Cree stood tip-toed, arm outstretched above her head, straining to reach the liter of diet Coca-Cola on the top shelf. It didn’t help that Cree was abnormally stout, or that the six-packs of Orange Dry on the lower shelf were sticking into her protruding stomach. Cree glanced around hopefully looking for someone to help her retrieve the soda, but her eyes were only met with the rest of aisle twelve. She peered longingly at the salty snacks stacked high on the shelves at the end of the aisle, which were conveniently located right next to the carbonated beverages. Just as Cree began imagining her next gorging, she was broken out of her trance by a tall pink figure whipping around the corner.
Just as Cree was registering who the woman was she said, “Cree? Cree, is that you?”
“Oh, hey Serena. It's been a while,” Cree replied, glad she remembered who it was after so long.
“It's been at least two or three years at least. I think the last time we talked was at The Washburns' Christmas party, and they've been divorces for two years by now.” Serena thought back to that happy time when her family actually went to parties together.
“You're probably right, but I doubt it was a few years ago,” Cree said. “You look like you haven't aged a day.”
Serena smiled at the comment remembering how nice her old friend could be. She pushed her cart in the direction of Cree and replied, “It feels like it’s been a while. What have you been up to?”
“Just everyday life, ya know? Sonny just started first grade and he loves it. He’s doing soccer this year too.” Cree said as she began strolling with her cart alongside Serena.
“How’s that going for him?” Serena asked genuinely.
“Very good, he’s making a lot more friends,” Cree said as she made another attempt at the Coca-Cola liter. “How are Meredith and Kristen doing?”
Laughing at her friend’s attempt, Serena easily reached up to the top shelf and handed the liter to Cree. “They’re doing okay. I just got back from taking them both to the mall. Kristen is meeting her boyfriend there and Meredith wanted to get some supplies for her birthday party.”
Cree put the Coke in her cart and continued pushing it down the aisle alongside Serena. “She’s having a birthday party soon?”
Serena looked over, “Oh yeah, it’s the big thirteen. She’s inviting about thirty kids so that’s why I’m here; I need to pick up a lot of food.”
Cree wondered why Serena was letting a thirteen year old invite over so many kids for a party, but instead just replied, “Wow, thirteen already. It’s hard to believe they grow up so fast. Faith is 14 now.”
Shaking her head and rounding the corner of the aisle Serena said, “I know, it is hard to believe. How’s she doing?”
Cree struggled to make the sharp turn with her cart and accidentally knocked over a stack of tea-bag boxes. Flustered, she squatted to pick them up quickly and said, “She’s having some trouble adjusting to high school. I think it is kind of a shock to her.”
Serena leaned over to help Cree pick the boxes up and nodded as a sign for her to go on. “I don’t think she feels like she fits in and she doesn’t have that many friends.” Cree paused, “It’s just a bit hard for her right now, but I’m sure she’ll make some friends soon.”
Serena and Cree stood, stacking the boxes the way they were before. Serena replied with assurance, “I’m sure she will.” Then she continued, “Kristen is having some trouble in school now too. I guess there were some rumors going around about her, but she won’t tell me what they were about. She just wants to be with her boyfriend all the time now.”
A shadow of worry came across Serena’s face but Cree simply laughed it off, “Senior girls will tend to want to do that. Haha.”
Serena attempted a smile but wasn’t convinced she quite pulled it off genuinely. Scrambling for something to say next, she was thankfully interrupted by the ringing of her blackberry, “I’m sorry I have to take this.”
Cree nodded and Serena answered the phone, “Hey honey.”
There was a pause before Serena spoke again, “Oh… I see. Alright, I’ll get her.”
There was another short pause followed by a quick, “Yeah, it’s okay. See you tomorrow.”
Cree looked up from her nails, which she had been staring at intently to see a hurt expression on Serena’s face as she said, “I’m so sorry Cree but I have to go pick up Meredith from her friend’s house. I thought William was going to be able to get her, but” she sighed, “he just told me he has to work through the night.”
Cree replied cheerfully, “That’s okay! I’m just glad we bumped into each other. Give me a call sometime okay?”
Looking over her shoulder as she hurriedly pushed her cart away Serena smiled and shouted, “That sounds great. I’ll make sure to give you a call sometime.”
For some reason, Cree didn’t really believe she would be getting that call.
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