Back of the Beyond

Chapter Two; "Once on a Blue Moon"

Once on a Blue Moon"
Meaning: Very rarely [happens]. Impossible.
Origins: Very occasionally, the moon appears to be blue. This sometimes occurs after a volcanic eruption, like that of Krakatoa in 1883. Dust particles in the atmosphere are normally of a size to diffract blue light, making the moon appear reddish at sunset. Larger volcanic dust particles diffract red light, making the moon appear bluish.
Actual examples of the moon appearing blue would in fact be the exception that proves the rule, as the 'blue moon' was originally something that was considered not rare but impossible.

Beside an example of beds in the foyer was a stand with a guide. I was quick to grab it, staring at the directions. We would walk around in a circle for the most part, brought back here after we went through the garage where bigger items were stored. I loved being the one with the map, from Disney World and water parks to Ikea and other stores.
Mom was the one leading us by an Asian family of three into the bedroom area. Inside this part of the store were displays of different bedrooms, most of them cute, and making my mind wander to the kind of bedroom I would have when I moved out of the house.
Mom wandered over to a set that was decorated in blue, gold, and brown, peacocks here and there. It was pretty, but I was more interested in the lively room that was in white, tan, and gold. The furniture made it lively, all the unique and different designs. Nia and Layton were interested in some childish room displays, monsters and space and purple and animal-like rooms. Dad was following them around, keeping a sharp eye on them.
"Okay, okay, c'mon." Mom called us, rallying us around her as she looked thoroughly for anything Paris like, but found nothing in return.
She pushed the squeaky cart through the next sets and displays, room after room mesmerized me, my mind unable to hold back all the flourishing thoughts of the future as they spilled over like an overflowing sink. Nia and Layton kept being drawn away from the task at hand, looking over at stuffed animals or bright colored displays, laying on couches and opening drawers of all sorts, wide blue eyes scanning everything around them. It was like they had never seen a stove before.
Dad was grinning at them, following them and playing with them, Mom holding my hand tight to the side of her hip and pulling me through a crowd of people, mainly caucasion. We last lived in Washington D.C., so it was unusual to see a lack of diversity--within race.
We made our way into a display of apartment designs, or just designs for small living spaces, and I was at awe with how easily and beautifully they could cram so many "essential" things into small displays. I wandered around cluelessly, touching everything within my arm span. Mom followed behind my heels, still searching for any Paris themed decor. We already picked out a bedspread, a lamp, and a chandelier.
It was weird, but despite how much we didn't get along, when it was just Mom and me I felt so close, and so loved. I inched close to her, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tight.
Mom's hazel eyes flickered to me, and a small, caring smile crossed her lips, squeezing my hand in response. I returned the smile, allowing her to lead me through the winding maze, each step we took in sync.
Nia and Layton ran past us, provoking Mom.
"Hey!" She hissed, trying not to be too loud in fear of dragging attention to her, "No running in here!"
Nia was quick to stop, Layton still going. Nia was all too obedient for someone her age, or any kid at all. Dad grabbed Layton by the wrist, dragged him to the side, next to a display that was mainly white, and whispered something in his ear. Layton stayed still, deadpanning as the three of us watched them communicate in secret. Dad pulled away from Layton and he became timid and quiet, which meant Dad had gotten onto him.
"We're going to the storage unit, the last part before we make our way back to the exit." Mom said, holding her own paper guide.
I slid mine out and stared down at it. She was right, the storage unit was the last part, it's where you got furniture you saw in the displays. I did notice it was one of the biggest places in the entire store, too.
"C'mon." Dad waved at us, "We can't be here all day." He ushered us.
We followed without question, walking out of the nicely decorated displays into a large, seemingly never ending room with tall shelves piled with crates and cardboard boxes. I looked around at a strange set of people, and no one following us inside the unit.
The people had taken out furniture, made some sort of sturdy, or somewhat sturdy forts, and were yelling at each other. They looked like they hadn't washed in months, and were skinny, bones shining through their pale skin.
I pulled myself closer to Mom, avoiding their beading eyes, their vicious glares. Dad was scorning, pulling Nia and Layton to his hips, hands squeezing their shoulders. Someone yelled some vulgar curses, specifically at Mom, telling us to leave while we still could.
I turned my head, staring behind us to see that the exit was far gone, the wall barely visible. Turning my attention back to the front I began to notice how infinite the storage unit felt. Left and right were the same, neverending, going off into a horizon with no walls, no nothing. Just more furniture forts, crazed people, and shelves.
We passed an empty cafe stand, no worker sitting behind it. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen a single worker since we walked inside.
Mom and Dad both looked worried and confused, searching now for a worker than for some furniture we had liked. They pulled us around like ragdolls, keeping us close to them.
"Sir." Mom called out to a man dressed in uniform, walking cluelessly around while the crazed people stared in horror at him, their eyes bulging.
The worker turned, greeting us with a smile and dead eyes.
"Do you know where the exit is?" Mom asked, "We've been wandering for quite a bit and haven't managed to find it." She explained to him, the calm facade she had on was worn well.
"If you ever need any help," He began in a monotone voice, "Please just ask."
Mom stared back at him in shock, working her jaw as the gears in her head began to twist.
"Sir." She began again, "Where is the exit?" her patience running thin.
"If you ever need any help, please just ask." He repeated himself, still monotone, still grinning, those dead brown eyes meeting hers through the bangs of his brown hair.
Mom tilted her head, "Where is the exit?!" She raised her voice.
"If you ever need any help, please just ask." Was his response, still.
"I--!" Mom was cut off by the hand of Dad, who squeezed her shoulder and pulled her away from the worker, she shuffled over to a corner between two shelves, some more crazed people yelling at them to get out of "their place".
"Let's find another worker." Dad mumbled, trying to calm Mom down, but she was red, boiling with fury. He didn't wait for Mom's response, Nia and Layton running over to him, grabbing his two free hands.
Dad nodded to Mom, assuring her everything was fine, and leading us through the winding maze of shelves and misplaced furniture.