Chapter Twenty-One: Market Trip:

It’s a market. What else was there? I followed behind as mom ran around, looking for what she wanted.

“What exactly are we looking for?” I asked. Mom looked over her shoulder.

“Just the usual,” she said. I rolled my eyes.

“Could’ve have gone to the supermarket for that?” I asked.

“This place is better!” she said. I put up my hands.

“Okay, okay,” he said. “Fine.” I could tell that mom was smiling to herself. It didn’t help that my phone kept blowing up. Ignoring them kept getting harder to do. I am going to have to talk to them to get them to stop. I shook my head. Just get through this trip and everything will be fine.

When it comes to the farmer’s market, mom will just lose her mind. Looks like it’s going to come down to me this time. My sisters don’t have it in them to do it. They aren’t old enough and they haven’t dealt with teenagers over the years.

“What are you looking for today?” I asked again.

“Oh, just this and that,” she said.

“What exactly are you looking for though?” I asked. “Do we need anything?” Mom took a moment to think about that.

“Well…” she said. I raised my eyebrow. Wait patiently. She might have something legitimate to say. Mom shrugged and shook her head.

“I don’t know,” she said. I frowned. Really? Why did I see this coming?

“Okay,” I said. “Just follow me. I will take it from here.” Mom turned to me with a confused look on her face.

“Huh?” she asked. I took hold of her hand and led her over to the vegetable section. I refused to be held up in the farmer’s market all day. If I’m not careful, she will stop and try to have a conversation with anyone she comes in contact with. No thank you. I am not in the mood for that today. (Not that I have anything to rush back to anymore.)

First, we looked through the vegetables. I do have to admit that they have so good stuff here. The markets in Boston were good, but there was something special about being here. I couldn’t quite explain it myself. I turned to mom.

“Let’s make an eggplant casserole tonight,” I said. Mom gave me a strange look.

“What?” I asked.

“What?” she asked. We stared at each other for a long moment. I shrugged.

“I mean… why not?” I said. “I’m not really doing anything today anyway.” Mom narrowed her eyes at me.

“What?” I asked. She shook her head and picked up an eggplant. I didn’t like that look on her face. Oh no. She thinks that I need something else to do.

“I’m fine, mom,” I said. She glanced over her shoulder.

“I didn’t say anything,” she said.

“But you were giving me that look,” I said. I picked up a tomato and turned it in my hand, looking at it. Not bad. I tore off a plastic bag and put the tomato into the bag.

“What look?” she asked. I huffed as I put in another tomato.

“You’re looking at me like I need something else to do,” I said. “I’m trying.” Mom shrugged.

“If you say so,” she said. I frowned as I put in one more tomato in the bag. Mom picked up a head of lettuce and examined it. My phone buzzed again, but I refused to reach into my pocket to look.

We made it over to the dairy section. Milk, cheese, and homemade ice cream went into the basket. Mom looked at me when I held up one carton of the latter.

“Can we please get this?” I asked. Mom frowned.

“How old are you?” she asked.

“Please?” I pleaded. She rolled her eyes.

“Whatever,” mom said.

“Yes!” I said, pumping my fist in the air. My mom sighed.

“You’re too old to be acting like that,” she said to herself. I pretended not to hear her.

The rest of the shopping trip went well. I did my best to keep mom on track. She did manage to try and wander off to talk to old friends. One of which, she didn’t take a hint. Other than that, we did pretty well. Yes, I was still getting text, but I managed to ignore them. (It’s starting to test my patience, however. I was tempted to throw my phone across the market at one point. That still reminds to be seen.) Our baskets and bags were stuffed full. I could already picture what dinner was going to look like. I could taste that casserole in my mouth. However, knowing mom, she’s planning what to do next.

“Where are we going next?” I asked. She looked at me as we stood in the checkout line.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Come on, I know you,” I said. “It’s never a simple shopping trip with you. Where else are we going?”

“Nowhere,” she said. I raised my eyebrow.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said. I let her response hang there for a moment. Part of my wanted to push “x” for doubt. Instead, I threw up my hands.

“Fine,” I said. “Fine.” We made it up to the cashier. The check out girl rang up all of the groceries.

“That will be $58.28,” she said. Mom took out her card and paid for everything. The checkout girl printed off the receipt. Mom signed her name on the dotted line.

“Have a good day,” the cashier said. I nodded as mom and I headed out the door. Somehow, the shopping trip was a little bit relaxing. Still, I had reality to creep up and follow me around. It started right in the parking lot.

“Nathan?” I heard someone ask. My eyes grew wide.

“What?” mom asked when she saw my face.

“Don’t tell me…” I said. I slowly turned around.