The parking lot of the mall seemed so empty. The internet truly took over and it kind of made me sad. Sure when I was younger, I hated when there was so many people around me when I went to places. One of the reasons why I didn't even like shopping for clothes. But now it just seemed dead most of the times. I kind of missed there being lots of people at the mall. It was just a ghost town now.

“Are you just gonna stand there or close the door so we can go?” I hear ma say and I glance over at her. She's looking at me with a raised eyebrow and her hands on her hips.

“Sorry, I'm coming.” I answer while closing the door and walk quickly to her.

She grabs my hand and squeezes the life out of it. But her smile brings the life back to it. I love ma, and spending time with her is nice when it's my choice. Going to the mall is something I had always joined with her to do when I was younger or smaller. I remember all the people and all the things I liked to see and wanted. But I learned early not to ask for things when I was out with mom. Unless I needed it to survive like food and water. Even then I should probably not ask, or ask too much.

When we walk in I automatically see aunt-te and nan. It wouldn't normally be hard to recognize them. But there not being a lot of people around also made it even easier to spot them. Aunt-te runs over to me while nan takes her time. Aunt-te gives me a bear hug, she squeezes the life out of me but I return the hug. After she lets me go I walk over to nan then give her gentle hug.

“I know you can give a better hug than that young thang.” nan says when I try to pull away and gives me the most tightest hug ever. I can feel the love and also the life in me being squeezed out. 

Once she let's go I feel like passing out a bit. Aunt-te and nan then go to mom and gives her just the same amount of love they gave me in their hugs. After our little reunion we started walking through the mall looking for some store I have no idea about. Only those three seem to know the store so I just follow and look around. Not anything new, it's what I usually do anyway. Eventually aunt-te stops in front of Forever 21. I never been in the store but I knew it.

“She might not like the JCPenney.” aunt-te said causing nan to grunt, then they started to walk towards the store so I followed.

Immediately they all started looking at the dresses while I sat on bench. Aunt-te mostly looked at dresses she could wear and fit instead of dresses for me. Eventually nan came over to me with a dress. The dress was long and black, but you could barely tell it was black with all the flowers over it, covering almost every spot of it. I could tell nan liked floral clothes, and I was okay with them but not if it looked like that. I made a face at it but she shoved her dress onto me.

I took it while grumbled and got up from the bench. I started walking around to look for dressing rooms. I eventually found one and went inside. I made sure the stall was locked before I started to undress. Undressing in places besides home made me wary. But I had to get used to it. Eventually I pull on the dress and look at myself in the mirror. It looks nice but isn't my style, and doesn't look good on me. But nonetheless I knew what I had to do next. I unlocked the stall, planning to walk out to find my family, but I saw them standing outside the door with multiple dresses in their arms.

“Ew, why that?” aunt-te says as soon as her eyes land on me.

“What do you mean?” nan replied practically barking it out

“You know what I mean mom, here honey.” aunt-te says handing me another dress that seems to be floral, causing me to mentally groan.

“When am I going to give my baby a dress?” I hear ma say when I go back into the stall, closing the door behind me.

I lock the stall door then start to undress. Then I take a good look at the dress. It looks very short and black, once again all these flowers made it hard to see that. But this time it was because of the dark colors that fit well with it. Very dark blue and red. flowers with dark green leaves. I actually liked the dress a bit. Once I out it on though I saw I was correct about it being really short. The dress kept rising up on me and it also showed a lot of my chest. It showing off my shoulders completely didn't help either.

I didn't even want to walk out with this on. But I did anyway while hoping no one but my family saw. As soon as I walked out flashing lights blinded me. Ma and aunt-te just had to take pictures. Nan stared at me with wide eyes and ma soon stopped taking pictures having the same expression ae nan. They both shot glares aunt-te’s way. She was too busy smiling while taking more pictures of me.

“Her father would kill us both! Next dress!” ma said dismissing my aunt-te by getting in don't of her and me. Then she handed me one of the dresses in her arms.

I took it and went back into the stall. This was draining me already, I was sick of undressing and redressing then repeating. The dress I put on from mom I didn't even pay much attention to. I only got a good look at it when I looked at myself in the mirror. It wasn't a surprise that I slightly liked it and that it looked good on me. My mom did pick it out after all. But sometimes she picks out things that I don't like at all or that even fit my personality.

The dress was more of a beige color. Mixed with some gray beige too I guess. It was a bit poofy and was a nice length. The upper part before my chest it was lacey. There was a black belt like around the dress where my waist was. I was going to walk out and try to say this was the dress I wanted. Eventually I walked out and once again pictures were taken. But I was prepared for the flashes this time and smiled.

“I think this is the one.” I say and mom smiles brightly behind her phone.

“I thought you would say that.” she said as nan and aunt-te muttered to themselves.

My eyes so happened to wander while they put the other dresses up. My eyes landed on another dress nearby. It seemed more like a homecoming dress unlike the dress I was wearing now that seemed pretty formal. More like a dress for prom. It was an army green, open-shoulder, cape dress. It was the perfect length too. I was about to walk towards it but my aunt-te got in my way.

“Come on hun, we have to pay for the dress.” she says as nan comes over grabbing the tag on the dress.

“Holy-” she starts to say.

“Language.” aunt-te and ma says in sync.

“This is sixty damn dollars!” nan says and aunt-te rolls her eyes.

“Just pay for the shoes then. Sis and me can split it.” aunt-te says to nan while pushing me back to the stall. “Now go change out of that dress and back in your clothes. Then your going to try on some shoes.” she says to me and closes the door as I groan wanting to hit my head against the door.

“I already found the shoes! Hurry up honey!” I hear ma says, saving me from more horror.

I quickly undress and put on my clothes so none of them get any other ideas. I get out of the stall and glance at the shoes but they’re in a box in her hands. Aunt-te starts looking at jewelry as we walk into a line. It's not too long but its not short either. I groan and ma’s hand finds mine then squeezes it. I smile up at her as we move in the line. Aunt-te starts putting jewelry near me and I huff as she grabs some earrings that matches the dress.

Eventually we got up to the front and they paid for everything. I just grabbed the bags and carried them out the store. I would think that we were done after all that. But no, aunt-te lead the way into a completely different direction from the exit. I grumbled to myself while I followed them.

We went to JCPenney's after all. Nan kept picking out clothes I wouldn't wear if I was paid. An hour had passed and we were still in the mall. I was a bit annoyed just following around, sitting down, or standing around with my family. Eventually we got pretzels with cheese and then ice cream. I was less annoyed after that, maybe I was just hungry. After a while we left the mall, finally. We parted once we were in the parking lot. I gave aunt-te and nan hugs and kisses. Then mom and I got in her car.

I would have never known I would see them again, or at least so soon. I didn't even notice they were following us. Mom never told me she invited them over. Not like it was completely terrible but it would have just been nice to know. Though I don't pay the bill as ma says. I saw them again when we got home and ma had parked in our driveway. I noticed there was another car parked behind us. Then I looked into the rearview mirror and saw aunt-te in the driver's seat.

I got out of the car and went over to aunt-te's car. I helped nan out of the car. She thanked me as we followed ma and aunt-te to the front door, while helping nan to the door. Once we got inside dad came over and blinked. Nan isn't a fan of dad, ma says nan wasn't happy with her not being with a man of the same race. But I hope things were okay now since it has been years now.

“Hey mom, Tina.” dad said nodding at nan then aunt-te.

“Howard.” nan replies and I sigh with everyone else but her.

“Mom, be nice.” ma and aunt-te says in sync but nan rolls her eyes waving her hand, dismissing them.

“It's okay Jenelle and Tina.” he said looking at them smiling softly and looked at nan. “Would you like anything to drink, or eat?” he asked nan and she shook her head gently.

“No, but where's my other grand baby?” nan asked and right on timing, I heard small footsteps coming near.

Peta eventually appeared in the kitchen like the little nosey boy he was. Nan's face lit up and so did Peta's. “Naaannn!” he squealed and ran towards her arms. She laughed hugging him closely and tight. “You're squeezing the life out of me!” he whined between dramatic breaths causing us all to laugh.