Homecoming

Chapter 7

After the breakfast change, I went shopping for the shopping center, which was located near our block. It wasn't a big or world-famous department store, but it suited me enough for my needs.

Since it was warmer outside every day, I needed to get something more suitable for myself. My wardrobe was completely useless to me. Over the last year, I have lost a lot of weight and all my clothes have just hung on to me. But if I wanted to be at least a little honest with myself, my weight was not the only reason for shopping. In a few weeks, a year will have passed since we buried my husband, and it was time to replace the black color with a lighter shade.

Why did I suddenly care? I had a little idea why, I just didn't want to admit it openly. I justified it with excuses, such as that black attracts the sun's rays, which will make me sweat more, or that my favorite black sweater has completely lost its original charm, is worn, tangled and so on.

But somewhere deep in my subconscious, I also knew the real reason. I've had enough of the gloomy black color that was killing me just like the looks of others. Automatically, if someone was in black, people deduced that someone had to die and gave that person sympathetic looks. And I didn't care about them anymore. Thank you, please!

In the first shop, I was lucky enough to buy a nice light green t-shirt and light blue jeans, in which my figure stood out nicely. The fact that I managed to buy something right away kicked me with energy. I walked from one boutique to another, looked at everything, touched the fabrics, took them between my fingers, and I immediately tried everything that caught my eye at first glance.

Two hours later, as I returned to the exit with my hands full, I saw Garrett and Jared sitting on a bench. To my surprise, my sledge almost fell. I wouldn't expect them here. I threw a wider smile than the one I already had and walked over to them.

"Boys, what are you doing here," I said. "That's a surprise."

"Kirsten," Garrett whimpered enthusiastically, wrapping his arms around my belt as always.

Jared just greeted me. I didn't take it to heart, because we didn't know each other so well, and I was already able to find out that he was distrustful of strangers. Not to blame him. It was not safe for them to talk to everyone they met and immediately trust him. There were many bad people moving around the world.

"Where are you from here? Are you here with your father?" I looked around to see if I was noticing a guy who was already glaring at me. Fortunately, no one paid any attention to us.

"We're here alone," Jared said quietly.

"What?" to my surprise, I raised my voice. "Why? Do you know how dangerous it is? You should not wander around the city alone! " I exclaimed in horror.

"We know this part well," Jared shrugged. "My father and I have been here before."

"Yes, but with my father, not alone," I pointed out this visible fact.

"Garrett needs shoes," Jared began. "Those he wore in the fall are already pushing him, and his boots are hot."

"And you came to buy them yourself?" I still couldn't believe it.

"Dad gave us money," Garrett replied.

So wait, wait!

"Did your father send you here to buy shoes?" I widened my eyes. I hope so! Does he know how many years his sons are? Wasn't he at all afraid that someone might kidnap them? To rob? Hurt them? Or that they could get lost? They could be hit by a car.... I stood there in disbelief for a while, trying to work it out in my mind.

"Yes," they both nodded.

"I have to buy too, but mine is still good for me," Jared added.

"Come on," I wanted to curse, but I stopped in the middle of the word. I couldn't afford it in front of the boys. "How old are you?"