Fly with Me

Chapter 8

Christen drove to the Irvine Spectrum Shopping Center which was approximately an hour away. It was now 2:00, since Christen was able to leave work early, so she had seven hours alone with Tobin. She was excited, but she didn't know why.

"This shopping center is rad," Tobin said as she looked at the center in awe.

"Do you have rad shopping centers in New Jersey?" Christen asked.

"Yeah, but not as rad as this one. You really did surprise me," Tobin smiled.

Christen felt her heart flutter. "Why are you fluttering, heart? It's just Tobin," she thought to herself.

"Any particular stores you want to go to?"

"Nah, I'll just follow you. Be my tour guide."

Christen laughed, "I need to buy clothes for Alex's wedding, but I also need to buy Crystal's birthday present because her birthday is coming fast."

"Do you do anything special for her birthday?"

Christen frowned, "I used to. Derek and I used to decorate the house with balloons and streamers. We'd make cupcakes for her and just stay home and celebrate. But after Derek passed away, I haven't done anything special except bake her a cake and take her anywhere she wanted to go."

Tobin was angry with herself. She knew she should stop asking questions that maybe be personal and sensitive. She didn't know how to respond.

"Um, if you want, I'd love to help decorate the house and make cupcakes. Maybe Crystal would like that. Only if you want though, I don't, um," Tobin's voice softened until Christen couldn't hear any more words come out of her mouth. She looked down, now wanting to look at Christen.

"Would you? I think Crystal is tired of having just a cake and a drive anywhere for her birthday. She'd love if I started to do the special ritual for her birthday. Derek would be happy to see the ritual come back."

Tobin looked up at Christen, "We can make her sixth birthday very special."

Tobin and Christen spent an hour finding decorations and gifts for Crystal. They bought pink streamers, pink and white balloons, confetti shooters, and a "Happy Birthday" banner.

"This should be enough," Christen said. "I don't even know what I am going to get her."

"Me neither," Tobin responded as she looked at Christen with wide eyes.

They both laughed.

"When is her birthday again?"

"May 19th, that's next week already!" Christen buried her head in her hands when she realized how soon Crystal's birthday was.

Tobin patted Christen's shoulder, "I'm sure the idea will come soon."

They continued to walk around and check stores that they thought would have something Crystal would like. They ended up checking twelve different stores before finally, finding the perfect gift for Crystal.

"She's going to definitely love that present from you, Tobin. I love it."

Tobin smiled, "I think she'll love both of our presents. Maybe mine a bit more."