“Why are we standing in line uncle Jed?”
“So you can buy that toy I saw you looking at on the TV.”
Adaline felt her face grow red hot as she fiddled with the hem of her dress. “I…I don’t want anything! Besides Bobby and Tommy said toys are for babies, and I’m no baby.” She said firmly, as she starred down at her shoes.
“Of course you aren’t, Sweet tooth.” Jed agreed, ruffling her hair.
The line in front of Rocco’s Wacky & Wany Toy Emporium was frighteningly long. Nearly wrapping around to the back of the building. Thanks to Jed’s foresight, the pair had gotten there early in the morning. He’d carried his still sleeping niece from the car, all the way to where they stood, and continued to until she properly woke up to stand for herself.
The doors of the store opened, the crowd shuffling in with a hurried slowness of a snail hopped up on caffeine. As they shuffled forward, Adaline couldn’t help but to look at one of the posters as they passed. On it, was a plush doll of a bejeweled pink, blue, and purple otter. Her hands clenched the hem of her dress tight. Her uncle pulled his hand out of his pocket, holding it out casually beside her. By the time they got to the front door, Adaline’s hand had slipped it’s way into his.
Despite it being so early In the morning, the store was abuzz with activity. Dozens of people scurrying about the story like ants. Adaline’s grip on his hand tightened. Unlike her uncle, she was short even for her age. Barely getting up to his knee. Although she didn’t want to admit it, Adaline was worried that she’d be swept away if she stepped inside.
“It’s okay,” Her uncle said.” I got you, come on.” The reassurance in his simple words brought a much-needed confidence over her.
To her surprise, the sea of people parted as they walked into the store. Giving her and her uncle a wide birth, some even whispering quiet “excuse me,” or “thank you for your service” as they passed. Jed nodded politely to each one as he directed her to the right isle.
Adaline looked from the doll to her uncle. He looked down at her, giving her a familiar warm smile. Even still, she hesitated. “But…Bobby and Tommy…”
Before she could finish Jed knelt down to look her eye to eye. “Don’t you worry ‘bout them. If they start messing with you about it tell them it’s my toy, and they can see me about it.” He gave her a wink. “What do you say?”
A minute later, Adaline was walking beside her uncle to the check out. Her arms wrapped around a bejeweled pink, blue, and purple otter. The small girl grinning from ear to ear.
Jayson J. 