Chapter 15 Part 5: Ability Control

We returned to our room after a satisfying meal. It was evening, and people were strolling the hallways in casual clothes.

I shuffled down the hallway in my polka-dot pajamas, Amy’s oversized slippers slapping against my heels. Shine leaned against the doorway, watching me.

“Jeff.”

“Yes?”

“What are you doing?”

I’d been pacing, arms crossed. “Thinking,” I said.

“Thinking? Why out here?”

I stopped. “We’re out of snacks.” Amy’s stash was almost gone. There were a few cookies left, but I craved something salty.

“So?” Shine asked, puzzled.

I uncrossed my arms and pointed across the hallway. “I’m deciding whether or not to go to the convenience store.”

“Why would you need to decide?”

She didn’t understand. This was a serious dilemma. I had Amy’s card, which meant unlimited snacks.

“If you want something, just go and buy it.”

“That’s the problem.” I wanted too many things. I’d end up with a huge bag, too heavy for this small body. I’d be dragging it back to the room, wasting precious time. Time I could be spending watching my favorite cartoon. And the clock was ticking.

I bounced on the balls of my feet, impatient. The oversized slippers slapped against the floor.

“It’ll be hard to carry if you buy too much,” Shine said, finally understanding. She looked down at her small hands and nodded.

“Then ask someone to help you.”

“But Shine, Victor and Amy aren’t here.”

“There are other people around.”

She was right. People chatted in the hallway. Someone leaned against the wall, yawning. Plenty of potential helpers. But…

Shine, I’m scared of strangers.

“Let’s go,” Shine said, taking my arm and pulling me towards the convenience store before I could protest. I stumbled after her, the slippers almost falling off.

“Shine?”

“I’ll handle it.”

I followed her, regaining my balance. We passed the rooms and reached the cafeteria area. People were still eating, despite the late hour, their faces tired, but with a hint of a smile.

Beside the cafeteria was a lounge area, and beyond that, a large convenience store. A big-screen TV, comfortable chairs, even a smoking room in the corner. Everything you could possibly need.

Shine pulled me inside. The automatic doors opened, revealing a brightly lit space. White floors and ceiling. Rows and rows of shelves stocked with snacks.

“Welcome!” the clerk chirped.

I grabbed a basket and started filling it. I jumped to reach the higher shelves, sending bags tumbling to the floor.

“Uh…” The clerk looked at me.

I gathered the fallen bags, feeling his gaze. This was okay, right?

“Shine, do you want anything?”

She picked up a lollipop. “Just this.”

“Really? Just one?”

“Yes.” She seemed content. Snacks acquired. Now for the drinks. I pushed the basket like a shopping cart, heading for the refrigerators. Rows of colorful bottles. I grabbed a large bottle of cola. It felt heavy. I imagined my fingers getting pinched by the thin plastic bag handles. It would hurt. But I needed cola.

I tossed the bottle into the basket, crushing some of the snacks underneath. I added a few more colas, then my eyes fell on the beer display. A memory flickered: fizzy bubbles, a cool refreshing taste, a pleasant buzz…

“Hmm…” My mouth watered. I glanced at Shine. “Shine, I want that.”

She looked at the cans of beer and nodded. “Put it in the basket.”

I quickly filled the basket with beer. I knew I couldn’t drink much in this small body, but the thought of having beer again was too tempting to resist.

“Is that good?” she asked.

“Huh?” The unexpected question caught me off guard. I hid the cans behind my back.

“Is it good?” she repeated.

It was… complicated. “I think so?”

“Then I want some too.”

I stared at her, dumbfounded. Children shouldn’t drink alcohol. But then, neither should I, in this body. My head spun.

“Uh…?” Everything felt jumbled.

Shine took the beer from my hands and put it in the basket.

“Is that all?”

“Yeah…”

She pushed the basket towards the counter. I stared at her, a strange feeling of disconnection. This wasn’t the Shine I knew.

“Jeff.” She called me. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, and followed her. The buzzing intensified as I got closer.

I placed Amy’s card on the counter. “We need to pay.”

The clerk looked at me, then at the card, then leaned down to see the overflowing basket.

“All of this?”

“Yes.” I struggled to lift the basket. The clerk came around the counter and picked it up.

Beep. Beep. Beep. The rhythmic sound of the scanner.

“Hey, kids.”

“Yes?”

“Are you sure about this?” He started removing the cans of beer.

“No!” I jumped and grabbed the edge of the counter.

He looked startled. “But this is for adults.”

“Oh…” I racked my brain. How could I get my beer? My eyes fell on Amy’s credit card.

“Errand… uh, running errands!”

He looked at the card. “Hmm… This is an executive card, alright. But who are you running errands for?”

“Amy.”

“Amy?” He stroked his chin, looking doubtful. “But Amy doesn’t drink.”

My eyes darted around, searching for an answer. My feet dangled, kicking the side of the counter.

“Uh…”

“Jeff.”

“Shine?”

Shine reached out and tugged on my leg. Telling me to get down. I hopped off the counter.

“Pay for it,” Shine said, her voice cold and flat, stepping forward. The buzzing intensified. I clutched my head, my vision turning white.

“Jeff.”

“Hmm?”

“Let’s go.”

I rubbed my eyes. My vision cleared. The convenience store looked the same. Except for the clerk. He stood there, dazed, holding a large bag.

“He’s helping us,” Shine said.

“Really?” I took the card from her, smiling. What a nice person.

“Thank you!” He didn’t react. I felt a little awkward.

He carried the bag to our room and left without a word.

“That was lucky,” Shine said. I nodded, checking the time. We were just in time.

I unpacked the bag, arranging the snacks and drinks on the small table: chips, cookies, cans of beer, and a large bottle of cola. I grabbed a cup for the cola. Everything was ready.

I turned on the TV and grabbed a beer, enjoying the cold metal against my palms. I held it up, almost reverently.

Click, click. My small fingers fumbled with the tab. Hiss. I pulled it open, releasing the fizzy aroma. My mouth watered.

Shine opened her beer. We looked at each other, then took a long swig. The cold liquid was refreshing, the carbonation tickling my tongue, the bitter hops followed by a sweet, apple-y aftertaste.

“Jeff.”

“Hmm?” I took another gulp.

Shine stuck out her tongue. “Are you sure this is good?”

I smiled. “It might be a bit much for you, Shine. You’re still young.” I giggled. The beer was warming me from the inside, my cheeks flushing. The buzz was hitting me quickly. I took another swig. “I like it!”

“Jeff, you’re weird.”

“No, I’m not!” I took another demonstrative sip. “Delicious!” I finished the can and grabbed another.

Shine, watching me, took a determined swig of her own.

We drank in silence, demolishing the six-pack. How could such small bodies hold so much beer? My stomach felt bloated.

“Ooooh…” The room started spinning. The bright colors on the TV swam before my eyes. I could barely focus on my favorite cartoon.

Empty cans littered the table.