Wishing for Someday Soon by Tiffany King Page B

ducked down to climb into the vehicle before Kevin. I tried to analyze his look as Lucinda slowly pulled our noisy Chevy through the rest of the parent loop. He had definitely seen me climb in an old beat-up car, he knew we were on food stamps and lived in a trailer park and yet, by the way he had been looking at me, none of that seemed to matter to him.
    I felt my crush on him beginning to grow as we pulled away. We had a long forty-five minute drive to the city, giving me time to think, but unfortunately, time for doubt to creep in also. Was he only being nice because he was under the impression I was easy or something? Why else would he be interested in someone like me when he had girls like Rebecca waiting in the wings.
    By the time we finally pulled up to The Salvation Army thrift shop in Bozeman, I had convinced myself that Max and I could never be together. I felt sick, knowing I would have to immediately put a stop to his advances. If living with Lucinda had taught me anything, it was that I didn't want to be like her. I wasn't going to rush into any relationship with a guy.
    “You think you'd be happier about getting new stuff,” Lucinda said sarcastically as we piled out of the car.
    “Oh, I am,” I answered quickly, not wanting to stir anything up. “I was just thinking about an assignment I need to do later tonight,” I lied.
    “What? They gave you homework on your first day? I could've predicted that when we walked onto their prissy-ass campus this morning. Well, I wouldn’t knock myself out doing it,” she muttered as she flicked her cigarette butt onto the sidewalk, even though there was a receptacle can right by the front door.
    “I won’t, Mom,” I fibbed. Lucinda was not a fan of formal education, and had tried on more than one occasion to get away with the whole homeschooling idea, but Kevin and I always balked at the idea. Thankfully, most of the time when we got into government housing, it was a prerequisite that she enroll us in school.  
    Kevin and I headed right to the racks of boys' clothing once we entered the building while Lucinda and Jim went to the adult clothing section. I sighed as I watched their retreating backs. The bulk of the thrift store voucher was supposed to go to school clothes for Kevin and me since we had no winter wardrobe to speak of. I could see that I would have to stick to my guns if Kevin and I stood a chance of getting anything.
    Thumbing rapidly through the racks, I pulled anything warm that looked to be Kevin’s size. I found four pairs of jeans that seemed to be in relatively good shape and sent him off to the dressing area to try them on. All but one pair fit him perfectly. The fourth pair was just slightly baggy, but I added it to our cart anyway, taking what we could get. I added a dozen long-sleeved shirts in an array of colors and patterns to the pile, not even bothering to have him try them on. Even if they were too big, they would have to work since the selection wasn’t all that great. The thought of buying used underclothing always gave me the creeps, but I found two pairs of long johns that were his size. Kevin tried to protest when he saw them, but I convinced him they were necessary.
    “Okay, now you just need a heavier jacket than your hoodie,” I told him after outfitting him fairly well with warm clothes.
    “Can I go to the toy section while you find one?” he pleaded.
    “No, dopey, you’ll need to try it on. Come on, we’ll make it fast,” I promised him as I spied Lucinda’s overflowing buggy across the store.
    We hit pay dirt with the coats immediately, finding him a snow jacket that looked practically brand-new.
    “Sweet! And it’s blue,” he crowed happily as I zipped him up in it.
    “Perfect,” I said, making him turn around so I could make sure the fit was right all the way around.
    “Okay, now you can go look at the toys,” I told him. He scurried off before the words could leave my mouth.
    Smiling, I turned back to the