Rainy Thursdays were not busy days at the mall. The cavernous corridors frightened Eve. She clutched Tim's arm so hard his fingers tingled. Despite her anxiety, the glitz of materialism proved irresistible. She dragged him from one window display to the next, to gawk and point.
Tim wasn't sure how much of his explanations she understood, but he kept up a clarifying monologue.
When Eve spotted female mannequins behind the glass of a clothing store she stared for a long time, and then signed something.
"Sorry, Eve. I don't understand."
A passerby stopped, and answered, "She wants to know if they are biological specimens. What an odd thing to ask."
Tim recognized the middle-aged woman as the female half of the couple he'd seen yesterday, speaking in sign language at the grocery store. Small universe.
He explained, "She's not from around here."
The woman began to sign and speak aloud to Eve. "Can I help you?"
Eve stared at the woman with wide-eyed wonder, and then returned signs quickly.
The woman's expression transformed from friendly curiosity to one of confusion.
Feeling uneasy, Tim asked, "What's she saying?"
"The strangest things. She wants to know how long I've been back on our planet of origin. How long did it take me to assimilate. Do I still have a trainer. Does he make my body go nova with just his hands. Why do we all wear second skins. She learned how to make toast this morning and--"
Tim grabbed Eve's hand and pulled her into the store, saying over his shoulder, "I'm sorry. She had... a rock climbing accident, suffered a serious head injury, and hasn't recovered completely."
Thankfully, Eve didn't resist and the woman didn't follow. She stood slack jawed and watched them disappear into ladies wear.
Tim sighed with relief. "I need to learn sign language or you need to talk." He let go of her hand and strolled through the aisles toward the underwear section. "I made you go nova, huh? Well, you gave me a volcanic eruption, so that makes us even in the natural phenomenon department."
He picked up two packages of cheap, white cotton panties and then strolled to the bra rack. After placing several sizes over her shirt-covered breasts, Tim settled on 34C. "Ha! I was right. Do I know my boobs, or what?"
Eve smiled and pointed at the lacy lingerie display.
"Those are very pretty. But you don't need it and I can't afford it. You're only getting practical clothes."
She followed him into the junior's section, where Tim selected a few solid colored tee shirts and cargo shorts in different sizes.
"You're going to have to try them on." He led her to the fitting rooms, handed her a top and bottom set, pointed, and said, "Go in there and change."
Eve didn't understand.
Tim pantomimed taking off his shirt and putting on the new one.
She smiled, nodded and disappeared inside.
Realizing he forgot socks, Tim walked over a couple aisles and picked out two packages of whites.
Eve came out of the dressing room, spotted Tim over the clothing racks and walked in his direction.
He noticed she wore the new shirt, but the new shorts were still in her hand. 'Must be they didn't fit.' His eyes nearly popped out his head when she rounded the corner, naked from the waist down.
"Eve!" Quickly, he snatched the shorts and covered her up, while hustling her back into the fitting room. "You can't walk around nude in public."
She looked mystified by the rebuff.
"Put these on." Tim held out the shorts.
When she took them and tried to slip them up her legs, he saw the problem.
"You have to unzip them first." He took them back, and said, "Let your trainer show you how it's done."
Holding them up at eye level, Tim unbuttoned and unzipped the khaki shorts. "You should be wearing panties under these, but this is an emergency situation." He knelt down and tapped her foot. "Okay, step in."
With a hand on his head for balance, one dainty foot at a time slipped through each leg hole.
He lifted the shorts slowly, enjoying the view along the way. "I think these fit perfectly," said Tim, as he zipped up the fly, and allowed the backs of his fingers to trace along her warm flesh. As he buttoned the waistband, Eve's fingers massaged his scalp and pulled his head forward.
Tim lifted the tee and kissed her tummy. "All right, let's see how you look."
Stepping back, he appraised the fit and style. He gave her a wolf whistle, and said, "You are smokin' hot."
The recent intimate caress had a peripheral effect on her nipples.
"Putting a bra on you will be a crime against nature."
Regrettably, he handed her the clothes she came with. "Put these back on, while I get more of the right size, and then we'll get you some sensible shoes."
She understood, and began to remove her shirt. He took a deep breath, and left.
At the checkout, Tim paid with cash.
Eve seemed fascinated by the exchange of small sheets of paper for new clothes. When they were outside the store, she made inquisitive signs and faces, and pointed at his wallet.
"That's called money." He fingerspelled the word, M-O-N-E-Y. "People have to work for it, so they can buy the things they need. It's hard to live without."
She pressed her lips together and made an "mmmm" sound.
"Very good!" He hugged her sideways as they walked.
For a few strides, she put her arm around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder.
Steering her toward a shoe store, he pulled a pair of socks from the bag. "This place has great hiking boots. You can wear them anywhere, very stylish. Someone will have to teach you how to tie your shoelaces, though."
They browsed the shelves. Tim scanned the sturdy boots, while Eve was attracted to sandals and strappy heels.
"What is it with women and shoes? Must be genetic." He picked up a North Face day hiker, and sat down. "Eve!" Tim patted the seat beside him.
Obediently, she sat.
He handed her the socks. "Put these on."
After staring blankly at them for a few seconds, Eve gave him a weak smile and handed them back.
With a note of exasperation in his voice, Tim said, "Allow me," and knelt in front of her. After removing the flip-flops, he massaged a bare foot. "Eve, you have pretty feet, but the bottoms are really rough," he said, and ran his fingernails along the left sole.
She squeaked and pulled it away.
"You're ticklish?"
She smiled and placed her foot back in his palm.
