Outside the Store. Photo by Katelyn Avery.

Parked outside the store my parent’s car goes unnoticed. The surveillance camera captures it of course, but for the most part people won’t notice its presence. Most of the shoppers had parked in the spots closer to the entrance, and near the bakery next door. I sat inside the vehicle waiting for my Mom to finish shopping.

Shopping at the convenience store didn’t sound appealing tonight, so my twin sister Jen, and I, decided to stay back in the neglected section of the parking lot. We had been able to take advantage of this option since age 9 or 10. We were over 5 feet by then, and looked about 13. We were firmly rooted into “stranger danger” rules as well. Now 21 we enjoyed the nostalgic experience of bumming around in the car. 

Cell phone in hand I texted some friends, before striking up conversation with Jen. A sign that I live in “both worlds”. Born in ’93 I once lived without a cellphone, but you’d never know it. I live with technology as if we were attached at the hip. Although I do so with a flip phone, so I get some non-modern points. At least from the millennial generation’s perspective.

As I placed the phone on the car doors arm rest, cradled by my hand, Jen and I discussed movies. Analyzing them has been a shared past time of ours since we were kids. Books and TV shows as well, but the mood was set for film. The spotlight was upon us, because the stores outdoor “nightlights” were on, but it still swept our minds into the lane of the big screen. The car seats were also comfortable, and looked sophisticated in our twilight setting.

“Swoosh, swoosh” could be heard from around the corner, and I saw my Moms face appear. My cell phone slid back into the left front pocket of my jeans, and the car doors clicked to show that they were unlocked. My Mother put the key in the ignition and we drove away, ending a revisited childhood experience. 

– Katelyn Avery

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