Chapter 17

I got into Jon's car driving towards Albany, it was surprisingly easy to drive and I began to relax as Anna told me about the ideas she had for the nursery. I smiled at her as we drove towards our destination. We headed to the local strip mall even though I was one of the few places I ever liked shopping. But it had everything that Anna needed in one space without going all over hell's creation.

I parked as close as I could get to the front of the place and headed inside with her. She was browsing her list as I just was there as a moral support and manual labor. I laughed to myself I actually was looking forward to this shopping trip. It got my mind off yesterday and what was going to happen tomorrow. I still wasn't sure why the hell I was agreeing to go to the damn dance at all. I never usually went, I rather not go period. I didn't enjoy it my mom did but my mom was the exact opposite of me. She was a social butterfly as my brother liked to call it. She was always out doing something. Had married her high school sweetheart right out of high school and had my brother Caleb not even a year after,after trying to have another baby sixteen years later she had me. Then lost my dad four years later, I shivered not trying to think about that time. It had been a dark time in our family. I also didn't like to think about what happened six years ago when the light of my brother's life was tragically taken from him. My beautiful niece Kamilla who my great niece is named after died in childbirth. It had not been a good life for my family but we made due and got through it. I shook my head to get rid of the morbid thoughts.

We seem to have a plan set and we headed to the different stores. It was over an hour and half before we finished ordering what Anna wanted. Some of it we could take home with us in Jon's SUV the other stuff had to be brought by a truck. We headed to have lunch when we walked by another dress store. It had been the fifth one today I had watched Anna's eyes look at the dresses. “ready to eat some lunch An?”

'yeah in a bit how about we go browse some dresses... I want to check out the maternity section of Debs... huh come on...” She smiled at me.

I gave her a look. “why …. “ I looked at the dresses in the window there was a pretty blue one that had a flowing skirt and wrapped around the neck.

“cause we don't get to come here that often why not window shop a bit … see what they got … you never know you might like something you see...” She pulled at my hand “come on it be fun we haven't done this since we were in high school...and my wedding..”

I sighed shaking my head “Anna we are here to shop for baby stuff... not dresses..” I point “add in that store is expensive … even if I LIKE something there I can't afford it...” I looked towards the store again but finally gave in when Anna gave me that look. It took us two hours to get back out of that store. I had never tried on so many dresses before. The one dress I kept coming back to was the blue one in the front. It was long and flowing with a strap that went around my neck. It also had shoes and a coat to match it. I tried not to try it on because knowing me it probably wouldn't fit or was too expensive. Somehow I ended up trying it on anyway it actually fit me to my surprise. When I looked at the price for all three things I quickly removed them from myself. I was not going to spend what money I have on a dress costing fifty bucks. I set it aside so the cashier could put it back. It disappeared quite fast as I dressed back in my jeans. I went to find Anna who was standing to the side on the phone. I figured she was talking to Jake and didn't interrupt her. All I heard was yep and all set. I figured she was telling her hubby about the lovely baby stuff we got today. She was off the phone when she noticed me standing there. “you ready to get something to eat now did you get anything you wanted?”

“No nothing in my size today ….” She smiled as we headed out to get something to eat and head back home. I didn't know my friend could be so sneaky.

♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

Meanwhile back in town Jon was showing Richie around the small town. He had to take Jovi for a walk anyway. He hoped they didn't have any run ins with any of the girls today. He knew he wouldn't have an issue with Kari as she was working. That left the rest that made up the bitchzillas as Richie called them. He was going through the park with Jovi when his phone rang. He had to laugh as Anna sounded really happy that they pulled this over on her friend. He hoped she didn't kill him or her after this. “good job Anna I'll go grab it later when you guys get home......” He laughed when he got the affirmative. He hung up. “mission accomplished..”

Richie looked at him. “what was that about?”

“well Shanna didn't have a dress for the dance tomorrow and I know she wouldn't let me get her one .. or her friends so we arranged for one to be gotten today when she went shopping with Anna..” He shrugged “that was Anna letting me know the dress shoes and coat are waiting for me at the mall in the Deb's store...” He shrugged “if I find a necklace to go with it she's all set..”

“Sneaky man sneaaaaaaky...” Richie laughed. They finished their walk. They were lucky they didn't get bum rushed by anyone. Richie enjoyed seeing the small town he saw what Jon saw. It was a nice place with some really nice people. Yet something about the place made him a bit annoyed he couldn't put his finger on it. He would have to talk to Jon about it later. They headed to the apartment an about an hour later Shanna and Anna pulled up in front of the coffee shop. Jon and He were waiting there for them. “here let me help..” he grabbed a few bags “looks like you got a lot of stuff..”

Anna nodded and rolled her eyes when Jon grabbed the rest along with Shanna. “I may be eight months pregnant but I am not helpless you know...”

“don't argue Anna … it won't work..” Shana stated with a grin as they headed inside. After they got the stuff upstairs and Jake was told the other stuff was going to be delivered the trio headed back to the apartment. She put the stuff she got for herself which was a new book. She started to get things out for dinner.

Jon came in. “Hey Shanna could you keep Richie out of trouble for me for about an hour I have to run an errand for tomorrow... the dolt forgot my dress shoes... and I forgot to ask you if you could grab me some...”

She shrugged “sure I guess...” She looked at Richie who sat at the table playing with her dog.

“thanks I'll be back in a bit...” He looked at Richie gave him a grin then left. Shanna looked suspicious but kept quiet as she made quick sandwiches for dinner. He was up to something but she wasn't sure what.