. About five minutes of my walking, I encountered a store clerk who explained how the pet shop worked. It surprised me, as most companies keep things hush-hush. After that, the clerk moved on and went on about their day.
I discovered that they had a spot for the food I needed, but apparently it had been bought out. I hoped they had more in the back, or I would either have to buy him something else, or buy him the same brand but not puppy food. I didn't want to really switch the brand around, or buy him normal dog food when he wasn't old enough. So, I decided to go to that same clerk I found earlier. The place was almost empty now, so I doubted they were busy. Even if they were, I didn't mind waiting.
When I found the clerk, she was standing at the counter with another woman who had amazing red hair. I cursed under my breath in envy, someone had pigment in her family. As I stopped looking at the woman and at what they were selling, I saw Kong's, which is something I've been trying to hunt down forever at a decent price.
I walked up and stood next to the woman, but didn't stare. I did not want to seem insane. I picked up the large Kong, and then the small one. I was honestly confused here. My dog was a small dog at the moment, so small one. Yet he didn't have normal teeth, so big one. He was still in my arms, and was sniffing them with interest. He knew they were for him, but I doubt he knew what to do with them.
"What do you think?" I ask Tookie without thinking of the fact we aren't in my bedroom anymore.
The woman turned towards me, obviously thinking I was talking to her. Talking to animals isn't normal, I assume. Then again, it's good to be a little crazy. Just not out in public. "Oh, uh, I don't know, I'm not the dog person in my family, my son is. I'm having a hard enough time knowing what dog food to buy his dog," she said with a small laugh.
"Oh, its fine. I was actually talking to him, but thanks for trying to help. Maybe I could do the same? Before I got Tookie I did research on a bunch of dog food brands, so I would know what to put him on," I said, trying my best to sound intelligent. Now is my chance to redeem myself and make myself seem sane.
"Tookie, I like it," She said with a smile.
I made a mental note that maybe my name choice wasn't insane after all. Was she young enough to have read the same book? I doubt it. She looks in her mid-thirties, just a little older then my aunt. "Thanks! I named him after a dog in a book I read when I was young. It's short for Toklata."
I ended up discovering that the woman's son had their dog on the same brand as I had Tookie on, so I told her all I knew about it, which was a lot now that I had said it out loud. It didn't seem like much before. In the end she thanked me before someone came into the store, I'm assuming her husband, and helped her with the fifty pound bag.
That was nice of him. I thought to myself. I watched them leave and I realized how late it was getting. I walked back up to the counter, and saw they also had collars. I decided to purchase one of them also. I probably won't come back here for a while. I have more important things to do, so I have to limit my time spent on things like this.