The Peach Pits

Chapter 9

 The fresh smells of the flea market made Mae's brain go fuzzy. She inhaled the sweet smells of ice cream, funnel cakes, and perfumes, and even the nasty smells of animals. Still, it felt great to be out in the fresh air enjoying herself with Trina. They were basically on cloud nine after three of Aunt Lynn's paintings sold. They packed the envelope of money and the two leftover paintings in the back of the car, and decided to wander around the stalls. Even if they didn't buy anything, it would still be a nice reward to look.

"Oh, look at this," Trina gushed, leaning over a stall covered in jewelry. She picked up a small ring with a flower design that looked like it was carved out of wood. She fitted it on her finger and admired it. 

"It's pretty," Mae agreed. A smile crept across her face. She looked up at the woman standing on the other side of the table. "How much?"

"Fifteen dollars."

Trina looked up from the ring and shook her head. "Mae, no. We couldn't use my mom's money on this."

Mae pulled some cash out of her back pocket and handed it to the woman. "It's my own money," Mae assured her. Mae waited to accept her change. "It looks cute on you."

As they walked away from the stall, Trina stared at the ring, her mouth parted slightly. "You shouldn't have done that." Her two puffy braids made her look like a twelve-year-old.

"Don't worry about it," Mae assured her. "Things have been going well at the restaurant. Close your mouth or you'll catch flies."

Trina rolled her eyes. "You should put the money up for college," Trina said mindfully. "I still think I should get a job."

Mae wished she could tell her cousin the truth just to make her stop worrying. "When I say don't worry, I mean it," Mae said again. "Trust me, I have things handled. How about we get ice cream?"

Trina's eyes lit up, then narrowed in suspicion. "Did you secretly hit the lottery or something?" she asked warily.

"Wouldn't be here if I did," Mae said. "But come on, we should treat ourselves. Celebrate a successful day for Aunt Lynn and all. So, ice cream? Or you know what, a funnel cake doesn't sound half bad."

Trina heaved a sigh. She backed away as a few goats bleated at her. Mae laughed at her cousin. "Ice cream. It's hot."

After getting their ice cream, Mae and Trina settled on one of the picnic benches in the shade. Mae looked around at the other teenagers and families enjoying their lunch or other sweet treats to cool down. Trina still looked bothered, but she didn't hesitate on eating her ice cream.

"My birthday's coming up," Trina mentioned slowly. With her free hand. she picked at a nail sticking out of the picnic table. 

"Of course, I know that."

Trina licked her ice cream to keep it from dripping down her fingers and onto the table. "I don't know what your plans are but I wouldn't feel bad if you wanted to get me something and couldn't-"

"You know there's no way in hell I'm not getting you a birthday gift," Mae said, stopping Trina's foolishness in its tracks. "You only turn sixteen once. You have to have gifts. Aren't you excited?"

Trina nodded. "Yeah, it's just been a lot going on," she said. "I've been worried about my mom and..." her voice trailed off. Ever since they moved in, Trina always got a little anxious around her birthday. Before, her parents had thrown her nice parties with music, games, and store-bought cakes. Mae had always been a little jealous when she looked on at Trina opening her piles of presents. Now, Trina was lucky to get a homemade cake and a couple gifts. Mae hated to think Trina would be especially upset this year, since it was a big birthday for her. There was no way she'd have one of those big, extravagant parties like she'd seen on TV- or a party at all. Mae promised herself she'd do whatever she could to make Trina feel special, though.