"Mommy, can I get one?" A little girl stood before a stall, begging her mother to allow her to get what appeared to be the newest knockoff Barbie doll. "I want Bahbi," she said. It was named Rosaline.

"Absolutely not!" her mother responded firmly. "You already have too many toys, and you hardly even play with them."

"But... this one's different," she continued. She sounded ever more hopeless, but her mother didn't budge. "Please..."

"A no's a no. Now let's go." She gave her daughter a subtle tug. Instead of taking the cue, her daughter drew circles on the concrete with her pink shoes, exposing her lime green socks. Though it left no mark, it was simply a testament to her refusal. "Come on now. Before I get mad." Her daughter rolled her eyes as she glared downward at the floor.

I don't play with my toys. Hmph. It was practically mockery. She flapped her lips in disdain. Who said? The frustration was evident. Well aware that the longer they spent dolling around in the market, the higher the chance something else of interest would be found, her mother believed it was best to move on. She started walking away from the stall, hoping that her daughter would follow. She turned back, but her daughter's mood hadn't changed.

"Alright. If you're good, maybe next time." Having accepted her fate as she followed in her mother's footsteps, they left.

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Grandma had finished buying her fair share of groceries, which included some fruits, some vegetables, and a handful of meats, which she was going to cook for dinner. She had decided she was going to buy the local bento for lunch, as it couldn't hurt to have some fried chicken. Even for someone her age, she had her cravings. With some time to spare, she checked out the toy store she always took Donnie to to see if they had anything new in stock. I mean, mine as well. It was more of a "why not?" Entering through the front door, the sandy buzz of the over-abused doorbell would sound. Ding-dong.

"You're back!" the store owner greeted. "It's definitely been awhile."

"It sure has," Grandma responded. The store was rather empty in terms of customers.

"So how've you been?" he asked.

"I'm doing well. Living life as per usual," Grandma responded. "Just thought I'd stop by for the sake of the memories."

"I see..." The answer hadn't been unexpected. He began to make his way out from behind the counter. "Oh right. Where's Donnie?" He was nowhere to be seen.

"He's at home. Doing... something, I suppose." She couldn't fathom the thought that he was still blowing into the same two fans. "He didn't want to go shopping with Grandma. I even tried to coax him in with toys."

"Ah. I see," he chuckled. "Kids these days. I thought he had gone back or something. It'd be a shame if he didn't come back to visit one last time before he left. Shop's getting old, and so am I." Grandma laughed.

"Well, you look as young as ever, from what I recall."

"Oh, stop with the pampering," he sighed lightheartedly. "I'm about to have grandchildren of my own."

"Well, congrats," she responded. "Life can always get a little more full."

"It sure can." They paused in silence.

"Well, anyhow, anything new in stock?"

"Ah!" he gasped. "Well, I didn't know Mrs. Lang was going to stop by, so I can't say I have anything too special off the top of my head, but I know we have a new, unopened shipment in the back. If you're curious, I'll have it opened for you."

"Ah. That's okay. Didn't mean to cause trouble. I just felt like stopping by. Check in and chat a little, you know? I promise to bring Donnie by next time. Have him see what interests him." She waved her hand in apology as if to say, "You're too kind." "Well, I have stuff to get to, so I guess I'll be off."

"Ah, well, that's too bad. Well, it's always nice talking to you, so feel free to stop by anytime. Door's always open."

"Pleasure talking to you." Parting through the single door through which she had once entered, she left.