A Thousand Moments

Chapter 25- Their Story

Alanna Sky Bauer

We hit the road and headed out to the city 30 minutes away from our small town. Dad was driving and I was seated on the passenger seat, I felt like a kid again elated by the excitement of shopping with my father. If only my sister was here, it would have been better, I miss her so much, I hope she comes back before it's too late.

"Here's the list of what we have to buy" said dad as he handed me a piece of paper while parking

"Okay, are we making pot roast?" I asked as I scan the list, he nodded

"It's both mine and your mom's favorite dish, I wanted to teach you how to cook it so you can make it for you and your special someone too" he replied, who knew my father had this side of him, it makes me want to know more about him and mom.

We walked to the store, it was jam-packed with people. I used to hate crowded places like this but knowing I wasn't alone today made it feel a lot less worse. It gave me a feeling that I'm not the only one here, something I'm not used to experiencing, all my life or at least those I remember, I felt alone until Astrid came into my life, then everything started falling into place.

"You can start first, I have to go to home decor aisle, I have something to buy" said dad, I nodded at him in response

I walked to the groceries trying to find every item on the list my dad handed me.

"Wait, baby carrots or medium carrots?" I asked myself

I guess get both then?

"Excuse me lady" a small voice uttered behind me, and I felt a tug on my shirt

I turned around to see a little girl behind me

"Yes?" I asked

"Can you get that for me?" She uttered as she pointed to the upper part of the shelf beside me

"This?" I asked pointing to the marshmallows, she nodded

"What's your name?" I asked her handing her the pack of sweets as I bent down beside her

"Ash, but don't tell mommy I told you, she said not to talk to strangers, but you gave me mallows so we're friends" she replied giving me a sweet smile, she reminded me of someone but I couldn't put my finger on who

"I'm Alanna" I uttered as I put my hand out for a handshake, her small hand held mine and shook it

"Where's your mommy?" I asked her

"She's over there" she pointed to a lady standing a few meters away from us, her back was facing us

Who let's their child wander alone the store?

"Alright, go to your mommy she must be waiting for you" I uttered smiling at her

Ash gave me a hug before she left, she was such a sweet girl. She turned and waved before she and her mom walked away, I wasn't able to see her mom's face but she looked familiar and so did Ash.

510th.

Ash.

"Alanna, did you find the ingredients?" Dad asked as he walked towards me

"Yep, almost done, I was distracted for a moment" I replied

"There was this cute little girl, she looked really familiar" I pulled the trolley as I continued talking