BrookLyn's Journey by Coffey Brown Page B

BrookLyn on the lips right in front of a lady and her little girl walking to their car. They must not have notice d, or the mother was really open minded, because they didn’t look at the girls in horror. Gabby grabbed BrookLyn’s hand and walked her into the mall.
    “We won’t be here that long. We have to meet everybody in about an hour. Can you shop quickly?”
    “I’ve never shopped here before , but I am sure I can .”
    “I’ll lead. You follow.”
    BrookLyn nodded in agreement , her eyes wide, looking around at the many stores and clothes. They walked into what Gabby said was her favorite store. BrookLyn must have had a stunned look on her face, because Gabby looked at her and giggled.
    BrookLyn couldn’t believe she was in a store full of True Religion jeans. Some of her classmates wore them to school and she’d always liked them. Once she looked at the price tags , she was even more aware that she was out of her element. She tried not to gasp out loud . Being here in the mall was another dream that Gabby made come true for BrookLyn.
    They walked around for a bit then Gabby grabbed a few pair s of jeans, a couple of shirts and one jean jacket and toss ed them over her folded arms. She already had a pile of clothes , but continued searching the circular racks , pulling clothes off for BrookLyn to try on. “I’ll wait out here while you try them on . ” She hand ed her some of the clothes.
    BrookLyn looked at the salesgirl who was getting ready to unlock the dressing room. “Can she come in with me?”
    “Well, we’re not supposed to let you do that but sure, go ahead . ” The sales girl wink ed. “Ain’t my store . ”
    BrookLyn thanked the girl and held the door open for Gabby. Then she planted a big kiss on her cheek after the door was clos ed. She hadn’t told Gabby her size before she started piling up the clothes for her to try on , but they all looked right . “So, you know my size , too?”
    “Baby girl, I know all there is to know about you including your favorite color, shoe size and favorite jeans. When are you going to believe me?”
    “The problem is , I do believe you , but I can’t believe it .” They kissed again , this time on the lips . And then BrookLyn realized that she would have to get undressed in front of Gabby . I should have thought about that. She had been concerned about having Gabby there to tell her what looked good and what didn’t—she had no clue—but she had forgotten this part.
    “I’ll turn around . ”
    “I’m sorry . ” B rookLyn was happy that Gabby had read her mind that time. At least she didn’t have to say it.
    “Don’t be . ” Gabby turned to fac e the wall.
    BrookLyn removed her jeans to try on the new clothes. I t was the happiest she had ever been in her life right at th at moment. She could feel her heart filling up as she put on a pair of the jeans that Gabby had pulled off the rack . Then she added the t-shirt and jean jacket that Gabby had brought into the dressing room.
    “You can turn around,” she said.
    “It’s about time . ” Gabby turned and looked almost as happy for BrookLyn as BrookLyn felt for herself.
    “You like?” BrookLyn modeled the outfit around the small space , strutting in front of Gabby in her seated position. She had placed a hat on her head and BrookLyn thought the way Gabby wore it was sexy. She almost lost her breath.
    “You have no idea just how much I like it . ” Gabby grabbed BrookLyn around the waist pulling her close. She to re the tags off the clothes and said, “You can wear this outfit tonight and the rest we can take home and leave at my house.”
    “I need to try them on. Don’t I?”
    “Not really. The y’re all the same style and cut. You’ll be fine.”
    BrookLyn held her breath and glanced at the pile of her old clothes —h er old self . She plopped down on the dressing room bench beside Gabby as tears surfaced, trying to ruin their shopping party. She looked at Gabby , as if