Got Milk 2 - The Reunion Chapter V
[9 Years Ago]
"Lord, I still can't believe we're doing this..."
"Oh, come on, Daddy, I need to be fresh for my first day at my new school Monday!"
12-year-old Delilah is going shopping with her father, George, at the local mall. She is feeling excited, but at the same time, bittersweet. Her father got accepted for his new job, which she is grateful for, as it means more benefits for him and the family.
However, it also means leaving her old life behind; her schoolmates, her friends, and her oldest brother, 20-year old Marcus. Marcus is staying behind to finish his semester before he gets transferred to the university. In doing so, he is leaving his younger siblings; which includes Delilah, along with her other 2 older brothers, 17-year-old Jeffrey and 14-year-old Kyle.
Delilah always got along with her brothers, but their major influence on her transformed her into a female version of them. Thus, she became a self-admitted tomboy, not too eager to show her more feminine side.
"I just gotta get some new shoes, and that's it, Daddy" she says to George, who is softly grumbling behind her. "It's just odd, that's all. Who gets new shoes in the MIDDLE of the school term?" he asks.
"Maybe the girl who's father is starting his new job, forcing us to move?" Del says back, sticking her tongue out at her father. "You better put that tongue back in where it belongs, young lady" he softly says to her. Delilah quickly does what he asks. "Yes, sir. Sorry, Daddy."
"Look, I know it's all sudden and all, but this will be very good for the family. I still have to work to make sure we all get what we need... even if it means leaving our old lives behind."
"I understand... it's just gonna be hard to... to just, I dunno... accept this, I guess? Everything is changing so fast and it... it scares me, Daddy..."
"It scares me too, but at the same time, I am very excited. Change is a part of life, sweetie. But change can be good, too. You just have to keep the faith."
"I know, Daddy. I will. I promise. And besides, my best friend Sandra is here, so that's something I'll look forward to!"
George looks up and sees the JCPenney logo:
They are finally at their destination. "Here we are, sweetie. Go and get what you need. I'll be inside in about 5 minutes" George says to his daughter. "Ok, thank you, Daddy!" Delilah says back with a smile, and scurries off into the shoe store.
As Delilah walks inside, she takes a look around at all the shoes on display; Nikes, Reeboks, Sketchers, and even Adidas are being proudly showcased. But Delilah only wants one simple specific pair. She walks up to the store clerk who is placing a shoe box on top of another, stacking it. She politely says "Excuse, me, ma'am?"
The clerk turns around and sees the petite girl who is smiling at her, and smiles back "Hello, welcome to JCPenney. Can I help you with anything?"
Delilah giggles, and asks "Um... do you happen to sell converse here? I don't see any on display or anything."
"Oh, yes... yes we have them, it's just they aren't our most popular seller when it comes to girls, you know? To be honest I wasn't really expecting you to favor those."
"Hehe, you're not the only one. But I grew up with 3 brothers, so yeah... you can blame them for my choice of shoe etiquette."
"Haha, I hear ya. What is your name?"
"Delilah, nice to meet you."
"You too, Delilah. I'm Skylar. Have a seat."
Delilah smiles and proceeds to sit on the bench on the side of the store. As she sits, Skylar asks her "So... is there any kind of converse you are looking for in particular?"
Delilah ponders for a second, and nods "Yeah, um, I guess just low tops? Black and white ones?"
"Yes, we have those. What is your size?"
"Oh, I am a 5, ma'am."
"Gimme 1 sec, and I'll be right back!" Skylar says as she darts off to the back of the store. Delilah smiles, and begins to look down at the current shoes she has on, raising her left leg. Her black Van sneaker flexes itself from the movement, and Del sighs. As much as she loved those sneakers, they were beginning to fade and wither. Not an ideal choice for her upcoming first day at her new school.
George walks into the store, and sees his daughter sitting on the bench. Walking towards her, he signals for her attention. "Everything ok, sweetie?" He asks her, and she nods back. "Yes, it's all good. Just waiting for the lady to bring me back a pair of converse."
"Hahaha, converse? Wait until Jeffrey hears this. He's gonna think you're cramping his style!"
"Hehe... maybe I am. Or I'm making it better!"
As George laughs at Del's quip, Skylar the shoe clerk re-enters the store while carrying a shoe box. "Hello there, sir, welcome to JCPenney. I'll be right with you!"
"Oh, no need, ma'am. I'm just checking in on my daughter, that's all."
"Ooooh, Delilah is your daughter? She is really sweet, sir." Skylar says, making Del slightly blush.
Shaking his head, George chuckles and says back "You should see her at home then. Hahahaha."