So here we are, at the crappiest mall of all time, Christmas shopping. Britt convinced me to escort her to purchase a few last minute gifts. She is clinging to my hand and using her other to pet the kittens in the pet store while I watch the proverbial clown car of uggos, fatties and dirtballs who inhabit our shithole town meander though the mall. It's at that moment I grin, realizing I'm holding hands with the sexiest person in the mall, hell, in all of Lima probably.
Still, there's something romantic about this place at Christmas time…the decorations and carolers always get Brittany excited like a little child. She has way more passion for the holiday than I do; most Christmases in the Lopez house are spent fighting for the entire day until dinner is served. Honestly, the only thing I'm looking forward to this Christmas is giving Brittany the gift I bought her ten minutes a go while she was in the bathroom. It was hard to hide the silver diamond studded heart pendant in the pocket of my black pea coat…when her hand brushed against it on the bench when we were sharing our ice cream she asked me what the block in my pocket was. I told her it was my garage door opener. She nodded acceptingly and kept lapping at the ice cream. I don't even have a garage.
"San, isn't this one cute?" she says, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, well they're kittens. They're all cute," I reply.
"I really like this white one. I want to buy him,"
"Your mom will freak out, Britt,"
"But he's so cute,"
"You still have Lord Tubbington…won't he be just a little upset?"
"Serves him right for going through my things," she replied. I love the side of Brittany that had never come in contact with reality. The side that made her think things like unicorns were real and her cat was reading her diary. It made her seem so innocent compared to the rest of us at school.
"Come on, Brit. We better get going if we want time for sweet lady kisses before I drop you off,"
"Bye, buddy. Santa will find you a good home, I promise," she whispers to the kitten before we shuffle toward the door.
I see him before Brittany does. She's trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue as we walk hand in hand to my car. There's a man walking toward us quickly with his hood up. I try to tell myself he's just cold and in a hurry. It's dark and I can't see his face very well. I tighten my grip on Brittany and try to pull her to my car quicker. He walks up to us. I swallow hard.
"Hi," Brittany says sweetly.
"Give me your bags," he grumbles.
"But I bought these things…they're for my family," she replies. He pulls out a knife slowly, but purposefully. Brittany's expression turns from confusion to fear instantly.
"Look, take what you want, but don't hurt her, okay?" I plead.
"Turn around, lean up against that car. Hands on your head," he directs me, pulling the knife away from where it dangled inches away from Brittany's abdomen and pointing it at my throat.
"Okay…okay…" I reply, putting my bags down in front of him and turning around. My hands tremble uncontrollably as I put them on top of my head, praying for my life. I can feel his breath on my neck. He smells of stale cigarettes and coffee. I pray he won't find the necklace I bought for Brittany in my pocket. He holds the cold steel of the knife against the back of my neck and just as quickly pulls it away. I feel like I'm going to vomit.
"Jewelry," I hear him say, farther away now. Brittany is sobbing behind me as he strips her wardrobe for parts.
"Why are you doing this?" she cries.
"Brit, shh. Just do what he says, okay?" I beg her.
"Better listen to her, blondie," he says, and I hear fabric tear. I turn my head subtly, seeing that he ripped Brittany's favorite scarf in anger. His eyes catch me watching him and I turn quickly, hoping he won't take it out on Brittany. I hear his footsteps approaching me.
"Please leave us alone…just take our stuff, we won't tell. Please,"
He says nothing, but grabs me by my hair and pulls my head back against his chest. He holds the knife against my cheek. My breath is trapped in my throat, and Brittany is hysterical behind me. I want nothing but to protect her.
"Do you think this is a joke?" he asks, his hot breath and rancid saliva splattering my ear. I nod my head from side to side, unable to speak at. He uses one hand to keep the knife's pressure on me, and the other to start taking out my earrings.
"Empty your pockets," he says. I am too terrified to move. He uses his now free hand to grab my head again and slams me face first into the rear window of the car I've been leaning against. I feel my nose break instantly. Before I can even shake it off, he knees me in the back. I drop to my knees, completely winded.