Max has always loved being a tomboy but once in a small-time she'll want to dress up… but she isn't the best at dressing herself.
Sadly, she got that from me… So when she has those impulses to feel cute, we go out to shop and get dolled up.
But Ummm… maybe it's because she's getting older but her idea for dressing up is a little different from what I remember she likes.
Looking around at my surroundings… Seriously, I have no idea what we are doing.. I've been sitting in this cramped room with loud screaming music for half an hour. A group of teenagers squeezes by the sitting area to walk in the belly of that monster. There are tons of t-shirts hanging on the walls as if that's their wallpaper, "TSK", it smells sweaty, and you have to squint to even see in the store like… turn some lights on.
Crossing my arms and legs, I don't want to touch anything. I might get sick… "Mom!" Max waves from the inside of the store.
I hope she doesn't want me to go to her. Another group of teens walked by yelling and laughing, without realizing it I gave a disgusted look. "Uh… Mom? are you okay?" Max says handing me a shopping bag.
"I'm fine, did you find what you wanted," I asked, peeking in her bag.
"Yup and I even bought you something to wear too,"
"Fuck.." I freeze and start my nervous hiccups. I didn't mean to say that out loud, I looked up at Max to apologize but she was looking at the food court. Maybe she didn't hear me.
"Are you hungry?" I say, standing up.
"Kinda… but," Max's face turns red.
leaning down to her level, squinting, I look in her direction and find a poster. "Do like the… Post-a.Group?" walking towards the poster.
"Mom?! Don't… I wasn't looking, I was looking at the food. I'm starving!" Max says, rubbing her stomach.
I take one more look at the poster before walking with her. "They look familiar…"
We end up ordering some burgers and fries. After we were done eating, Max wanted to go to one more store.
I take her hand, "Max, 30mins we will meet back here okay?", look around making sure it's a big enough space for me to spot her or for her to spot me.
Pulling her hand away, Max steps back, "I know, I'm not a kid anymore," I watch her walk into the store and disappear.
OKAY! That band… looked real familiar. I pulled out the shirt she bought at the first store. The poster band is on her shirt… "Yes," I knew I saw them from somewhere.
Lean back against a nearby wall, still able to see the store entrance. Okay, that would also make sense of her new style.
"Mhmm… The poster stated something happening tonight?" I whisper.
glancing back at the store entrance, it won't take that long. I make a run for it, It's just a quick look.
Running through the crowd, "Excuse me," I yell. If I remember correctly, the poster was slightly outside of the food court.
I reach the food court, I look up at the clock on the wall. Crap, 10 mins left, looking left and right, I can't remember where I saw it. It can't be too far,
A crowd of teens walks by, "Hey," I call out.
The whole group turns and looks me up and down. Damn, they're more vicious in numbers.
Clearing my throat, "Are you familiar with the band? Posty stick?" Once again silence and looking at me. "uh… Okay? Are they playing tonight? and do you know where?"
They look at each other before laughing, "What… Posty!" One kid said. "Like a posty note," They laugh even harder.
"Fuck…" rolling my eyes, "answer my question please," checking the clock again, 5mins.
A girl steps up from the group and holds a flier in her hand. "Here, we aren't Posty… We are the Post-a-Kill,"
My eyes opened wide realizing they are the flipping group. "Woah, that's cool! you all made a big name for yall's self. and sorry about the name…" I give a 'sorry' smile, "OH! do you mind if you can sign this shirt?"
They look at each other before grabbing the shirt and taking turns signing. "Is this for you child? since I'm pretty sure you aren't a fan of ours," They start laughing again.
Teens…. rolling my eyes again. They hand me the shirt back, "Yes, my daughter, Max,"
"Cool, well we are pretty hungry, but we'll see you tonight," The girl gives a polite smile before walking away with the others following her.
What a weird group… Looking up to check the clock… I'm 5 mins over… Stuffing the shirt back in the bag and making a run for it again.
"MOM!" Max, reaches out to me, "Are you okay? Are we being chased," She looks behind me.
Catching my breath, "No, no, I was trying to get us to a concert tonight,"
Max looks at me bewildered, "Mom? are you sure you are okay?" Max says, walking me towards a bench.
"Sweetheart, I'm fine. We'll need to go back to the motel and get ready," I give her a wide smile.
Still confused, Max follows along.
Once we get back to the motel, I shove the shirt and a pair of holey jeans, pushing her into the bathroom.
Giggling to myself, I wait for it. Waiting by the door, I hear it. "MOOOOOOM!!!!!!"
Bursting into laughter, I knew she would freak out! I try to sound as normal as possible, "Yes?"
The door bursts open, and Max jumps out wearing the shirt and jeans. "Mom! how did you get this signed in 30mins… wait is that why you were late?" Max continues to bounce around the room, "Mom! why aren't you dressed, we need to leave!"
… Okay maybe a little too excited, I give her a glare, "Max," raising an eyebrow, "You still don't have shoes on," Looking her up and down.
"Well go get dressed while I put my shoes on," Max says, shoving clothes in my arms.
After getting dressed and putting on heavy black makeup. We head out to the concert, once we arrive, Max would not stop bouncing around. It was getting a bit overwhelming for me but I'm happy she's happy.
She picks a corner space in the middle of the crowd, the teen group comes out on stage and everyone including Max screams.
But when they came out on the stage they transformed into rockstars. I almost didn't believe it was them I met. I guess that's what disguises are for.
An hour passes, and my legs and ears are tired. But Max is still bouncing, I just watch her jump around full of joy. I start laughing, I'm glad I did this, I mean it's definitely out of my comfort zone… But it's not for me, it's for her.
"Hey! Friends, I just want to say 'welcome' to our new friend,"
Looking up I see the girl lead is talking, "Max!!! Hello, MAX!!!! Your mom seems nice but funny!" The group starts laughing.
Rolling my eyes, Max whips her head at me. I give her a shy smile, "Yes?"
"MOM!!!" Tears fell down her face, "This is the best day ever!"
Well, now I know how to get mommy points… Just need to get to know her interests.