Pena de Bernal by: Luzmaria Tolkov, Ink and Foil, 2019

The Ms. Sherrys

“You wanna pick out some outfits you like while I go look at something real quick?”
 

“Why?” Sonia asks. “We’re not gonna buy anything, anyway.”
 

I know this. It’s the only thing I can think of to keep my sister distracted, though. Plus, tryin’ on clothes is something we have fun doing. Our hopes of what the future may hold for us all wrapped up in a nice-ass flowered shirt.

“I know, Sonia! You think I’m stupid, or what? Just pick out some things and meet me in the dressing room, ok?”

“Fine.” She says, rolling her eyes. She starts walking toward the ‘junior’ section of the store.

I head towards the jewelry section, anxious and determined to leave with at least three pairs today. I like coming on weekdays because the mall is pretty much empty. The only people that come are those that ain’t got nothin’ else to do. Those with money leave with a bunch of stuff they probably won’t even wear, and those like us, well….  As I get closer I already see the first pair I have to have. The light reflects off of them like the light shines off a crystal chandelier in one of them fancy houses our mom cleans. Except when these things shine, they shine a square of light pink that reminds me of watered down Pepto Bismol, with green and blue in the middle that reminds me of the colors we draw the world when we’re kids.

I casually reach for the earrings and slowly start to take them off the little cardboard thing that holds them. Those things have sensors. I glance up to make sure no one is looking before I put them in the pocket of my black hoodie. First pair down, two to go. I glance up one more time and I see this lady smiling at me from the perfume section. Shit. I think she saw me. Damn. She’s walking this way. Man, they’re just earrings lady. Just act like you didn’t see and we can both move on with our lives. It’s not like they’re real or anything. I know this store can afford the, what was it?? Oh, 15 dollars and 99 cents these things cost.

“Can I help you, sweetie?” She asks with a smile on that face with way too much make-up. She’s wearing way too much perfume, too. Where do they even make that combination? She got ripped off. I wouldn’t buy somethin’ that smells like roses and mothballs. Her nametag says ‘Ms. Sherry.’

“No thanks,” I say. “Just looking.”

Still smiling she asks, “Which ones were you considering?”

Seriously? I know they don’t pay her extra for this shit. I knew I shouldn’t have drawn in my eyebrows like this today! Man, I knew I got them too thin. Got me lookin’ like I’m from East LA. Or maybe it’s the eyebrow ring? Whatever.

I point at the duplicates of the ones in my hoodie pocket.

“You have good taste.” She says as she smiles again.

I could roll my eyes at her. Why the hell is she so happy?? She takes the earrings from the rack and says, “Follow me.” Ah, shit. This is the part where I usually run, but for some reason, I don’t feel the urge to. Things aren’t going like they normally do.

“Hey, Sofia! I’m ready!” I hear my sister call out from the dressing room.

“Ahí voy!” I reply. I don’t want her to see what the hell is about to happen.

We get to the register. The lady scans the earrings. I hear the clickety-clack of a few keys, and then she hands them to me. I look at her confused as hell.

Again, she smiles.

“Take care of your sister,” she says. “Y’all are gonna make it, someday, honey.”

I can’t help but look her dead in the eyes. I don’t know what I’m looking for in them. Maybe the same thing she sees in mine, as she stares back. With my free hand, I slowly reach into the right pocket of my hoodie. I pull out the earrings and gently place them on the counter, still unsure of what just happened. She grabs them, clickety-clack again, and hands them back.

“Oh! Here’s the receipt, darlin’.”

I stare at the three things in my hands. Dazed. I don’t know why, but I feel a strong tug at my eyes.

“Thank you ma’am,” I say. Shit, I may be a lot of things, but rude ain’t one of them.

I turn and walk towards the dressing room, trying not to smile that cheesy ass smile. Even though that’s how I feel on the inside.