Away

34. Magic

Brett's mom explains that an ambulance showed up at the house around 6am. Brett's dad was still sleeping, and they didn't wake him. In stead they gave him a sedative to ensure there's as little trauma for him as possible. At the hospital, a doctor came to explain to her that they will keep him sedated whilst they do all the tests, and then they will bring him home. It will take at least two days. They will inform her and the lawyers when they are done. They should have a full medical report available in about a two weeks.

"Ma, will you be OK by yourself for two days? Can I ask Auntie Sue to come and check in on you from time to time?" Brett asks with concern. "I will be fine Brett. Besides, I will mostly be here in the shop overseeing all the packing, shipping and cleaning" she says. "I'm glad Eddy is also here. I wanted to give you guys the opportunity to pick out some stuff from the shop you might need for your new apartment. Anything you want, really. Most of the stuff will sell for next to nothing, and I would much rather you put it to use".

Brett and Eddy couldn't believe it. It's like a magic shopping trip where you don't have to pay. "Anything Ma? You sure?" Brett asks, all excited. "Yes Brett", she laughs. "Take as much stuff as you need. Really."

Brett and Eddy nearly run when they left the coffee shop. Once there, they looked around, not knowing where to start. "Here, I have an idea", his mother said. "Everyone, please stop what you are doing", she says loudly. All the workers stop and look at her. "Please take a break for 1 hour and then come back", she says. None of them complain, too happy to take a break from the backbreaking work.

She walks over to the stationary isle and picks out tape with big blue stars on it, usually used for decorating. She takes 4 rolls and hands 2 to each of them. Then she picks up 2 large empty boxes and puts it down in front of the checkout counter. "Smaller items, come and put it in the boxes. Larger items, mark it with a cross with the tape", she explains. "I will have all of it packed nicely and delivered to you". With that, the boys started their spree.

Brett and Eddy both pick out clothes first. T-Shirts, shorts, a few pairs of pants and two jackets each. And flip flops for the beach. All are put in one box. Then electronics. A TV, an iron, a toaster, a hairdryer, a printer, a laptop, a DVD player, all bundled together and covered with a big cross of tape. They pick out curtains for their rooms and the living area, bedside lamps, a small flat-pack computer stand, four small tables, a foldable ironing board and some scatter cushions. They put it all in a separate pile and mark it with the tape. For the kitchen, they gather every strange gadget they see and add it to the boxes. Then pots, pans, more plates, glasses, knives, forks, etc.

The boxes were full, so Brett fetches one more empty box for them to use. They pick out more towels, hand towels and face cloths. A curtain and rod for the shower. A toilet brush. An assortment of soaps, lotions and shampoos. They add some packs of printing paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, some tape, a stapler and spare staples, 2 pairs of scissors and some glue. And then Brett spots one more thing they needed. A stand for drying clothes.

Once done, they stand back to look at all the stuff they picked out. They look at each other and laugh. "Shopping seems to be our speciality", Eddy says. Brett walks over to his mother and gives her a big hug. "Ma, you have no idea what this means to us. It would have taken years to purchase all these things". "Are you sure you have everything you need?", she asks. "This is your last chance." "Yes, ma'am", Eddy says. "Thank you so much".

Then Brett remembers something. He walks over to the store room and marks each of his boxes with a big starry X. As he returns to Eddy and his mother, the workers start returning. She explains what they need to do with the stuff the pair picked out, including the boxes in the store room, makes sure the foreman has the address for delivery, and then starts discussing paperwork with Mr. Williams again. Eddy and Brett thank her again before leaving.