A Car Ride Home

N E G O T I A T I O N

P r e v i o u s l y . . . 

"I met someone," Al told him.

"One of the drug dealers? Al, don't tell me you sold your soul," Fred stated, getting worried.

"No no. Nothing like that. I met someone good, who took me in," Al spoke of Lilly like the angel she is. "And I got a job."

"Shit! Your a new man," Fred smiled. "Well, damn, I'm happy for you." Then, Fred did something Al hadn't been expecting, he hugged him. "You did it." Fred held back the tears he wanted to shed. "You got out." Al patted Fred's back. After a moment Fred released Al, and stepped back. "I'm sure you have important places you have to be. Go live your life," he smiled, before returning to his spot on the curb.

"I'll see you around. Take care of yourself," Al stated, walking away. He didn't know a lot of people on the streets, but Fred was a good man. Al hated that he didn't have anything to give him.

As soon as he entered the mall, he spotted Lilly. 

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Lilly hopped into her car, and drove to the mall as soon as work was over. She arrived a little after nine, giving her a little more than twenty minutes to shop for Al, before she was to meet him. When she was getting ready to enter the mall she spotted a homeless man sitting on the curb with a sign asking for food, and instantly thought of Al, and all the people that probably ignored him. She couldn't stand the thought of being another to walk past the man, so she went to the closest shop, and ordered a burger and ice water.

"Excuse me, sir, do you like burgers," She asked, shocking the man on the curb. 

"Yes," he nodded smiling brightly. "Thank you, sweetheart," he added.

"Of course. Have a good day," she smiled, before walking away.

"God bless," the man called to her. She turned back to him, and smiled. Her heart was so filled with emotions. She didn't mean to feel so much, but she did. Her heart has been so closed for the last year, and in a day Al has somehow wormed his way in.

Focus, she scolded herself. Heading towards Bath & Body Works, she grabbed the body wash for men. Then, she went to Walmart, and grabbed a toothbrush, men deodorant, a luffa, and shampoo. Feeling out of her league she stopped, and went to checked out. "Boyfriend moving in?" The girl at check out asked.

"Something like that," Lilly smiled at the girl, trying to make conversation.

"My advice, train him early to put the toilet seat down," the girl stated with a face that said, she has fallen in one too many times.

"Thanks," Lilly smiled, taking her bags, and leaving. She found a bench close to the main entrance and waited for Al.

Lilly didn't have to wait too long, for when she looked up he was walking straight to her. "Hey," he smiled, once he reached her.

"Hey," she replied, trying to fight back her instant grin. "How did the hunt go?"

"Bad, up until the end. I got a job at VONS. I just have to fill out these forums and take care a few other things. Then I'm in. You are looking at the new stock boy," Al stated, popping his collar, causing a giggle to erupt out of Lilly. 

"I'm so proud of you!" She exclaimed, remembering herself how trying job hunting can be. "Wait-VONS?"

Al nodded still smiling. 

"We are going to be working together!"

"Just let me know when you get sick of me," Al told her, but she knew he was joking. She realized it would be very hard to be tired of Al. 

"So, in honor of your new job, I think we should take you to get some clothes that actually fit you," Lilly stated, finding herself looking towards the celling instead of his eyes, knowing he won't like the idea. 

"Lilly," he started, but she stopped him.

"As well as you may be rocking those hand me downs, we both know they do not fit, and if you are going to be stocking shelves, you need clothes that are comfortable," Lilly argued, meeting his eyes with a silent challenge that excited her. She wanted him to argue back. 

He cocked his brow, another one of his looks she was slowly becoming familiar with. "One outfit," he stated as if it was a negotiation.

"Three," Lilly tried.

"Two," Al shook his head.

"Fine, two, and a pair of shoes," Lilly sped out.

"Fine," Al practically seethed as though Lilly was asking him to pluck his eyebrows off. "Wait. Did you say I was rocking the hand me downs?" He asked, causing red to rush into Lilly's cheeks.

"Come on, let's go before the stores close," Lilly stated, trying to cover up the embarrassing moment.  

"The stores just opened," Al reasoned, but didn't push her, seeing that she was flustered. As they were walking down the shops, he finally realized she was holding bags already. "Here let me get those for you." He took the bags from her, and she didn't put up much of a fight. Lilly handed the bags over to him hoping he didn't peak inside. She wanted to surprise him after they got the outfits.

Lilly saw the people walking through the mall together; holding hands, girls tucked in the armpits of their partners, or dragging them into a store. Then she looked at Al, who now held his own presents happily. There was a small gap between them. "Where should we go first?" She asked, not really knowing herself. She hasn't really had much of experience with shopping for men's clothing. 

For some reason Al felt as lost as Lilly appeared. It has been years since he shopped for clothing. The army provided their clothes, and he found the clothes he wore on the streets at salvation army's. "Honestly, I have no idea," he stated.

"Okay, um-" Lilly took in her surroundings searching for a good store she knew sold men's clothing. "We could try H&M. They have really good sales and cute clothes, or er- handsome clothes?" She tried.

"Ha ha, okay, let's go check out the cute clothing," Al chuckled, winking at Lilly. At first they had no luck. 

The clothes fit Al, but Lilly thought they didn't fit his style, so she kept looking, saying "if you're only letting me buy two outfits they will be perfect!"

Four stores, eleven trips to the dressing room, and two near exits later, they did it. Al had two outfits that worked for him. "Thank you, Lilly," Al stated with an earnest smile.

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To be continued...