Page 34 of Promises to Keep

CHAPTER 20 - MAGNUS

Lochie and I walked down the block tae a small corner store. I stood in the doorway first, as I liked tae do, takin’ in the sight: so much food and ale and whisky stored within the four walls. The fancy wrappings, the bright colors, and funny words, twas a marvel how this culture, this world, had harnessed food production: they could feed millions and hae food left over.

I glanced at Lochie standin’ beside me, his eyes wide. “Tis all for the takin’?”

“Ye hae tae buy it. But aye, if ye hae the money ye can take everything.”

“Och, we want it all, I think, sort it later.”

“Tis nae that easy, we must carry it tae the jump spot deep within the park, so we will hae tae make it a sensible plan. Kaitlyn told me I must get gifts for Sean and Lizbeth and the bairns as well, so I must be verra sensible.”

Lochinvar went straight tae the liquor section and had two bottles of whisky under his arms, the proprietor of the store giving him mistrustful glances. I grabbed a bottle of bourbon, and a vodka with a bit of lime, and two bottles of pre-mixed margaritas. I grabbed a box of salt, thinkin’ we could use it for the drinks but then take it tae the kitchen.

I gestured for Lochie tae follow me tae the counter, we placed them there and I told the man, “We are goin’ tae want more.”

Lochie went tae the cookie aisle and pulled boxes of Oreos off the shelf. Three. Then he went tae the chip aisle and grabbed big bags of tortilla and potato chips. I went tae the candy aisle and filled m’arms with chocolate, sour sugar treats, and gum. Lochinvar found a bag of candy sticks. I unloaded the sweets on the counter and the man asked, “Do you need boxes?”

“Aye, and dost ye hae hardware?”

He pointed tae the far wall, and left tae get boxes from the back while I collected rolls of duct tape for Sean and Liam, and a few flashlights and Zippo lighters for all the men. Carryin’ it all tae the counter I passed first-aid kits and picked up three, and some aspirin along with Vitamin C for scurvy. Lochinvar called from the counter. “This smells verra good!”

“What is it?”

“Perfume!”

“Put it on the pile, one for each of the women. What is this?” I held a small bottle out for the man behind the counter.

“Energy shots.”

I considered it, but as I wasna sure what it was I decided against it.

I picked up some rubber bands, then noticed an aisle of toys and found stuffed bears wearin’ top hats, and shirts that said, ‘I love NY.’

I took all of them for the cousins. Some of the boys were much too auld for stuffed bears but I thought they might enjoy the novelty of it. I tossed some water pistols on top of the pile and a rubber ball.

I paid for it, then asked the proprietor tae hold it for me once he was done packing it, and then went next door tae a green grocer and bought fruits and vegetables and had them packed in three more large boxes, along with steaks, more salt, pepper, ten pounds of sugar and many small bottles of spices.

I ended with a large stack of boxes.

Lochinvar and I gazed upon them. “Och how will we carry it?”

The grocer asked, “Where are you living?”

“At the Park Lane hotel.”

“Oh, yes sir, I will have it delivered to you right away, sir.”

Lochie took one box of Oreos, tae eat from, as he and I returned tae our rooms.

* * *

It was dark when Kaitlyn and I got dressed in basic eighteenth century clothes, something we haena done in a long time.

Kaitlyn said, “I’m so excited, I haven’t seen them in so long!”

“I saw them just recently, when I was trying tae get tae yer timeline in the thirteenth century, so the visit was full of fear and disappointment. I am looking forward tae seeing them again with ye alongside.”

We met our grocery delivery downstairs, and I bought the flat-cart from the grocer, and tipped him enormously. Kaitlyn said, “What the hell? This is so much stuff!”

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