by Fran Mascioli

Created on: July 12, 2009   Last Updated: December 20, 2009

The two girls laughed in the back of their Mom's station wagon. Angela was thirteen years old, and Andrea was twelve. This was the first time that their mother had agreed to let them walk around the mall alone. The summer was almost over, and they would soon be back at school. They had begged and pleaded with their mother for just one Saturday at the mall . . . unsupervised. Reluctantly, their mother agreed.

The girls had worked all summer helping their father in his Lawn Service business. They had both proven to be reliable and dependable. They worked outside, so they were tanned and glowing. Their Dad had paid each of his daughters ten percent of his total earnings for that summer. Caren and Joe were very proud of their children. They raised them to be helpful and kind. But like most parents, they realized that sometimes you have to let them grow up and learn some lessons on their own.

As they approached the front entrance the girls asked their mother to please not drop them off right at the door. "Can you pull in that space over there?" asked Angela. "Why?" asked their mother. "Why would I drop you off so far from the entrance?" The girls both groaned at their mother's lack of understanding. "Because then everyone will see our Grocery-Go-Getter!" yelled Andrea. "Please don't let anyone see you dropping us off!"

Caren suddenly understood. They were embarrassed that their mother was with them. She agreed to drop them off far away. She could not help but shed one tear as they walked off. No one had told her letting go would be so hard. She watched them walk to the entrance.

Once inside, the youngsters could smell the aroma of the Food Court. Women with babies in strollers were all chatting and eating. They walked past several stores. They chose the small earring shop and each purchased two pairs of earrings. They went to the Music Store. Each purchased several CD's. They ran into their school friends, and they all went to the Arcade. They laughed, they played video games, and they each spent several dollars on Dance Dance Revolution. "There's Jake!" whispered Angela. "You are so in love with that guy!" replied Andrea. "Go talk to him!"

Angela walked over to Jake as he was playing Daytona USA. He looked up and gave her a comfortable easy smile. She smiled back and then glanced at Andrea. "He likes you!" Andrea mouthed out to her smiling from ear to ear. Andrea found her best friend Katie and they both played Pump It Up until their fingers hurt. Andrea told Angela

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