Standing still in the clothing isle you wait patiently for the woman or “mother” to return from the dressing room, your eyes catching all of the items in the accessory section of the princess dress-up area.
The sparkle from a fake gem in a princess’s tiara catches your eye as you skip closer smiling as you look at all the cute trinkets. ‘maybe mum will get me this” you begin to think internally as a loud crash of boxes fall in the distance jolting your attention away from the childish accessories. turning your head you see the store clerk leave the dressing room initially confused why she was wearing new clothing herself. The clacking of her heels could be heard getting louder as she walked towards you, dressed in a professional office attire consisting of a black pencil skirt and a designer white blouse with a parade handbag resting on her bent elbow. a turquoise blue party dress clutched in her other hand.
“ Okay I found your party dress, now grab your bag and lets go pay the nice lady “ she says as she reaches for your hand pulling you along.
“Oh thank you, mummy I can’t wait to show daddy and… “ you begin to say as you quickly cover your mouth with your free hand, ‘ No that’s not right I’m like a grownup, I need to change right?, wait didn’t I need some shoes.. no... I think I used to be older? your thoughts feel a bit muddled as you arrive at the cash register while holding your mother's hand.
“Aww I bet you’ll look adorable in this, is it for a birthday? “ The till lady says as she scans the items
while you hardly pay her any attention.
“come on Lina answer the nice lady, “ your ‘mother’ says tugging your arm and jolting your attention once more.
Forgetting your train of thought you pause for a second then realize what the lady was referring to and give a radiant smile, “ Yeah I’m turning 9 next week! “ you say as you lean into your ‘mother while she strokes your scalp. ’
After completing the transaction, you leave the store holding your mother's hand as you both navigate out of the busy mall, your inner thoughts of being an adult silenced as you marvel at all the mall decorations. Crossing the car park you pass a car and can’t shake the feeling you’ve seen it before, pausing to look at it some beat-up ford focus, ‘ This isn’t right.. isn’t this mine.., wait no how could it be mine, I don’t know how to drive do I? ‘ confused you begin to think back to the store to jog your memory when you feel a tug in your arm,
“come on Lina, we can’t be late you have violin practice at 7 and homework to do “ snapping out of your daze once more as you blink a few times the confusing voices in your head dissipating.
“Sorry mummy but like what's that thingy you sometimes get when you feel like you know something or something “ – you stumble to say, struggling to find the words.
“ Oh you mean deja-vu” She replies unlocking the white Audi and opening the door for you to climb in.
“Oh okay, well I had that, is that bad?” you say inquisitively while putting on your seatbelt.
“No its just something people get when they experience familiar memories, you probably remember coming here once before with me and passed the same car” She says warmly, stroking your long hair.
You sit back comfortable picking up the bag with your party dress, a big smile forming as your mother reverses the car, smirking at her daughter in awe of her present.
“Right let's go” she says while exiting the car park.