Page 28 of Please Send Snow
Dylan is talking to her excitedly and I head over to see what’s going on.
They both clam up as soon as I’m in sight.
“You like thrifting?” I ask her.
She nods.
“That’s actually nice,” I tell her, eyeing the sweater. It’s pale gray and cozy looking.
“She said it’s too expensive,” Dylan says sadly.
“Really?” I ask, holding my hand out. Maybe it’s designer. I guess even the thrift shops are being impacted by the influx of New Yorkers.
She hands it over without making eye contact, and I look at the price.
“That’s not expensive,” I realize out loud. You couldn’t buy a single mitten for that price in my neighborhood.
What’s she playing at?
“Are you sure?” she asks.
“Grab whatever else you need,” I tell her, trying not to get annoyed.
I don’t like timewasters, and this little performance sure feels like a waste of time.
She slinks off into the racks with Dylan at her heels, and my phone buzzes in my pocket.
It’s my lawyer and I try not to roll my eyes as I text him back, going over the same points we go over every single time we talk. I lose myself in the conversation for a bit, and by the time I look up, she’s got an armload of clothes and they’re heading to the changing rooms.
I follow and see that it’s really just a little alcove with a curtain in front of it and a mirror outside.
I get a funny little tingle at the idea of her changing when I’m right here.
Feeling furious at my runaway libido, I move back so that the curtain is out of sight, and turn my attention back to my phone. I’ve got plenty of emails to distract me.
Then why are you waiting by the changing room for her?
Dylan is standing right on the other side of the curtain, looking super excited.
I’m probably waiting for the same reason he is. It’s kind of fun to do something nice for someone else.
I’m struck by the fact that he’s showing such generous impulses today. There’s a whole wall of toys and games in here, even a couple of bikes and skateboards, and he walked right past all of it just to help a grown woman find some warm clothes. After a moment, I hear the sound of the rings on the curtain skittering open.
“What do you think?” Maddie asks softly.
“You look snuggly,” Dylan says happily.
When she moves to the mirror I can see her.
She’s wearing that soft gray sweater along with a pair of green sweats, and Dylan isn’t wrong. She looks so cozy that I have the impulse to pick her up and hug her.
Frustrated with myself, I turn away and lose myself in my phone again.
“Thanks,” she tells Dylan. “But I don’t think your dad likes it.”
“You’re getting it,” I retort, my voice angrier than I mean for it to sound. “Just… get all of it.”
“Are you sure?” she asks.
