The Shopping Trip

[inthelamplight]

 Who: Joyce Byers (inthelamplight) and El (upsidedowns) (plus anyone who wants to play)
What: A much needed Ladies Shopping Trip and Fun Day. 
When: Saturday afternoon.
Where: Nearby Mall (Hawkins doesn't seem big enough for them).
Warnings: General Treat Yourself Silliness.

Joyce Hopper ran a quick brush through her auburn hair and tied the tresses back in a slightly messy ponytail before heading into the living-room where her daughter waited on the couch, small purse clutched in her lap. Joyce took a deep breath and smiled.

"Okay, sweetie -- all ready to drive your mom to mall for your celebratory shopping trip?" Elle had just received her driver's license the day before, and Joyce had promised after all. She was just a little nervous. Elle had only ever driven within the city limits, and only with Jim in the passenger seat.

Comments

[onze]

Hopper had been pretty adamant about Jane taking driving lessons from him, so driving with her mom was going to be weird. But fun. Jane adored her mother to the moon and back, so when Joyce asked if she was ready to go, she smiles and nods.

“I am!” She says as she stands, slinging the purse strap over her shoulder and opening it to check for her keys. And she frowns for a second, looking around the room. “I lied. I don’t have my house key.”

She finds them a second later, sitting on the kitchen table. One hand reaches out and she telekinetically pulls them over. A small use of her abilities that, years ago, would have left her feeling off. But she’s practiced her abilities and has grown enough where small stuff won’t hurt her.

“Okay, now I’m ready.”

[inthelamplight]

"Good, let's go before they run out of Orange Julius."

Joyce and Elle leave the house and walk into the driveway. Joyce's old Pinto is gone. Hopper made her trade it in years ago after finally convincing her that she had only gotten it cheap because it was an ugly, green bomb waiting to explode. In it's place was a sensible, blue Buick LaSabre Coupe. Joyce personally thought it was a bit of a boat, but it was nice to be able to buy something brand new. Elle had learned how to drive in the Blazer, so Joyce was a little nervous about her cruising about in something so low to the ground, but obviously, taking Jim's police vehicle to the mall was impossible.

"Okay, Elle, here are the keys," Joyce breathed, handing her keychain over to her daughter. "I love you and I trust you."

[onze]

"Can't wander the mall without an Orange Julius. That's just blasphemous." Mountains of books and hours of reading have improved this girls vocabulary greatly. She follows her mother out the door, smiling at the blue vehicle and kind of agreeing that it was in fact a boat. And it wasn't a car she'd ever been behind the wheel of, so she's already nervous.

Taking the keychain from her mother, she chuckles some and hugs Joyce. "I love you, too. It'll be fine. You're wonderful for telling me you trust me." That kind of comment would make anyone else nervous, but for this girl here? It's doing the opposite. Now she felt like she had it. She could drive this car.

She gets in and is careful to adjust the seat and mirrors and everything she needs to to ensure she's driving safely, and then it's out of their driveway and towards the mall.

"So, what's the game plan for shopping today?" Not that they really need one. She just wants to know if this is a short trip for something specific, or they can be lazy and take their time. She didn't have a date with Mike until seven-thirty, so maybe she'd buy an outfit for that. She did have her money from her job at the book store.

[inthelamplight]

Joyce held up one hand, and started counting off tasks on her fingers as she listed them, "Mmm, well I'm scheduled to get a trim, and I thought we'd get our nails done, if you like. Maybe some pizza at the food court -- oh, and I thought I'd treat you to an outfit for getting your license. You can save your money for going Dutch on your date tonight. I know you like pay your own way, because you're like me."

Joyce beamed as she spoke of Elle's independence. Absolutely nothing made her more proud than having a daughter who worked hard, and was so frank about her opinions. She was proud of her sons, too, of course... but she definitely had a soft spot for her daughter.

"And drivers get to pick the music."