My Magnificent Multicolored Mutation

Part 1

I hop off the train, thanking the bus driver as I exit. It's Saturday morning, and I'm downtown in order to pick up some groceries and run the family errands. I was put in charge of this due to the fact that I have a job in a little cafe, and I enjoyed walking along the old cobblestone streets, looking at art exhibits, and peoplewatching. Taking pointless pictures, shopping at vintage boutiques, and escaping the treachorous blackhole of a town where I originate.

I have now walked about a block and a half, and walk into my first destination. I swing open the little, brightly painted door of the art shoppe, hearing the familiar sound of a bell chiming.

"Oh, good morning Adaire." the cute little owner, Mr. Kraus says, with his slight accent. He was 70 something years old, and although he is from America, his parents immigrated from Germany so he grew up speaking both English and German.

"Hello Mr. Kraus." I say warmly, slightly smiling.

"What can I help you with today?"

"I just stopped in real quick to get new coloreds, and of course erasers." I say, chuckling softly.

"Ah, of course. Well, we just got a new shipment of prismas and you know where the erasers are, you little perfektionist."

I walk to the back of the store, following my frequented route. I had to stop in here every weekend, I went through erasers like crazy. I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my art, and I will go crazy if I don't think something looks right. Therefore, I went through a 2 pack of erasers a week!

I pick up my pack of 2 kneadable erasers, and walked through the pencil aisle picking up a trusty ol' pack of prismacolors. I head to the checkout where Mr. Kraus is already awaiting me. I see his daughter, Gretchen, in the back doing inventory and shout to her. Although Gretchen is 4 years older than me, we are very close. She is one of those friends that you don't always have to talk to, but will always be there.

"oh, hey Ady!" she cries enthusiastically, probably glad to have a distraction from the mundane activity. She is also one of the select few who can call me Ady without frustrating me.

"make sure to hit up Bev's today, you won't believe what they picked up!"

Beverley's is one of the thrift/vintage clothing stores located in the areas, and is practically Gretchen and I's home. It is full of utterly adorable clothes, for next to nothing.

"Well, obviously!" I say, joking. I always stopped in and spent way to much money after spending way to much money at their family art store.

Mr. Kraus hands me the bag, and with a wave I'm out.

I of course stop in at Bev's and pick up a few basics, nothing too spectacular today. I added a skirt, 2 blouses, and some costume jewlery to my ever-growing colleciton.

I continue walking down the street, my left arm weighted down with bags of beatufiul purchases. Today has already been such a beautiful day, spent with close friends, satisfying purchases, and beautiful fall weather; crisp and about 60 degrees, with little leaves. I am in a pure state of bliss when I walk into the cafe where I work, Au Contraire. It's a stupid name, believe me I am aware, but I enjoy the simpleness and the people there.

I go back and get changed, throwing up my hair into a messy bun. I go out and start preparing tables, and cleaning up old ones. It is practically abandoned, due to the fact that it is the awkward time period between breakfast and lunch.

I'm carrying a container full of dishes and cups into the kitchen, when the door swings open and I almost run into somebody. I let out a little shriek, and tighten my hold into a near death grip. I then hear the sound of deep, melodious laughter that belong to my coworker, Travis.