Sillies

Friday, January 28, 2005

Collette had seen little promise in that Thursday. After work, however, Mom, Rose, and Linnea had picked her up and handed over a Styrofoam bowl of whipped chocolate ice cream from Ally’s. It was like air, it was so light, but she left the last few spoonfuls for Linnea, who had already had her bowl but was dying for a bit more.

Then, back in the apartment, she slipped on her white-knit duster, so clean it squeaked when she moved her arms. And while fresh white bread baked, she sat, ready to study, but never quite got around to it.

At work there was little to do but mind the sore in her mouth, ignore her aching jaw, and busy herself quickly past the four hours. A small catalog came through the mail entitled, “Trader Joe’s” in West County, a specialty grocery store, advertising: fresh tulips, Shepherds bread, chocolate cakes, French market wines, blueberry tartlets, chocolate covered peanuts, oatmeal, authentic Japanese appetizers, Belgian butter cookies, slab apricots, organic hummus, Asian mushroom blends, berry blends of cherries, raspberries, Marion blackberries, and blueberries, spicy India relish, stuffed pork chops, Hass avocados, New York Cheddar (aged eighteen months), organic romaine hearts and artichoke hearts in water, roasted almond butter, Gala apple juice, large whole cashews, and extra fine green beans.

After work, Carrie-Bri picked her up on the way to work. She had made a plate of warm chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for a friend at work, Stacie Tops, whose mom had just had surgery. They slipped by Dierbergs as well, to select a lovely basket of yellow and lavender daisies. Then they each had a glass of lemonade while Collette studied and Carrie-Bri watched “Little House”.

“Ahhhh… yuck! Oooooh, gross,” Carrie keeled over on the couch when she saw Mary and Adam kiss. “She’s fifteen! Oh, disgusting!”

It seemed to be the kind of evening for an adventure. Originally it had looked to be a rather boring weekend. But Collette had made plans. First, there would be a pizza and cheesy bread once OLeif arrived. They would pick it up together after she got the mail and once she had bought a CD of Scottish and Irish tunes for Dad’s birthday (which was the following Saturday). There would even be a movie with popcorn and soda back at the apartment. It was cold, and snow was coming.