Shattered Part I (Completed)

3.

Finding a parking spot close to the main entrance I pull the car into it and then step out. I round the car and open the door for Mom. Helping her out she looks around at the people in the lot. "I don't feel like walking now. Did you pack the chair in for me?"

"Yes, I did, Momma." I help her sit on the chair before, opening the trunk and pulling out the wheelchair. I set it up and then push it over to her. Transferring her from the car to the chair doesn't take long. Locking the car, I start to push her through the mall.

A smile spreads across her face as she looks at the tall building. "Where are we going to go first, Eliza?"

"I was thinking about going to a formal shop to buy our dresses."

"Are you going to your ten-year reunion?"

"I was thinking about it," I tell her, honestly. "I want to know what everyone's been up to since we left. A couple of hours ago I wasn't sure, but then I saw someone accept it and it's because of them that I want to go."

She places her hand on mine. "This better not have anything to do with that boy you lost your virginity too. He's bad news and I don't want to see him hurt you like he did ten years ago."

"I know, Momma. I'm stronger now and I'm not going to let him ruin me again."

"I hope so." She mutters under her breath.

I know I wasn't supposed to hear her say that. So, I let it slide.

Pressing the button for the escalator, we wait for it to hit our floor. When it does I push Mom inside. I look at the floor numbers, trying to remember the floor that the formal shop was on. There are names of stores above the number and I press five.

The escalator begins to move and it takes us up to our floor without stopping. The door opens and I wheel Mom towards the store. As soon as we reach the window she says. "Stop," stopping at the window we see a red dress that has a slit up the leg and a dip at front. "That's the perfect dress for you, Eliza. You're going to be a knock-out at the Reunion."

Moving in front of her I lean down and say. "You have to say that because you're a mother. You're being biased."

She shakes her head. "It's true, though, Liz. I'm buying you that dress. So, you're going to put it on when we get to the store."

Looking at the price tag it says '$500.' I stand up and push her into the store. "You're not going to buy that dress for me. It's too much."

"Elizabeth Lynette Donoghue. I'm buying you that dress and you're going to let me. Don't you undermine me, Liz?"

"Okay, Momma," I mutter. Once we enter the store the retailer looks at Mom and then me. "Welcome to Connie's Formal Wear. Can I help y'all find something?"

"Yes," A smile spreads across Mom's face. "I want the red dress that's sitting in the window."

"Uh," she looks around the store making sure no one can hear before saying. "We don't have that in your size, Madame."

Really, she's going to say that to Mom. I'm not going to allow that to happen.

"That's really rude of you to say that." My voice begins to go up. "Saying that we can't look at a dress because you don't sell a certain size?" Mom's hand rests on my arm. "That dress wasn't for her, but me. It probably wouldn't fit me anyway. Let's get out of here before she shames anyone else." Pushing Mom out the store, we head to another that has formal wear.

Mom looks at the ground and keeps her eyes there as we stop at the shop front window. "I can't go in there."

"Yes, you can. We can afford the best things from this place. The Twins that own this company have made dresses to fit all sizes and they won't discriminate against you."