"No, thanks." With a smile and a nod, he left us alone.

"Don’t you hear that, Andi? That high-pitched plea? They’re calling your name. They’re saying, Andi, buy us, buy us. We’ll treat your feet right."

"Ah, jeez." I pushed her away and sat down on the chair, quickly untying my shoes to try these on. Haley watched intently. I slid my foot in.

"How does that feel?"

"Good."

"Of course it does." She knelt down in front of me and began to lace the boot up. "Andi, you rarely spend any money on yourself. I mean, it’s not good to do it often, but once in a while. Hell, get yourself something for Christmas in the way of these boots."

"Dude, what is your deal with these boots?" I laughed, moving my foot around, turning at the ankle to see how comfortable they were. She untied my other boot, slipping it off my foot, putting the new boot on it.

"Well, I want you to be happy. If these make you happy, then so be it."

Fifteen minutes later we walked toward the elevator, me looking down at the new boots as I carried the old ones in the box of the new ones in a bag.

"How does that feel?" I gave Haley a grin in reply. She smiled, patted me on the back. "Go, you."

"Rah."

We were seated at the Rainforest Café, and I looked at her.

"You know you’re a terrible influence on me, right?" She nodded.

"Sure."

"Great."

"I’ve always liked hiking boots on people. I think they’re sexy."

"Sexy, huh?" The waitress gave us menus, and took our drink order.

"Yeah, sexy. They’re rugged, speak of danger and adventure." I laughed, slapping my hand on the table.

"Where on earth do you come up with this stuff, Haley?" she shrugged.

"Who knows. But it’s true."

* * *

I helped Haley lug in all her packages from the back seat of the car. She was so proud that she’d gotten all of her Christmas shopping done today. Then I headed home. I planned to turn my project in on Monday, so decided to get it all together, and ready.

But first, I wanted to get all of my own gifts in order, and begin wrapping them. We had put up our Christmas tree yesterday after dinner, and there was already one, very small, gift under it. Being sneaky, I saw that it had my name on it.

I hurried up to my room with my bags in tow, and plopped them all down on the floor. My old boots were put aside, then I went through what I had bought my mom and brother, Tracy, then the last two bags were for Haley. I smiled as I looked at the soft, green bear named Kicks. A little soccer ball was embroidered to his chest. I didn’t know if she’d like the Beanie Baby or not, but I figured she’d at least get a kick out of it. I grinned at the soft Koosh, large and blue and red, our school colors. Luckily she was easily distracted, so I could buy them for her without her noticing.

The other gift, which would be for Christmas, I was especially excited for.

I ran downstairs to the basement and the closet where we kept all gift wrap and bows, and hurried back upstairs to my room.

Twenty minutes later, I was back downstairs, piling my offerings under the tree.

"I’m going to be online!" I yelled so Chris and mom, wherever they were, could hear, and not pick up the phone. Taking the stairs two at a time, I hurried to my room, and switched on the computer. I had all my notes, sketches and information all around my desk for easy access. I began to type up my report.

You have received an instant message from CometBaby. Do you wish to respond?

My brows drew, then it hit me. I grinned, and clicked on yes.

CometBaby says:

Hey, boot-scootin’ girl. How goes it?

Mtn85 says:

Not bad. How about you?

CometBaby says:

Good. I have some homework to do, so I logged on. Plus I’m bored.

Mtn85 says:

Bored???? You just got home from a full day of shopping!

CometBaby says:

I know, I know. Call me ungrateful.

Mtn85 says:

Ungrateful

CometBaby says:

: p

I chuckled as my fingers rested on the keyboard, trying to decide what to say next. Haley beat me to it.

CometBaby says:

So, did you have fun today?

Mtn85 says:

I did. You?

CometBaby says:

Very much so. You’re fun to shop with.

I grinned like an idiot.

Mtn85 says:

Awww, garsh. Thanks. So are you.

CometBaby says:

J So are you bummed you didn’t get to sit on Santa’s lap today?

Mtn85 says:

Lol. Not really. Can’t say Santa’s my type. Old, fat and gray, nah.

CometBaby says:

Lol! I’m sorry to hear that. So what are you wearing?

I chuckled, looking down at myself. I’d been home nearly an hour, and had changed into flannel pants and a tank.

Mtn85 says:

A parka.

CometBaby says:

Really? That’s interesting. Cold in your room, is it?

Mtn85 says:

Maybe.

CometBaby says:

So what’s under the parka?

Mtn85 says:

A scarf.

CometBaby says:

(chuckle) I see. I’ll bet you’re wearing a tank and jeans. Am I close?

I glanced at the window, almost expecting to see Haley peeking in at me.

Mtn85 says:

Not too bad! But no, not quite.

CometBaby says:

Hmm… how about a parka, a scarf, a tank, and a potato masher. Am I getting warmer?

Mtn85 says:

Umm, ow? Where would I be hiding that masher if you were right?

I looked down at myself, imagining the very few, and very uncomfortable places a large metal object like that could fit. I crossed my legs as my fingers raced on the keys as I tried to write back before she could.

Mtn85 says:

What about you? Where’s the infamous Koosh?

CometBaby says:

: p Wouldn’t you like to know. And as for the masher… I don’t know where you’d put it, you’re the one that sleeps with one at night. I’m not into that kind of metal.

Mtn85 says:

No, you’re into the soft, limp spine, kind.

CometBaby says:

I don’t think so much it’s the soft, limp spines as the rubber.

I laughed out loud. At this rate, I’d never get anything done.

Mtn85 says:

Well, with a solo performance, you shouldn’t need the rubber.

CometBaby says:

How would you know? Besides, it never hurts to be safe. And, many things are made of rubber; not just those.

I found myself blushing, thinking of all the wondrous rubber objects out there. Then I thought to one night when I’d caught Chris watching Cinemax late at night. He had been watching a soft porn movie, and I had ended up watching with him.

Mtn85 says:

Well, there are different sizes, even ribbed or ones with little nubs on them. Nubs rubs for more pleasure, after all.

CometBaby says:

Okay, Trojan man.

Mtn85 says:

That’s Ms. Trojan man to you, and who’s talking about condoms?

CometBaby says:

Certainly not I. I was discussing the Trojan army. What’s on your mind?

I grinned.

Mtn85 says:

A good friend of Helen, are you?

CometBaby says:

I’m friends with people who think they’re Helen. Does that count?"

Mtn85 says:

Lol I can think of a few.

CometBaby says:

How is the psych project coming along? Have you found out what makes men envious of women?

Mtn85 says:

It’s going well, just about done. Who wouldn’t be envious of women? (grin)

CometBaby says:

That’s true. We get to have the pain of childbirth, have our periods, have mood swings, PMS. Who wouldn’t want to be a woman?

Mtn85 says:

True, true. But at least we’re good-looking.

CometBaby says:

And able to think without going below the belt.

I grinned. "Very true, Haley."

Mtn85 says:

If you could be a man for a day, would you?

CometBaby says:

Just for a day?

Mtn85 says:

Yup.

CometBaby says:

Hell yeah! I’ve always wanted to see what goes on in those locker rooms, and if it’s just like everybody says.

I drew my brow.

Mtn85 says:

What does everybody say?

CometBaby says:

That all they discuss is girls, and they compare dick sizes, and stuff. I’ve always wanted to know what it was like to have one of those.

Mtn85 says:

Me, too. This knowledge goes no further than this computer screen, you got me?

CometBaby says:

Threats, threats. And why is that?

Mtn85 says:

Because it’s embarrassing, and I’ll have to hunt you down and your little Koosh, too.

CometBaby says:

No, no! Not my Koosh! You can have anything; my dignity, my self-respect, but not my Koosh!

Mtn85 says:

Nut.

CometBaby says:

Yeah, and?

Mtn85 says:

Do I have your word or not?

CometBaby says:

Thinking… okay.

Mtn85 says:

I wanted to know what it was like to have a peepee like Chris. So, I grabbed a whole wad of toilet paper, and stuffed it into my underwear, and went to school that way. It’s quite odd.

CometBaby says:

(chuckling)

Mtn85 says:

Yeah, yeah. So I’m weird, so sue me.

CometBaby says:

Ah, such bribe material.

Mtn85 says:

May your Koosh rest in pieces.

I covered my eyes, not believing I had told her that. Nobody knew that story but me.