Busted

“Grammy! Come on… It’s this way…”

Cindy waved to her grandmother, Mabel, from far down the aisle of the department store.

Mabel held up her index finger, signaling a pause. She pushed the stroller, occupied by her grandson, Josh, into the cosmetics department. Never missing a chance to find her favorite lipstick, she needed a moment.

Can never find them… Why don’t they stock more?

Josh rode quietly. Cindy, his older sister by five years was a hot mess. Betraying her impatience, she peered around a display like a spy.

“Don’t run off, Cindy, I’m watching you. Wait a moment and we’ll get your party dress.”

The girl spun around and stamped her foot. She paced.

Mabel said, “Talk to your brother. He has a question…”

“He’s a baby, Grammer. Can’t even talk…”

“Are you a baby?”

“No…”

“Or a brat?”

Cindy put her hand to her mouth.

Mabel continued. “Then speak well to me. Or we’ll just go home.”

The girl put her best cute and remorseful face on. “I’m sorry…”

They’re trying to kill me. Is it either them or me? Mabel smiled to herself. Stay two steps ahead… They may be quick but I’m smarter and stronger.

“As I said, watch your brother for a minute.”

The girl peered into the stroller and touched his nose with a giggle.

Mabel turned to the lipstick display and selected a lipstick tester. Trying it on her hand, she held it up to the light and smiled.

This is it…! Why’re they so hard to find…? I should get two.

As she selected her color from the display a crash drew her attention to the children. Cindy had pushed the stroller into a display with enough force to send a slew of tubes and compacts clattering across the floor. Josh’s sobs were building to a full-blown squall.

Cindy tried to disappear.

Rushing to the children Mabel dropped the lipstick. She didn’t see it. Whatever… later. What now?

A sales assistant came over and knelt to collect the scattered boxes and tubes.

Mabel said, “I’m so sorry…”

She tried to help, but the girl waved her off. “Happens all the time…” She pointed to Cindy and the stroller.

Right…

Feeling the gaze of other shoppers, Mabel resisted the impulse to yell at Cindy. Rather, she picked up Josh to comfort him.

“Cindy! What are you doing? This isn’t a playground. When will you learn to behave?”

The girl fought back tears, knowing they wouldn’t buy sympathy.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“Of course you didn’t mean to. Let’s go home.”

“But my dress!”

“If your dress is so important, stop creating chaos. Look at that poor girl cleaning up your mess. What do you say?”

Cindy picked up a compact and offered it to the clerk. “Sorry…”

The sales girl took Cindy’s offer with a smile. “Don’t worry. No biggie… It’s always something.”

Cindy nodded and looked at Mabel, who raised her eyebrow.

“Enough, Cindy. You want your dress, let’s go.”

Josh had settled and Mabel returned him to his stroller. They went to the children’s section of the store. Cindy ran ahead and found a rack full of party dresses. She pulled one out and held it up to herself.

“I like this one, Grams. Can I try it?”

Grams, Grammy, Grammers… Ahh, the rich diversity of language. What’s in a name, indeed.

Mabel said, “It’s pretty. The changing room is there. Do you need help?”

“No. I can do it.”

Clutching the dress, Cindy ran to the changing rooms. Mabel followed with Josh and the stroller. She stood nearby in case Cindy needed assistance.

She took the moment, allowing her mind to wander. Mabel scanned the store with its endless variety of clothing, décor… everything. Shoppers moved this way and that, all with such purpose.

A movement drew her attention. Josh was pulling at clothes awaiting their return to the sales floor. She moved the stroller safely beyond reach of the racks.

There’ll be no stopping him once he’s walking.

Mabel sighed. This is my life? I thought I’d have time to myself… Josh returned her gaze. She leaned toward him with a broad smile.

She cooed, “I can hear those gears turning...” Can’t even talk and already conspiring…

Must they be such beasts before claiming a smidgeon of humanity? So much time spent with no guarantee… Watching them is one thing. But keeping up is a mother’s job.

Susy insists we need only love them. ‘No one got ruined with too much love.’ Is it really that simple? She shook her head. Don’t see it. No known shortcuts… By the time you can see they’re ruined, it’s too late.

Susy needed a strong hand. She turned out okay. Finally…

“Are you mumbling about Mom, Grams? Her name is Sue.”

Mabel felt tugging at her dress. Cindy looked up at her.

“I know her name, kid. I gave it to her.”

Cindy’s face changed as if informed by a sudden realization.

Mabel continued. “She was a lot like you, at your age…” Thankfully she grew out of it… “You like the dress?”

Cindy nodded.

“Does it fit?”

“Yep…”

Mabel bent to straighten Cindy’s clothing.

“Good. Let’s go home.”

Almost skipping, Cindy ran ahead to checkout. Pushing the stroller, Mabel trailed behind.

“Cindy!” Mabel called to her.

The girl stopped and turned. Her look said, ‘Now what?’

“What are you carrying?”

“My dress…”

“And what’s under the dress?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Cindy held up a tiny, faux leather purse. Mabel peered at it and saw a sparkling, rhinestone image of a leaping, winged horse.

“Not today… Your mother said you’d want the whole store. We came for a party dress. That’s what we’re getting.”

“I don’t want the whole store. I want this, Grammy.”

“Just following orders, Missy. Take it up with your mother.”

The girl pouted. “I’ll pay with my allowance…”

“Put it down.”

Cindy bolted to the checkout line.

Cursing under her breath, Mabel followed faster than anyone would expect.

She caught up with the girl just as she put her merchandise on the conveyor. In her best, no-nonsense tone, Mabel hissed into Cindy’s ear.

“Start behaving now, or we’ll leave here empty handed.”

Cindy froze.

“And I’ll tell your mother what a brat you’ve been.”

The girl pushed the purse aside. “Fine…”

“Watch your brother. Excuse me.” Mabel slid by Cindy and dealt with the clerk who placed the purse into the return pile. Mabel put the shopping bag in the stroller’s pocket.

“Let’s go.”

The three walked to the exit without speaking. As they passed through the sliding door, an alarm sounded.

Mabel looked at Cindy. “What did you take? Why do you insist…”

“I didn’t do anything…”

A security officer stepped up, blocked the exit and gestured for them to re-enter the store.

Mabel faced him. “What is this about?”

“Please step into the store, Ma’am. We’ll find what caused the alarm to trigger.”

Mabel took Cindy’s hand and, pushing the stroller, reentered the store.

“I’m sorry sir. I don’t know what my granddaughter might have taken. Sometimes…”

“Grammy, I didn’t take anything.”

“Then what’s going on…?”

The security officer looked at Cindy and then peered into the stroller. He grunted and faced Mabel. “Open your purse.”

“Me? What are you suggesting?”

“Just open your purse, Ma’am…”

Looking around, Mabel saw shoppers and store personnel observing. Cindy looked concerned.

She handed her purse to the officer. He examined the contents and found nothing suspicious.

He said, “Empty your pockets.”

Mabel sighed and reached into her coat pockets. She pulled out a handkerchief, her keys, cough drop wrappers, and the lipstick she had meant to buy.

The officer plucked the unopened merchandise from her hand. He signaled to another security officer who walked away.

Mabel stuttered, “There must be a mistake. I intended to buy it… I misplaced it…” Desperate, she looked at Cindy.

“Come with me…” The officer gestured toward the back of the store.

“Can’t I just buy it? I meant to buy it.”

The officer raised his brow and looked to where he wanted Mabel to go.

“Ridiculous…” Mabel took Cindy’s hand. “Stay with me, dear…” She pushed the stroller.

On the way to the back, they passed through the cosmetics section. The salesgirl who cleaned up after Cindy’s mishap stood nearby.

Cindy pulled free of Mabel and ran up to her. “Hi, remember me?”

The woman nodded and smiled.

“Can you help? Grams is in trouble…”

She saw Mabel standing with the security guard.

Cindy ran back and addressed the guard. “Please let her go, mister. Grams made a mistake. I was a brat before. She didn’t mean to…”

The guard looked at the salesgirl.

She said, “It’s true. We had a mess earlier. There were cosmetics everywhere. Pure chaos. But an accident… The girl... I’m sure it was a mistake.”

The guard looked at Mabel.

She said, “Seriously… I would never... I’m trying to teach her manners… You’ll understand when you have children…”

The guard stepped away and spoke into his walkie talkie. Mabel looked at the salesgirl who smiled and nodded.

The guard returned. “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. This time.”

“Thank you so much. I assure you, I can afford the makeup. I don’t steal.”

The guard looked at her skeptically. “Don’t do it again.”

He walked away.

Mabel took the salesgirl’s hand. “Thank you so much. Can I get two of these lipsticks…?” She pointed at her favorite color. “Yes. Perfect. You’ve been most helpful.”

“Will that be all…?”

“That’s perfect. Thanks…” Mabel pushed the stroller ahead of her. “Oh, Cindy. Remember that cute purse?”

Cindy nodded.

“Why don’t you go find it? It’ll go with your dress… Meet you at the front…”

Cindy ran off before Mabel finished speaking.