Shadows In Durango

50

*****Sofia's POV*****

"Say that again?" Vincent asks, as I stand by his car at the end of the day with Emma by my side - where he had told me to meet him to go home.

He hadn't shown up for our storage room duties and so I figured he had ditched us, but here he was - waiting.

"We were going to go to the mall for a while before going back to your place... oh and can Emma come over again tonight? Daryl said you guys are busy..." I feel like a child asking for permission but know that at this point, Vincent was in charge.

I had to respect that it was his space he was so openly willing to share with me.

He looks between us both, before nodding his head slowly when Daryl approaches us.

"I'll drop you off at the mall but I can't wait around, get in." Vincent states, as I grin at Emma and we rush into the back of the car, allowing Daryl to sit in the front seat.

I chat with Emma about her Moms salon, growing excited about the different packages and things they offer, while Daryl and Vincent seem to discuss something a little more serious in a hushed tone.

It was hard to listen in with the radio playing and with my own conversation going on with Emma but I could tell from the looks on their faces that they were tense about something.

"How are you both going to get back?" Vincent turns down the volume of the radio and questions us, as we notice the large mall coming into view.

I hadn't shopped at a mall in so long...

"Uhh..." Is all I can respond, as Daryl watches me in the mirror - waiting for me to recite my plan to them both.

"We could get the bus?" Emma steps in and suggests, as the pair remain quiet.

I wasn't overly bothered about how we would get back there, knowing that it would be worth the fun visit to the mall - we would worry about that later.

"I'll come back for them." Daryl suggests, as I suddenly feel like I was becoming a problem.

"No please don't worry! We will figure it out, I know you are both busy so don't stop your plans for us!" I detest the idea, as Vincent pulls up to the front doors on a part of the road that I didn't believe was actually a parking space...

I'll come pick them

Vincent tells me, as we all knew he had the final say at this point. Every time I tried to disagree with him it ended nowhere and would only

the door and I shimmy out of

door, we hurry inside, hearing the rev

way!" Emma points towards the dress up store, as we rush through the centre and head inside finding a variety of costumes and colours

wall, we move towards them and find the rest of

a pair of brown leather hot pants and a pair of black

- as I lost it for a split

my old life

I had more than enough money now to spare - at least for one day! "I'll take the black shorts with

with the black cowboy hat!" I say, grabbing the hat and placing it on her head

shorts with the pink sparkly waistcoat! Should I do the pink hat or the brown?" I hum, weighing up

little Barbie, especially with your hair all blonder!" She states as I laugh knowing I looked nothing like a Barbie doll - but I

us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly

try on the stuff, counting

another, we laugh and prance around - happy that we both looked the

the dressing room for a few more minutes, Emma and I decide to purchase our new

for our selections, and then

we approach the salon, I can see through the glass windows that it's a bustling place,

a big smile is at the reception desk. She looks up as we

to finally meet you, Sofia. Emma's told me so much about you already - we are ecstatic that she has been getting out more." Linda beams,

I reply, feeling instantly welcomed by

my daughter visiting me at

"And maybe our nails, too. Do you have any space for us?" Emma looks

hair and nails for seventy five dollars. Of course, I'll do yours on the house Emma - I couldn't dare to charge my own daughter - and I can give you the

already grinning, and I nod eagerly. "That sounds

couple of empty chairs at the back. She hands me over to a stylist, who begins discussing my preferences while Linda gets to work on Sofia knowing

a sense of excitement building. It's been a while since I've treated myself to something like this, and I