Title: Brats in a Mall
Characters: Jess and Wes
Co-written by PJ and Dizzy
Warnings: brats in a crowded mall, need we say more?
Brats in a Mall
Jess felt the spirit of Christmas like he had never felt before-he had a family to buy gifts for. Thinking of Kevin, and how this Christmas could be bittersweet for the boy, Jess decided he wanted to get Kevin exactly what he wanted; an iPad. But iPads were expensive. He debated asking Ken to pitch in, but then decided he'd ask Wes. Wes had been so happy to finally have a younger brother; Jess thought he might like to be part of giving the kid what he really wanted for Christmas.
Jess called Wes, "Hey, I know that Kevin really wants an iPad, but I can't afford it on my own. Would you be willing to go in half with me?"
"Sure, I was wondering what to get my new little brother," Wes answered. "I'll check the ads and see who has the best sale on them."
"Ok, since the stores are open early, let's be there when they open. That way we won't have to fight the crowds later on in the day," Jess said. He hated shopping and thought to get it done early, so he could spend the rest of the day out in the shop.
Ken, overhearing Jess on the phone, said, "You know it'll probably be crowded, even early."
"I doubt anyone will be up at 5 in the morning," Jess whispered covering the phone.
"Well, you and Wes have fun; Tippy and I will stay home," Ken stated.
"I think Wes and I can handle getting the kid a gift without you and the guard dog," Jess replied ruffling the dog on the head. Jess smiled as Ken laughed at the description of the little Yorkie.
That "guard dog" gave Jess a disgusted look the next morning as Jess tried to quietly slip out of the house before dawn.
As he drove out of town toward Wes's house, Jess was amazed at the amount of traffic so early in the morning. Usually when he was going to a site this early, there was hardly any traffic on the road. Pulling into the driveway that led to Wes and Link's house, Jess was glad to see Wes come out of the house. It was cold and dark and the truck had just started to warm up. And too God awful early, Jess didn't want to chance waking Link.
"So where's the big sale?" Jess asked Wes backing out of the driveway.
"Hey, Jess," Wes greeted the big guy. "Let's head to Best Buy in the mall."
"Is the mall even open this early?" Jess asked as he navigated through the mass of cars.
"Sure, they open early after Thanksgiving." Wes answered amazed that Jess didn't know about the Black Friday craziness.
Coming into town both men were shocked at the lines of cars heading into the mall parking lot.
As he drove into the parking lot, Jess turned to Wes and said, "Well, I knew it was a busy shopping day, but I thought all those news reports were exaggerated. I guess not, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess not," Wes agreed. "Look there's a spot. Get it," Wes said bouncing on the truck seat.
Jess quickly pulled his big truck into the small space. "Shit. We'll get our exercise, it's gotta be a mile to the entrance!"
"Yeah but we did find a place which is more than the others out there can say," Wes said jumping out of the truck. They dodged their way across the parking lot and went into the mall.
Jess grunted as a plump older woman elbowed him as she pushed her way through the crowds. "Sorry," Jess said as he fell into Wes as a mother with a couple of kids in a stroller, barreled past.
Wes stumbled into the woman behind him. He'd given up on saying he was sorry the third time he was shoved in to someone.
"Where the hell is Best Buy?" Jess shouted to Wes so he could be heard. The Christmas music was blaring and shoppers were arguing.
"Over there," Wes yelled and latched on to Jess's belt so they wouldn't get separated.
"Where?" Jess craned his neck trying to see.
"Down past Macy's," the younger man pointed.
"OK, hang on," Jess yelled backed and plowed through the crowd as gently as possible.
Once in front of the store, Jess turned to Wes in disbelief. "This line is just to get into the store?"
"Jess, don't kill anyone," Wes said as a young teen girl pushed Jess to get in front of him. "Maybe this isn't a good idea, Jess," he added watching Jess's face turn hard.
"Damn, kid, I thought you had some balls," Jess growled and tried to push in to the store.
Wes smirked and said, "I've put you on the floor before, I can do it again."
Jess laughed, "Yeah, I've no doubt you could. But not in here, there's not enough room."
The two men pushed and shoved their way into the store, and were pushed and shoved back. Jess was amazed at how aggressive some of the sweetest looking ladies could be. He thought that two of them, who were at least in their seventies, would come to blows over some kind of smart phone. Finally, after at least an hour, the counter that held the iPads was in sight.
"Come on, Wes, we're almost there. I can see the apple logo thing," Jess said with relief in his voice.
Wes falling into Jess's back let out a frustrated sigh. "We should have just ordered the iPad online."
Jess froze in the midst of all the chaos. Turning around to face the younger man, Jess said slowly, "You mean, we didn't, I DIDN'T, have to get up before the damn sunrise, and drive with all those maniacs, and fight all these people? Is that what you are telling me?"
Wes gulped as he saw the fire in Jess's eyes. He did the only thing any sane man would do: he ran. Well, he pushed, shoved, scuffled his way around the crowds, hearing Jess thundering behind him.
By the time they'd reached the car, Jess's anger had diminished. "Well the least we can do is go get some breakfast."
Wes grinned at Jess. "Do you know how hungry those women get after shopping? You think any restaurant is going to be less crowded?"
As Jess laid his head on the steering wheel, Wes took pity on him. "Did I happen to mention that Link said to give him a call when we were done, and he'd have breakfast waiting?"
Jess debated on whether or not he should strangle the kid, then decided, if he did that he wouldn't get any breakfast. Shoving the keys in the truck, and putting it in gear, Jess sighed and said, "Well, what are you waiting for? Call your mountain man."
Link stepped out onto the porch when he saw Jess's truck pull up to the house. "Come on in, boys, I've got bacon and eggs just about ready. You guys are back earlier than I thought. You guys have fun?"
Jess looked at Wes, and then at Link, and with a grin, said, "Yeah, I did."
The End.
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