Her mother pulled her along the pass the bright window displays. The long frilly dresses overwhelmed most of the windows as it was soon to be spring. It was a shopping date with her mother and grandmother. The sky was shining blue with familiar chords played on the speakers out in the shopping district.
Flashes of color and sparkly sequins galore. Charlotte preferred timeless pieces such as an all black ensemble, white blouses, neutral skirts, denim jeans. But her mother through a pink one piece to her with short thin straps and a tiered skirt.
It was busy today, and she wove between the bustling people to get to their next destination. In Charlotte's mind, a stop for a refreshing cup of tea. But in her mother's mind, another store. The storefronts were all beautifully designed to capture the eye. Her mother pulled through a door into clothing store with multiple floors.
They stepped into the airconditioned store, and Charlotte marveled at the many racks of clothing. There were mirrored walls that created multiple reflections. She ran her hands along the metal rack and pulled out a short utility skirt that was khaki with many black straps. It would be cute for a night out.
Her mother sent her a side glance, and Charlotte sent her a side glance back when she saw the lacy slip dress in her mother's hands. Her mother picked up a dress and lifted it up in the air to inspect it. Charlotte grimaced when her mother tossed it to her.
The dress had thin straps with neatly tied bows at the top of the shoulders with a tiered skirt that was voluminous. It was a wash of baby pink with a square neck line. It was pretty but definitely not her style. She could tell her mother was teasing her when she caught her mother giggling like a school girl with her hand to her mouth.
Charlotte rolled her eyes and grabbed the dress with the tips of her fingers, hanging it back on where her mother found it. Her mother tossed her more clothing, and Charlotte sighed as they made their trek to find a fitting room.
"This one is really adorable," her mother passed her the sage blouse with a large collar.
Charlotte nodded, agreeing. "This one is cute."
She slipped it on and turned around in circle so that her mother could applaud her. Charlotte grinned when her mother inclined her head in approval instead.
"This one is a yes, honey," her mother said.
Charlotte threw the shirt into a pile only to add more items there when she tried them all on. Despite her mother always teasing her about wearing brighter clothing, she has got good taste.
Grandmother went to another store and told them to go on ahead. It was fun outing for them to go on occasion together since it was important to them all to gather together regularly.
Her father was busy today with work, so he couldn't join them which was why they all decided to go shopping. Her father wouldn't last a minute before getting bored. Charlotte smiled at the image.
They went out to the register to purchase their items. The lines were long, but it was bearable due to the store's efficiency. Everything was about efficiency these days. They stood in line to check out and the blue haired woman stuck out her hand.
"ID card," the woman called.
Charlotte pulled out her clear identification card and passed it over to the woman who scanned it in a square machine. A chiming sound went to her phone which notified that there was a purchase.
All money was online that was processed through the ID card. With that one card, every single detail about one's life was there.
Charlotte waited for her mother by the glass doors in case her grandmother was looking for them, swinging her bags that were made of thin holographic glass. She had the right thinking since she saw her grandmother walk down the boulevard looking for them.
"Grandmother!" Charlotte called.
Grandmother turned her head at the sound of Charlotte's voice and smiled. Charlotte shouldn't be shocked at the amount of bags that her grandmother had, but she still shook her head in disbelief.
"What did you buy?" Charlotte asked as her grandmother got closer.
"There was a sale on pots and home décor!"
Charlotte laughed just as her mother walked over rivaling the number of bags grandmother had.
"I'm scared of you two," Charlotte said. "Let's head home before we do any more damage."
Her grandmother smiled. "Yes, let's go. I'm thinking we should get dinner on our way back."
Her mother nodded. "Great idea."
Charlotte huffed an okay and off they went. The shopping district was near Centennial Center and there the buildings get enormous. In the very center is the city hall which had architecture that was beyond anyone's imagination.
A huge clashing noise made Charlotte turn her head to see construction going on in the distance before getting hit by the sound of the train as it went by. Her hair flew around her face, as the tracks rattled, creating a little metallic tune. The lights twinkled above signaling how nightfall will come soon.
Voices called for her to hurry, and she refocused on her mother and grandmother walking ahead with smiles lighting up their faces. Charlotte tucked the errant strands behind her ear and followed them out feeling less burdened.