Everyone drove to the mall. Almost everybody, that is. Our contest winners were going to the mall, but we were going in different directions. Mary Anne, Stacey, Kayla, Dawn, Mallory, Jessi, Claudia, Kaylee, Kristy, Shannon, Logan and I all went. So far this entire time our guests were out here in Milwaukee, Shannon seemed to be the quiet one.
"Let's split up and meet back here at the door," suggested Kristy.
"Good idea, Kristy. I guess we don't need to be back here at a certain time?" I asked.
"There's no certain time to meet here, Chachi. We'll see you later," said Stacey.
"See you soon," Logan and I said at the same time.
We both watched the girls walk away from us. Logan and I were the last ones to leave.
"What do you think of your two weeks worth of having fun?" I asked.
"I'm enjoying it a lot, Chachi," Logan answered as we walked around the mall.
"Any ideas for souvenirs?" I asked.
"Let's walk around first and see what's there," Logan told me.
"Fine with me," I replied.
We both walked around for a while longer. Logan and I didn't care what the girls were doing. At least this gave me some time to know Logan a little bit better before he and his friends left for Connecticut.
"My friends and I are having fun too," I told Logan.
"I know you are," said Logan.
"Should we stop here?" I asked.
We were standing in front of a jewelry store.
"Do you want to surprise Mary Anne with something here?" I asked.
"Sure. Jewelry's expensive, don't forget," he reminded me.
"Duh, Logan. Not all jewelry is expensive. How much money do you have on hand?" I asked.
Of course it was a rude question, but it was too late to take those words back.
"I still haven't spent it yet, but a souvenir is a great idea, Chachi. I have about fifty dollars with me," answered Logan.
"It looks like you have enough for now. Maybe with this piece of jewelry, it would be something for Mary Anne to remember the rest of her life," I said.
"Let's look around here first. Do you think the girls found anything they wanted to bring home? You had a good idea, Chachi, but I'm not so sure about 'the rest of her life' thing," replied Logan.
"Well, let's walk around first and see what you like to surprise Mary Anne with," I told Logan.
He didn't say anything, so we started walking around the store.
"May I help you gentlemen with anything?" asked a young man.
Logan and I studied him. He looked like he was a sophomore in college, but it was hard to figure out. He had light brown hair and blue eyes. Today, his name tag told us his name was Jim.
"What would be a good ideal surprise be that's not expensive? I thought you could probably tell me what a good choice will be. I have a girlfriend and I'd like to surprise her with something," Logan told him.
"I'll see what I can do for you, young man. Would she like opals, sapphires or pearls?" he asked.
"What do you have?" I asked.
"Follow me," he told us.
So we did. Logan and I looked at the cases in front of us. All of the pieces looked beautiful, but it was up to Logan what he wanted to purchase. We looked some more.
"Would Mary Anne like something over here?" I asked.
Logan came over so he could have a look around.
We both looked some more. The prices were too high on some of the jewelry pieces we looked at for a while. Logan kept looking to see what would be perfect for Mary Anne.
"Don't forget I have only fifty dollars with me," Logan reminded me.
"I haven't forgotten," I told Logan.
Logan asked, "Sir, do you have anything for less? I am not around from here, but it was my friend's idea I pick out a piece of jewelry that is at the right price?"
"I believe I do. Follow me," Jim told us.
So we did.
"I didn't bring a lot of money with me to pay for an expensive piece of jewelry and can't send it back," said Logan.
"I understand," he replied.
He opened one of the cases in front of us so both of us could have a closer look.
"What do you think Mary Anne would like?" I asked.
"Not sure. How about this?" he said, pointing to a necklace.
"Is this necklace for sale?" he asked Jim.
"No, it's not, but if that's what you want to purchase, that's fine with me," he told us.
"I'll take it," Logan said and took out a twenty dollar bill so Jim could put it in a small bag. Logan even took the receipt and we were on our way. As Logan and I took a closer look at the necklace. It was gold and silver. I liked it.
"Is that real?" I asked.
"I think so, Chachi. Mary Anne would like the heart on this for sure," answered Logan.
"So do I," I replied.