Adventures in Shopping

ADVENTURES IN SHOPPING

by Maureen Renard

This is the ongoing story of two women.  Suzanne and Violet.  Friends for a long time,  they are now in their forties and life has given them some time to do as they wish.  And they wish to shop.

Part 4

Christmas is over. It’s the 26th and Suzanne needs a break from the kids and the buzz of the holiday. She phones her buddy Violet and gets her answering machine

Suzanne: Hey Vi, you there? Well, when you get back from wherever you are, call me. I’m needing a shopping trip real bad and you know you’re the one I’m taking with me. Call me. Bye.

A half an hour passes and Violet calls.
Violet: Hey, pick-up the phone goofball. It’s me, Vi. I just got
Suzanne: Hang on a sec. I just ran in from the garage. The windstorm blew a couple gallons of water in under the door and I was mopping-up. Let me catch my breath.
Violet: You ok?
Suzanne: No. I’m in Christmas withdrawal and I need a break. Jim’s parents left this morning. It was hard letting them go. Jim’s Dad isn’t doing so well. Say a little prayer for him. He goes in for tests Monday. He’s having trouble with his macular degeneration and it’s worrying us that it’s getting worse. He had laser surgery a couple of years ago, but it doesn’t stop its advancement entirely. So pray ok?
Violet: You know I will.
Suzanne: Enough of the icky stuff. You up for a little distraction?
Violet: Does the Pope wear a beenie?
Suzanne: Very funny. Of course he does and it isn’t a beenie. It’s a scull-cap.
Violet: Oh, that’s so much better. A scull-cap? How about a brain hat?
Suzanne: Hey, don’t be disrespecting my friend John Paul.
Violet: Ok, ok.
Suzanne: So where to?
Violet: Well, there’s the BIG MALL. There’s the MINI-MALL, then there’s downtown. Oh, let’s go downtown. It’s so pretty with all the lights and it’s sort of drizzling but that makes it cozier when we find a sweet little place to have lunch. That ok with you?
Suzanne: Sounds like a plan Stan.
Violet: I’ll be at your house in an hour.
Suzanne: An hour. What are you going to do? Give yourself a perm?
Violet: No smart--
Suzanne: Be nice, the kids might be listening.
Violet: I was going to say, smart aleck. Have a little trust, why don’t you?
Suzanne: Sure you were. Anyway. Come on, how about a half-hour. I’m desperate.
Violet: Don’t you want to shop with me smelling nice, or not so nice?
Suzanne: Well, if you put it that way, I guess I’ll have to wait for you. But hurry, ok?
Violet: Forty-five minutes flat, from right now to your door, promise, or I buy lunch.
Suzanne: You’ve got yourself a deal. The clock’s ticking, so get your butt going. See ya.
Violet: Bye. 

The girls arrive downtown and it’s a welcome respite from the hustle of the past few days. Lots of colorful sale signs in the windows have replaced some of the seasonal decorations, but all the trees still have tiny sparkling lights, and there is a sweet mingling of coffee and cinnamon scents in the air.

Suzanne: Do you have many exchanges and returns to make?
Violet: None this year. We decided to buy things together for each other and we had rock-solid wish lists from the kids. They were both thrilled with their gifts.
Suzanne: Same here. We didn’t spend quite as much as we have in past years but the kids are getting older now and we went for more books they’ve been wanting to read. Our big present was a three-day ski trip to Tahoe in late January. They were thrilled and didn’t seem to mind a few less packages to unwrap. As a matter of fact, it looked like Wal-Mart under the tree as it was. It was a great day. And the tortellini we all made together were so great. I’m so thankful I have a Cuisinart. It has been my workhorse along with my KitchenAid Mixer for years and years. Do you have them too?
Violet: Yeah, but I don’t cook as much as you do. Remember me? I’m the reservation queen. I take great pride in supporting the restaurant economy in town. That and Harry and David. Oh my gosh, they have the most incredible snacks and desserts.
Suzanne: You really should try cooking more.
Violet: Why?
Suzanne: I don’t know. Just little things…..like SAVING A MILLION DOLLARS.
Violet: Don’t shout. What will the shoppers and all those dozing people in there at the café think?
Suzanne: Speaking of cafés, isn’t it time for lunch yet?
Violet: I knew I should have made a dash for Ross-Simons. Now I’m sunk.
Suzanne: Well, we have been here for the requisite hour before we can stop to eat something. I could have made lamb sandwiches and brown-bagged it.
Violet: Ick. You know I hate lamb.
Suzanne: I keep telling you, you haven’t eaten lamb until you’ve tasted my marinated and grilled leg of lamb. It’s wonderful.
Violet: And I keep telling you, I HATE LAMB. PERIOD.
Suzanne: Now who’s shouting?
Violet: Ok, ok. What was it? My riboflavin levels must be low? You’re so whacked Suz. Let’s go get some lunch over there. It looks perfect. Cozy, warm and they have killer desserts.
Suzanne: Lead the way, my friend.
 

To Be Continued...