Audrey was at the mall looking at different dresses a few days later, prom was still a month away and she had yet to buy a dress to wear for it. It had to be something eye-catching and sexy. Yet not too revealing and inappropriate to wear. It was her first prom too after all. Audrey's parents were...reluctant to allow her to attend prom, when she was in high school. Reluctance was right, because the main event was the after party at someone's house. Leading to drinking, smoking and having sex in one of the bedrooms.
This time would be different.
She'll get to attend as Ben's girlfriend and enjoy the event with him. Then afterwards, they'd have a party of their own. A intimate party. A sex party, which would be in motel room. She didn't want Pete hearing how loud she'll be when Ben is fucking her.
Ben's birthday was also right around the corner too. Right after school ends for the summer to be precise. Audrey planned on taking him on a weekend trip for his birthday. The destination? A fancy hotel she just so happened to book for that particular weekend. A weekend full of romance and passion.
A weekend away from family and friends. Where it will be just the two of them. Making love in their hotel room all weekend and enjoying the dining experience and other amenities the hotel provided.
Audrey sighs dreamily thinking about it and continues shopping. She then found the right dress a short while later and tries it on. Then studies herself in the changing room mirror. The dress clung to her body effortlessly and yet was also loose in some places as well. Nodding to herself, Audrey changes back into her clothes and proceeded to buy it. The cashier, a young plump red-haired woman in her late twenties, glances at Audrey as she rung up the dress.
"Ain't you a bit too old to be wearing something like this?" the cashier asked in a off-handed remark.
That off-handed remark made Audrey's blood boil.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Audrey asked her, "You saying that I'm too old to be wearing something like this?"
"No ma'am," the cashier said, "I don't think that at all."
"Clearly you did if you said that to me!" Audrey said feeling irritated, "What's wrong with me trying to look good for my boyfriend?"
A few customers stopped to look at the confrontation happening. Same as a few store workers, who started whispering to each other and one ran off to probably get the store manager.
"I didn't mean anything by it okay?" the cashier insisted, "Please don't tell the manager."
"I think I will do just that!" Audrey said.
A woman Audrey's age, comes walking towards her and the cashier. Who was fumbling with the dress and looking anxious. She had long dark hair and wore a crisp tailored suit, along with a matching skirt and heels. The woman emitted power and authority. She folded her arms over her chest as she stood before Audrey and the trembling cashier.
Audrey noticed that her name was printed on a label attached to the left breast of the jacket. It read Rachel Smithson.
"Can I help you?" the manager asked.
"Yes you can," Audrey said sighing, "your cashier here was rude to me."
"Her to be precise," Audrey stated pointing to the trembling girl before her.
"Manger p-p-pease I can explain!" the cashier said stammering over her words.
"Love to hear it," the woman said sarcastically.
"It was supposed to be a joke," the cashier insisted.
"So basically saying that she was too old to be wearing a nice dress was considered a joke to you?" the woman asked, "Because to me...it sounded like you were insulting her."
"I realize my mistake manager and it won't happen again," the cashier said.
"Yeah it won't happen again," the manager said, "because you're fired. This was the third time we had a customer complain about you!"
"F-Fired?" the girl asked, "Manager please!"
The woman then turns to Audrey.
"As for you miss..." the manager said.
"Audrey," Audrey said introducing herself to the woman.
"Audrey please accept my deepest apologies for the rudeness shown to you," the manager continued, "and as a way of making it up to you, please consider the dress free of charge."
"Thanks," Audrey said smiling slightly,
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"Please come back again!" the greeter at the entrance said, "and have a nice day!"
"Yeah," Audrey called out, "you too!"
What was wrong with that worker? Saying something like that to a customer? Rude! Uncalled for! Audrey sits on a bench and sighs.
"Funny running into you here!" came a voice to her left.
Audrey looks up and saw that it was Ben's mom. The woman then sits down next to her and glances at the large plastic Audrey had by her feet.
"Shopping for some new clothes?" Mrs. Inkle asked.
"You can say that," Audrey stated softly, "it's a new dress I bought."
"For what occasion?" Mrs. Inkle asked.
"Oh...umm Ben invited me to attend prom with him," Audrey said, "this would be my first time going."
"Oh that's nice of him," Mrs. Inkle said, "I never really cared about prom to begin with."
She noticed that Audrey looked a bit down and sighs.
"Something happen?" she then asked.
"You can say that," Audrey said, "just had a terrible store experience at this clothing store I frequent."
She then told Ben's mom about it.
"That's rude as hell!" Mrs. Inkle said, "Did you inform the manager?"
Audrey explained that she did and that the woman fired the girl. Who apparently had two previous complaints against her.
"Well I'm glad you did," Mrs. Inkle said nodding her head.
"As am I," Audrey said.
The two friends then smiled at each other knowingly.
"Speaking of prom," Mrs. Inkle asked, "is your son attending too? Have you told him about you going as Ben's date?"
Audrey shook her head.
"I guess it sorta slipped my mind," Audrey said, "but I am planning on telling him."
"Instead of planning on telling him," Mrs. Inkle said, "just sit him down and tell him when you get home."
Audrey nods her head.
"I'll do that," Audrey said.
"Good," Mrs. Inkle said.
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"You wanted to talk to me mom?" Pete asked as he walked into the kitchen.
Audrey sat at the table and motions for Pete to sit across from her.
"Yes there's something I wanted to tell you," Audrey said swallowing nervously.
"Whatever it is mom," Pete said as he sat across from her, "it has you pretty nervous."
"Well I AM nervous to tell you this silly!" Audrey said with a hint of a smile on her lips.
She then took a deep breath and calmed herself.
"So...how do you feel about your mother attending prom?" Audrey asked.
"Well I'd be confused honestly," Pete said, "but I'm guessing that Ben invited you?"
Audrey nodded her head.
"Do you have a problem with me being there with Ben?" she asked.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Pete said.
"Yes," Audrey said, "because I really need to know."