“Christmas Shopping on a Saturday Afternoon”

10B English 2nd Period ~ Central High School – West Allis, WI

November 14, 1945

I was elated, to say the very least, to bid farewell to the milling crowd on the sidewalk and fight my way toward the department store. I applied some pressure on the nearest revolving door and there I was – in the midst of the utter confusion and turmoil that can be found on in a department store at Christmas time.

I stood for a moment in what I thought was an obscure corner to regain my bearings. Oh yes, in one hand I still clutched my carefully made out list, but what good could it possibly do in this mass of “surging shuffling humanity.” I also had it sharply impressed upon my whole self that there was no such thing as an “obscure corner.” A short, rather chubby woman wearing a heavy fur jacket and ankle strap shoes which made her legs look even shorter and more pudgy and hanging on to as many packages as she possibly could and still keep her balance waddled into me. She mumbled an inaudible apology and trudged on leaving me by myself to regain my balance.

Right then and there I gave up any idea I could have harbored in my by now weak mind of accomplishing that afternoon’s objective. The department store was adorned with all its customary array and strains of Christmas carols softly played on an organ drifted down through the store. The Christmas spirit was everywhere, and it was fun to just meander aimlessly through the various departments.

I paused yearningly at the expensive cosmetics counter. I gazed reverently at the gift ensembles and scarcely dared to wonder if Bill would — oh well, I can dream, can’t I?

---