The dollar bill list

Was it destiny that led you to me or was it the dollar bill?

It was a shopping list that I had written onto a dollar bill when I couldn't find any paper. I hadn't noticed I had dropped the bill as I rushed from one level of the mall to the next, trying desperately to find those perfect gifts for my nieces and nephews.

Two weeks before Christmas and the mall's already completely full. It required acrobatic maneuver down the highway of isles among the crowd of hurried shoppers in order to get anywhere.

I've been taking the list in and out of my bag due to my bad memory. I was on my sixth of the seventh gift and was much too distracted to even notice anyone was calling me. Near the toy store where the shelves were nearly empty out, I heard my name flowing around but didn't think it was for me. Forgetting what the last item was, I dug into my bag for the bill. But I couldn't find it. I checked my bag again but still it wasn't in there. I tried to recite the list in my mind but couldn't remember. So I decided to traced back my steps.

I must have been running around the mall for three hours at least. Yet you followed me having been ignored so many times. Up and down with millions of other voices overlapping in the thick air of Christmas. I felt a hand on my right leg while I was going up the escalator and without much thought, I rushed towards the top not looking behind me. Then I heard a scream and a few cursed words.

I turned around and I saw you laying on the ground looking very much like a man in agony surrounded by a few people. A large lady had swayed her bag at you, sending you crawling onto the mall's glossy floor. I stared at you for a few minutes before recognizing you from my brother's Christmas party two weeks ago. I rushed down the escalator but I wasn't sure what would happen.

The crowd dispersed as I walked closer to you. Your green eyes stared up at me, smiling but in pain with your right hand holding your stomach. I helped you up and laughed wondering what you must had gone through the whole three hours chasing after me, bombarded by perfumer pushers and mall employees.

I said nothing as I waited for you to speak. It took a while but finally you stuck your hand into your coat pocket and pulled out the uncrumpled dollar bill. This is yours you said. I smiled as I took the bill and said thank you, quickly checking the list before tucking the bill inside my bag.

I offered to buy you coffee as an apology. That's when I noticed how your eyes sparkled among the colorful mall lights. Your ruby lips curved in such an inviting smile that it made me all gleeful inside. I thought it was kind of romantic but at the same time kind of insane. What guy would go through such an ordeal just to return a dollar bill? I guess you would.


3WW: Empty, Highway, Ignored