playing with him on the bus, to make him sleep,â Toya said. âI told you. Iâve thought about every aspect of my plan. Iâm about to go into that designer store right over there.â Toya pointed to where she was going. I turned in the direction that she pointed.
âDo you see the cashier standing behind the counter reading a book?â
âYeah, I see. Sheâs reading The Coldest Winter Ever ,â I answered.
âDid you read it?â Toya asked. Toya didnât like reading nearly as much as I did. At times, especially when Iâm feeling depressed, Iâll go on a reading binge to escape from my reality. The Coldest Winter was read during my last escape from my reality.
âYeah, I read it.â
âI knew your ass was a closet geek.â
âShut up. That book was real good,â I said.
âReally?â Toya smiled.
âYeah, I mean, it was good from start to end.â I was about to go on and tell her more but she cut me off.
âYou can keep her busy talking about the book, while I go in there and rob her blind.â
âYou just make sure you get me some jeans,â I said.
âI got you.â Toya winked at me. âNow go in there so that she doesnât think weâre together.â
I walked into the store and pretended to be shopping for something. The salesgirl didnât even look up at me. I could tell she was lost inside the world the author had created. At that moment, I felt bad that I was about to take advantage of her because I identified with her. I began to think that if sheâs anything like me, a good book will have her in a day dream like state for hours. Sometimes when I read, an entire day can go by without me knowing it. I didnât want to interrupt her reading because when I read, I hate to be interrupted. I glanced back outside toward the mall and saw Toya giving me a strange glare. I could read the expression on her face. She wanted to know why I wasnât talking to the girl. I wanted to tell Toya to hit another store, but I knew sheâd have a fit if I suggested it because the setup at this store was too perfect.
âThat was a really good book,â I mentioned to the salesgirl as I approached the counter. âThey should make that book into a movie.â
âThis would be such a good movie if they made it,â said the salesgirl as she glanced up from the page.
âWho do you think could play the roll of Winter?â I asked her. She appeared to be distracted for a moment as she looked past my shoulder toward the front door.
âIâm sorry, I thought that lady over there with the baby needed help.â
I turned and looked at Toya, who was reaching down for her diaper bag.
âAre you sure she doesnât need help? I could wait until youâre done,â I said, taking a huge gamble.
âNo, thatâs okay. Sheâll probably just look at a few things and leave. Thatâs what most of the young girls pushing a baby do.â
âOkay, so if they turned the book into a movie, I think that girl from the television show The Parkers should play Winter.â I paused as I tried to think of the actressâs name. âYou know that one that plays Kim Parker, oh, what is her name?â
âWait a minute, itâs coming to me,â said the salesgirl. âShe has a weird name, like, Count something.â I immediately snapped my fingers.
âCountess Vaughn. Thatâs her name,â I finally said.
âI donât know if she could pull it off,â said the salesgirl.
âYou donât think she could play the part of Winter from the book?â I said, surprised.
âI think you need someone who looks a little harder and rougher. I think Vivica Foxx could play the part.â
âSheâs too old,â I quickly pointed out.
âI know, but she could probably pull it off,â the salesgirl countered. For the next half hour,