When Lauren arrived back in the house Renee was dressed and ready to go to work. She asked about the trouble at the restaurant but Lauren wouldn't talk about it. All she said was that it was a conflict and it's been resolved. Renee let it drop as she prepared their lunch.
Lauren noticed Renee seemed to be a bit quieter than normal. She thought it must have been the yoga since it was her first time. It took some prodding from Lauren to get Renee to actually sustain a conversation as they ate. There were quite a few lulls which wasn't the usual Renee or at least the Renee that Lauren had come to know over the past few weeks.
As they were washing and putting the dishes away Lauren asked Renee, "Do you like baseball?"
Renee thought for a moment, "I do. I played softball in high school and on a traveling team. It can get boring on television but I do like watching the games live. Why?"
Lauren smiled as she produced two tickets from her purse, "I have two seats along the first base side for today's game with the Braves. Wanna go?"
Renee's eyes widened, "Who are they playing? Oh, it doesn't matter. Sure! Wait, we aren't going to work?"
"No, I've talked with some of the staff and since you're doing so well I figured we could take some time off. We can talk about how you're progressing while we sit and watch the boys play. The game starts a little after seven so we have the afternoon to explore Atlanta. How does that sound?"
"You are the best Lauren! I'd love that." Renee hugged her mentor tightly, her melancholy mood vanished with the news.
"So, go get changed. We'll do some shopping then eat dinner downtown, nothing too fancy so wear comfortable shoes."
Renee beamed, "Not to worry, I have some in my bag upstairs."
She kissed Lauren's cheek before heading off to get ready. Lauren smiled then made her way upstairs to change. She'd thought about altering Renee's routine at work and this would be a good time to discuss how things were going and if her intern was getting what she needed from the experience.
They slipped into Lauren's car, top down and headed to town. Their conversation was light; Renee asked about the places they were going. Lauren only hinted at some of the shops and boutiques. The first stop was at Lenox Square, a high end mall in the Northern part of Atlanta. Renee was in designer heaven, stores like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and various others.
As they strolled Lauren asked about the internship and how Renee was feeling about it. Renee confessed she'd discovered it was hard work and that all Lauren's employees had been very helpful. She needed to sit down and incorporate what she'd learned into some lesson plans for the kids. She also thought about starting a garden with the help of some of the other teachers so the kids could grow their own food to use in the recipes. It would be a way of having them see how it was all connected rather than just buying things at the grocery store. She'd read that kids eat better when they help out and that in turn would help their families do the same.
Lauren thought that was a great idea, she volunteered to help out as best she could to make it all happen. As they cruised the various shops the topic slowly turned to clothes and shoes. Renee couldn't afford such luxuries on her salary so most of their time was wishful thinking. Lauren had other plans, despite Renee's reluctance to try on five hundred dollar shoes Lauren insisted she do it anyway.
Renee felt completely out of place trying on the various clothes, lingerie and shoes Lauren suggested to her. After a few outfits and some whining she finally got into the mood. Lauren helped with that by donning some of the same outfits as Renee. They would both disappear into the fitting rooms and see who would be the first one out. They giggled and laughed as they each took turns modeling and showing off to each other.
Lauren enjoyed the expressions on Renee's face as she donned designer boots, heels and various dresses, tops, skirts matching them with handbags and jewelry. She talked her into lingerie to go with everything despite Renee's embarrassment and objections. Lauren tried some on just to make Renee feel more at ease. She even took pictures of Renee modeling them with her cell phone.
At a couple of stores Lauren secretly purchased complete outfits Renee had modeled and looked especially good in. She made arrangements with the sales clerks to pick them up at a later date to surprise Renee.
From Lenox Square they headed off to Phipps Plaza doing much the same thing as Lenox Square. Renee was into the swing of things this time, trying on outfits without Lauren prodding her. She was having the time of her life even though they didn't buy anything. Lauren told her it's why they call it shopping and not buying.
They ate dinner at Davios. Renee delighted in figuring out how each course was made since she'd been a 'sous chef' for a month. Lauren thought it was funny how she picked things apart, describing them to her as she ate.
It was getting close to game time so they made their way to Fulton County Stadium. The Braves would be moving next year so Renee took a bunch of pictures prior to going in so she could say she'd been there. Their seats were two rows back from the field, just ten seats from the dugout. Renee took more pictures as the players appeared during the pre-game.
The Braves were playing the San Francisco Giants who were leading the Western Division of the National League. The Braves had fallen on hard times over the past few years and weren't doing so well.
As they sat and watched the game Renee's mood slowly changed. She'd been very happy and carefree while they were at the mall and for most of the game. Lauren noticed she seemed quieter than normal as if she were thinking about something.
She asked questions, but all she received back were short responses. Even when a foul ball landed near them Renee failed to get excited. Lauren shrugged it off thinking that Renee was just tired or on her period. Lauren almost felt alone during the ride home. Renee stared out at the scenery despite the darkness as if she were looking for something.
When they arrived home Renee thanked Lauren for such a great day then went up to bed. Lauren thought about asking her what was going on but decided not to. She was just beginning to really get to know Renee and figured if her intern wanted to talk she would.
The next day Renee was still in a somber mood. They worked out barely speaking to each other the entire time. The entire week went by and Renee hardly said a word to Lauren. It was if a switch had been turned off in her. Lauren began to worry. She called Devina a couple of times but all she got was voice mail and no return calls.
Lauren decided to head back to Lenox Square on Thursday and buy a couple of the outfits Renee had tried on. She thought maybe that would get her out of the funk she was in. On Friday, they went in to work during the morning and took off just after lunch. She figured Renee would love the clothes and be more than willing to go out clubbing wearing them. When they got home Lauren made Renee wait in the kitchen while she got her surprise together.
Lauren called down to Renee from her room, "Okay come on up."
Lauren sat on the edge of her bed as Renee cautiously walked in wondering what was going on. The two outfits were wrapped in boxes at the foot of the bed.
Renee looked at them then back at Lauren, "What's this?"
"Well, you've been a little quiet this past week so I thought we'd go out tonight and I got these for you. You looked so yummy in them when we were shopping and you've been such a delight to work with I thought I'd reward you. Don't say you can't take them; I know you said you can't afford that sort of thing. Consider them a birthday and Christmas gift. I don't care, they are yours and I'll not take them back."
Renee was floored, "Seriously? I really don't deserve this. I don't know what to say, Lauren."
