The mall and other earthly delights

Girl's club. That is what G, A's boyfriend, has deemed the alternative name for our book club. Maybe he imagines us braiding each other's hair, as we giggle about boys and our monthly cycles. Who knows? (I'm not any better because I always poker night as guys in a circle smoking cigars talking about getting laid.) For the most part, we do manage to discuss the book, nosh on food and chat about work, significant others etc.. Although that is not to say, an escape from the adult world is welcomed now and then.

On Sunday, after the book club meeting concluded, SS, agreed to drive me and my bike home. It was a hot and sticky day and the prospect of riding home was kind of gross. Luckily, SS had brought her family's minivan so it worked out pretty well. SS also wanted to go to Lord and Taylor to purchase some eye shadow from Clinique, who was having a bonus gift. A trip to the mall sounded delightful and I asked if I could tag along. A and NN were already going too and a group trip was almost an adventure. The four of us piled into silver people mover with my bike in the back. We drove to the Natick mall.


Now, I have not been to a mall since Christmas. Considering Independence Day had just passed, this statement sounds even more unamerican. But I live in a city, and I do about 99% of all of my shopping online.

When I walked in and the cool air conditioned breeze hit my face, I smelt the mixture of plastic, new clothes, and mall food. I was a little disoriented at first. I insisted to A that I had been to this mall before, but I could not remember the circumstances. But wasn't the Delaria hair salon on the 2nd floor? Then I realized that all malls were pretty similar, and what I was recognizing was a mall not any mall in particular.

We first went into PacSun, to say "hello" to NN's husband. Racks of brightly colored tanks tops were 50% off, attracting our attention immediately. We browsed, chatted a bit, and left.


Next stop was Lord and Taylor. The three of us milled around the Clinique counter and SS chose teal and grey eyeshadows. Which one did we like better? SS showed us all the color possibilities on the back of her right hand. After choosing two eyeshadows and one eyeliner, she took her special bonus gift and we were off again.

Staying with the theme of makeup, we made it up to Sephora. I was intrigued by the all the tools, scary medieval torture devices to remove and lance black heads, heated eyelash curlers, electronic pimple zappers, and brushes for every type of make-up application. I bought a tube of clear mascara, A light blue eyeshadow, and NN some mascara.

Now, we all had make up in our bags and felt a little giddy from the purchase. What was that delicious smell? SS said it was Auntie Anne's pretzels. If only it was Cinnabon, I would have been all over that.

After the mall, SS said we could stop by the bike store, if I wanted. Very exciting. We all piled back into the minivan. I can't remember what we were talking about, but for some reason it I remember laughing and thinking I was 16 again.

Wait, the golden arches ahead! I said. SS pulled into the McDonald's "drive thru". I love drive through windows. Back in the days when I had a car, my car was always littered with In & Out napkins, and El Pollo Loco straws. A says she loves nothing better than a fountain Coke. SS got soft serve. I got french fries and NN had a McDonald's gift card for all our mid afternoon snacks.

We got to the bike store soon after. I had forgotten how in the suburbs space was less on an issue and marveled at the rows of bicycles. Unfortunately, they did not have the single speed bike I wanted. But our saleman, J, was overjoyed to talk to us. He made wild hand gestures and asked us to follow him so could write down all the websites that I could look at to assemble my own bike. And then he said this "Oh a day with the girls. That sounds like so much fun. I used to have all of these friends that were girls but not so much anymore. Strange since I am a theater major and all...." SS and I laughed a little bit because how great would have been to have a college boy to crush on...well if we were still in high school.

SS dropped off us all home and as the sliding door of the minivan closed, I thought a girl's club may not be such a bad idea.