Shopping Unlucky

After having a short talk and laugh with Jared about her day, they said their goodnights and Josey went inside. Suddenly feeling tired, she decided she needed sleep to fuel her shopping trip for tomorrow.

She held in a laugh after opening their bedroom door and seeing her sister sleeping with her head laying on the desk, wide mouthed and drooling. She had a bag of snacks in one hand and a pencil in the other. Careful not to disturb her too much, Josey removed the snack bag and pencil before slowly lifting her by her shoulder and helping her over to her bed.

Emily murmured something about math then turned over as Josey covered her with the froggy printed comforter.

Going over to her own bed, Josey kicked off her slippers and snuggled under her comforter. Thoughts of the new job, the horrible new boss and Jared always popping up to help her raced through her mind before she finally slipped off to sleep.

“Jo, I’m headed out! I’ll be back late, a few of us are going to the student council party tonight to get free goodies, so I will eat there, have fun shopping, buy something nice to wear!” Josey could barely wake up to the words her sister shouted from the front door.

Yawning and rolling over, the light from Josey’s window beamed in forcefully at her face, telling her it’s time to get up. Reaching over her head and grabbing her phone, she watched it blink on to display it was already 10 in the morning, she hurried out of bed.

Having changed and waiting on the toaster to finish, she checked her bank balance on her phone. She wouldn’t be able to afford anything new, so she would just hit the second hand shops today as she calculated their monthly budget in her head really quick. Grabbing the freshly popped toast, she headed out the door.

Dressed in her fav jeans and an oversized t-shirt, she noticed Agatha walking by on the sidewalk in front of the apartments.

“Mornin Agatha! It’s Saturday, don’t tell me you’re headed to work?” She said with a mouthful of toast, noticing the older lady was in a hurry.

“Yes, dear lord, that man has me running ragged on a Saturday of all days!” Agatha said in a bustle as she stopped.

“What for? The office is closed on Saturday’s.” Josey asked her, feeling sorry for the old lady.

“Apparently, Mr. Stormway decided to upgrade the security! I can’t imagine why. We have never had a single issue since this place was built. Ridiculous if you ask me. So now here I am, having to leave my sweet ones alone for most of the day, but thank goodness for your sister, she is going to swing by later and feed them for me really quick. I don’t know when I will be done but I have to be available, so he says, to let them in and out of several apartments and the office as well.” Shaking her head and taking a deep breath as she started back to walking, Josey waved her goodbye.

Looking back at the apartments butted up next to each other, Josey thought it was odd that the new owner was taking such precautions, but shrugged it off and headed towards Cibus street.

Cibus street was located a few blocks away. It was a long strip of small outdoor vendors and shops selling all sorts of homemade goods. At the very end of the street is where the night market was usually held, selling street foods and fresh catches of the day. It sat in short running along Walker’s beach, where Josey loved to just sit and watch the waves. She wouldn’t be visiting the entire strip today though, she had too much to do.

Enjoying the warm sun beat through the cool afternoon air, Josey was in a good mood. She was almost there after stopping to help a lady that had spilt a basket of tomatoes everywhere and petting a stray or two, when her phone rang. She loved the new ringtone of a foreign artist she downloaded, the woman’s voice so melodic and enchanting.

It was Cece calling her, so Josey decided to ask her to come shopping with her.

“Hey Cece, what’s up?” Josey asked cheerfully.

“Hey, nothing much, just finished a report I’d been working on since last night, what are you up to?” Cece said sounding tired, making Josey have second thoughts on asking her to hang out.

“Oh, just headed to a few stores to shop for a new outfit..for work.” Waiting to hear Cece’s reaction, Josey held her breath.

“Huh? Work? OMG did you get the text!” Cece suddenly perked up making Josey laugh.

“Haha, yes, I sure did! I start Monday. So, since you sound more alive, do you wanna come hang out and help me? It will be second hand shopping but I promise if you survive, I’ll treat you to dinner at my place.” Josey responded sounding hopeful. She really wanted Cece’s help.

“Awe bummer, I’d really love to Jo, but I have got to get some sleep. I have book club this evening, and since it’s held only once a month, I really can’t miss..the opportunity, know what I mean?” Josey knew exactly what Cece meant. Cece was pining after a woman in her book club.

According to Cece, she was tall, willowy and just so pretty to look at. She was sure the willowy woman was her type, in that they both swung for the same fence, but only meeting once a month, Cece was slow in making a move until she was sure it was mutual.

“Okay, yea, I understand. You should just ask her out, like on a friend date. That way you can be sure. Or ask her for her number to discuss the most recent book you guys are reading. What’s it called, Wings of something or other.” Josey suggested, even though she knew Cece was not that brave, she still tried pushing her to having a semi social love life.

“Wings of Momentum, and I would but what if she doesn’t even really read it, but comes for the free food?” Cece was guilty as charged. She had originally signed up because a flyer was stuck in her door, and the large bold lettering stating free food sucked her in.

“Who cares, but it’s all up to you to make the first move. But hey, I’m here at the first place I want to check out, text me later and let me know how it goes. Get some rest and I will see you on Monday!” Josey eyed the shop as she hung up with Cece.

The shop boasted a maroon and gold sign saying ‘Second Start Sales’, its yellow tinged widows displayed used baby equipment, some dusty old shoes and a few oversized tops. Shrugging her shoulders, Josey decided to give it a try.

It only took about 3 mins of browsing for Josey to know this wasn’t the right shop to find what she was looking for. The store had massive crate like bins packed full of second hand items ranging from brown coffee stained purses to broken easter baskets. The shoes even looked as if their souls were hanging on for dear life.

Nodding at the shop’s owner who had been eyeing her since she walked in, Josey made a quick exit. Visiting stores without buying something always made her nervous, but that’s why it’s called shopping she reassure herself.

After eyeing several tables set out doors in front of shops, and the racks holding various sizes of suits, to which none would fit Josey, or were too well worn to look decent on her first day of work, Josey continued on.

There were only a handful of places to look left so determined to find something she headed into the next shop along the way. Its name boasted bright colorful green letters saying ‘Traces of the Past’, and the sub lettering in a more subdued gold read (Antiques and Clothing for the Modern Day Man).

She didn’t think it meant only men, and because there was only a glass shop door with no windows to display anything, she decided to give it a go.

“Welcome! Welcome young lady! Give me a few moments, and I will be right with you!” the old man behind the counter dressed in a white and red argyle sweater vest said as he peaked around another customer dressed in a suit. He was older, and Josey could smell cigar smoke coming from his direction.

“You’re fine, please take your time, I’m just looking.” Josey said as she eyed the back side of the customer standing at the counter. Something about him seemed familiar, but she ignored the feeling and started to look over the display cases of watches, cuff links and other ‘Men’ things that were on display.

After scanning the stale smelling shop, she realized it indeed was only for men. It held new and antique items, stacked together on shelves, all catering to the needs of men.

Figuring this place was a bust as well, she turned from the rack of men’s suits she was fingering through in hopes of finding something useful, and headed towards the door of the shop.

That’s when the customer who was being helped turned to leave and stopped, looking right at Josey. She held back surprise when she realized who it was.

“Uh..hello..Mr.Stormway.” he didn’t respond but just stared at her for a moment.