House of Many Doors

Prologue

"Keys," I confirmed when I felt the cold metal that rested in the pocket of my jacket.

With two fingers, I fought my skinny jeans for the twenty-dollar bill it gripped.

It was only when I saw the heavily wrinkled Andrew Jackson that I yelled, "Heading to the store!"

Barely a song in and I turned on my indicator; my car flashed orange to the side facing the supermarket. It just stood there, on the corner of Dale Pike and Palms Road. My car greeted me with a beep-beep and I entered the store.

Air conditioners; I felt them. The artic freeze infected my skin, giving me the common case of the Goosebumps. I violently rubbed my exposed arms in a lame attempt to warm them. I only stopped to read the shopping list, poorly written on my hand. After a long minute I deciphered the hieroglyphics to: Gummy Bears, Snickers and Skittles.

I made my way to the counter. 'Hello my name is Candice' gave me a judgemental look when I only wanted to buy a variety of sugars.

I shrugged and clarified, "Cravings."

Her size zero body told me that she didn't understand but my size four figure happily took my beloved items.

"A girl's gotta eat," I said under my breath.

The doors opened and I walked into nature's intended temperature. I left Candice and the overworked air conditioners and hurried to where I parked. I rushed with the plan to devour the Snickers in the safety of my car. My quickened pace was interrupted by a stranger's sudden company.

"It's Lydia, right?" he said, more than asked.

Taken a little aback, I replied, more than answered, "That's me."