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“You know I hate shopping with a passion.”
Jessa grabs my hand while ignoring my complaining, weaving me in and out of the crowds. Visiting shopping malls is one of my least favorite things to do. The trauma stems from my cousins doing the same thing when we were teens. If I need something, I buy it online. It’s easy and less chaotic. We’ve already walked past several mothers with screaming children, one even throwing himself onto the ground demanding he go back to the toy shop.
“Will you just relax?” Jessa chides over the noise. “We need to find the perfect first birthday present for Ashton.”
“Can’t we just get him a ball? He loves balls.”
Jessa stops mid-step. Turning around, her expression shows she’s less than pleased with my suggestion. “A ball for a first birthday? How memorable is that?”
“It will be memorable since he loves them.”
Her eyes roll backward with arms crossed beneath her chest. Then, like a lightbulb moment, Jessa’s eyes dance with delight. “You’ve just made the gift I was thinking extra special. Now, we just need to find it.”
I let out a groan. “That sounds painful. Can’t we just buy it online?”
“No, now put on your big boy pants and stop being a baby.”
Jessa is relentless in her pursuit of the perfect gift. The stores we enter are posh, the sales assistants looking down on Jessa’s cut-off denim shorts and midriff tank top. She has a killer body, but little do they know appearance has nothing to do with her wealth. After all, she’s the eldest daughter of Noah and Kate Mason. Combined, their fortune is very lucrative.
But Jessa doesn’t care. In fact, she rarely cares about other people’s opinions. Her confidence is refreshing compared to some other women I know.
“This is it,” she mumbles to herself when her eyes fixate on the gold piece of jewelry sitting inside the glass enclosure.
There are so many pieces inside, not making it easy to decipher which one she’s looking at.
The sales assistant, an older woman with completely gray hair, greets us with a contrived smile. Her gaze wanders down to Jessa’s exposed stomach with her barbell piercing sitting inside her belly button. But Jessa brushes it off, requesting to see the gold chain together with the small soccer ball pendant.
“My mom told me that on my first birthday, Adriana bought me this beautiful pendant with a butterfly because, at the time, I used to giggle every time I’d see one.” Jessa’s voice is soft, almost as if she’s remembering the moment. “When my parents helped me open the gift, she said my eyes lit up, and I tried to say the word. But, of course, it came out as baby babble. And you know, I still have it in my jewelry box in my room.”
Unable to hide my smile, I understand now why Jessa is so hung up on giving Ashton something with sentimental value.
“It sounds like something Mom would do. She’s good with gifts like that. Always trying to think of something special.”
“I know people give toys or even money, but I think something like this is special.”
I scratch my chin. “Okay, if you insist. Now, can we get out of here? I’m paying for lunch if that will make it quicker.”
Jessa laughs, knocking into my side. “Taco Bell?”
My body shudders at the thought. “You know how I feel about Taco Bell. It’s designed to burn assholes. You’re the only person I know who can stomach it.”
She shakes her head. “Nash can too.”
“It must run in the Mason genes then,” I mumble, taking my credit card out so we can get out of here. “I’ll pick up some Pepto-Bismol too.”
“You’re such a wuss, Andy.” She grins before thanking the sales lady and dragging me out of the store.
* * *
Millie went all out for Ashton’s first birthday. Clusters of balloons everywhere you look, tables full of food, and, of course, the trusty bouncy castle.
I guess, however, it isn’t like I can compare it to other first birthdays since they’re not exactly my scene. Will and Millie are the only people my age I know with a child. Everyone else is still partying their way through life.
The party is being held at their house with all our family in attendance and some of their friends who also have small kids. When Jessa and I arrive, Ava is standing behind us with a sour look on her face.
“I shouldn’t have worn white. I see face paint.”
Jessa hugs Ava with sympathy. “Cheer up. It’s your nephew’s birthday. Soon this might be you, and boy, will that be entertaining to watch.”
