A Starling's Awakening

Shopping

Bret was gone for his weekend with the National Guard. Robert and Helen had left for the weekend. They wanted to get away just to get away, so the boys were staying in our home. Saturday afternoon, Shannon dropped by to visit Josh. Ruby was grading assignments, and Raina was out with friends.

I had been nursing Paul since he was born. He was growing fast, and my milk production wasn't keeping up, so I needed to start buying formula. After lunch, Barney and the boys were watching college football, so I decided I'd go shopping.

Shannon asked, "Elise, may I go with you?"

"Not interested in the game?"

"Boring. I can help you with Paul while you are shopping."

"Okay. I could use some company anyway." She changed Paul before we left.

We went to a grocery store Shannon recommended. She said they have a great selection of formulas.

"So how are things between you and Josh?"

"Going fine, I guess."

"You don't sound confident."

"I keep catching him looking at other girls."

"He's a boy. They can't help it. It's a biology thing. I'm sure he looks at you, too."

"He does. Sometimes it's a little creepy. It feels like he's undressing me with his eyes."

"Shannon, Josh is at that age. His hormones are as messed up as yours are. Boys have very little self-control at that stage. He will grow out of it."

"Does Bret ever undress you with his eyes?"

"No, he uses his hands."

I had no intention of saying that out loud. It just slipped out. Shannon looked deeply shocked. I must have been cherry red with embarrassment. After a few moments, she began to giggle. That caused me to start laughing. I had to pull over and stop. We both laughed so hard it hurt.

I was glad that Shannon was with me at the store. The selection of formulas was overwhelming for me. She explained each one. She told me which ones would be appropriate for Paul. I took four canisters. We shopped for other groceries while we were there.

Shannon said, "I've been focusing on eating as healthy as possible. I want to get into running."

"You want to be able to outrun Josh?"

"I can already do that. I want to compete in cross-country when I get into high school."

"Why cross-country?"

"They compete in some beautiful places. State parks, hiking trails, along river banks. Not just on those rubber tracks at other schools."

"Are you going to try to talk Josh into joining you?"

"He only wants to work. He wants to get his first job as soon as possible, so he can start saving for a car, and a house."

"That does sound very responsible."