so much history in these streets // Phan

Living//Alive

When I pulled him along with me, he almost tripped and fell on the sidewalk. Something tells me this happens a lot, considering he immediately said "damnit not again" before he was halfway to the ground.

We walked to a local supply store where we looked for crayons, notebooks, a load of stickers, and a few white folders.

"What color notebook should I get? This blue is like Lucy's shirt, while this one is more of a sky blue on a spring day at about 2:37-"

"Lad they're both blue. You still watch Charlie Brown? How old are you?"

"Hey don't knock it till you try it!" he smiled brightly.

"I tried it when I was five, I sticked to books. That dog is way too irritating, he reminds me of myself when I was eleven."

A mother with her child walks by us, nagging her daughter to stop touching things in the store. She wore a blue dress the color of the sky, with pink detailing. Her blonde hair barely passing her shoulders, my goodness she was adorable.

"Cindy, would you stop running around? You're going to knock something over!" Her mum was too late as the little girl tripped over her own feet, knocking over a box of books on a shelf. She fell over with a squeal, immediately bursting into tears once she opened her eyes to a puddle of literature surrounding her.

"Oh Cindy now look at what you did! I can't ever take you anywher-"

Before I would react Phil was next to the child in a matter of seconds, helping her pick up the books, and greeting the mother.

"Thank you young man! So considerate! Don't mind her, she's a little crybaby, is all," she says smiling slightly.

"She's adorable! I don't think she meant any harm, clumsiness happens to the best of us! I'm Phil, nice to meet you guys, I don't know why I haven't seen you guys in town before," he says shaking the mother's hand. He then crouched down in front of the little girl and extended his hand, and her small hand comes to meet it.

"I'm Mary, and this is my little girl Cindy! We just moved here a few weeks ago, and now that everything is fixed up at home, we're looking around town," the mother says, and Phil is nodding his head, listening attentively.

Phil looks at the little girl and smiles.

"How old are you sweetie pie?" I have to turn around and cover my mouth to stifle a laugh because of how weird he sounds.

"I'm this many!" she beamed, holding up 4 fingers.

"She's actually three. Her birthday is this weekend, we're buying a few things for a little party we're having," her mother adds.

"Mum!! Don't tell them I'm three," she then turns to us and says "I'm a big girl!"

"I'm sure you are, how wonderful!" He leans down and puts his hand on the toddler's shoulder.

"I bet you'll have an amazing birthday!" Phil's smile is bigger than my future.

Cindy squints for a second, finger on her chin, mumbling to herself.

"Mum can Phil come to my birthday party??" Cindy says tugging on her mother's dress.

"Sweetie, we just met the young boy! I assume he has things to do this weekend anyway honey."

"I think I can make arrangements for Cindy, you're so old!" Phil says sticking his tongue out, he really has no shame when it comes to children.

"Well then! Let me find a pen and paper and I'll write down everything you need to know!" While her mother reaches in her purse, I feel a tap on my leg.