Chapter 1

I looked around the parking lot as I approached the store front. I didn't really like this store, but it'd been years since I'd last been to a KMart. I was curious to see how it'd progressed in it's attempt to lure in the customers, other than that, I was really just killing time.

I entered the store and, to my pleasure, it did look more welcoming. The myriad of people, products and colours weren't so confusing to the senses as many places had become over the years. I walked further into the store. I decided that my first stop would be home decorating. I'm always looking for new ideas for my rooms and, after spotting the telltale sign, I headed off in that direction.

I meandered, like a slow moving river in the hills, between aisles, people and display cases. I was beginning to feel like I'd been released in a candy store as I passed the racks spouting wonderful products for wonderfully low prices. I kept my hands to my side, though, to avoid undue temptations. My walk, however took me not to the home decorations, but to the pet supplies department. Well, my dog did need a new bone.

I stood in the aisle looking at the selection of dog chews, toys, medicines and other dog supplies -- some necessary others nothing more than a waste of money. I finally found the -- the big ones -- that my dog enjoys. I had to stoop down low to read the price cards that were posted on each bin. Feeling my back protest with the prolonged position, I finally gave up and got down on my knees -- heedless of anyone around me.

"Now that's a position I like to see my women in." I heard a masculine voice whisper beside me. I look up and stared into your face, taking in the reddish-gray hair, the slightly bent nose, the small, rather weak looking chin. You are not smiling, though. I smirk in response to such an appalling and obviously male chauvinistic comment.

Ignoring you, I select a bone and crawl down to the collars, thankful to put several feet between us. I reach for a nice leather one with rhinestones and feel it's weight in my small hand. Caressing the soft underside of the leather strap, I hear you again whispering to me, "Is that for spanking or for your lovely neck?" I look up from my kneeling position and again, I see that you are not smiling. You are however, staring at me intently. I toss the collar into the bin just below the hanging collars and rise to my feet. I'd had enough of your comments and wished only to be rid of you. I moved off, again headed in the direction of home decorations.

I passed the hardware department and caught a glimpse of rope down one of the less crowded aisles. That reminded me, so I headed off down the aisle, targeting the clothes line. Soon, I'd have a place to hang clothes outside and I wanted to be sure I had line ready. I looked forward to sun dried sheets in the summertime. I loved the heady smell of the outdoors.

I squeezed my way in between two faceless women, my mind chronicling these two strangers and nothing more than part of the scenery -- obstacles to be mounted. "Excuse me, ladies." I beseech, halfheartedly as I reach for two different ropes. I'm barely aware that they move off down the aisle with a mumbled response. I glanced over at them, wondering about my sudden rudeness to them. "Sorry..." Was all I could say before they disappeared around the corner.

"Nylon is better." Spinning around, I find you standing directly behind me. Our eyes meet and still there is no sign of a smile. "It will work better for suspending a lovely lady from the ceiling." Shocked by your words, I begin to walk backwards.

"That's nice, Sir." I say to you as I too, follow the other nameless, faceless women around the corner of the aisle, still carrying both lengths of ropes with me. A glint of silver catches my eyes as I move out of your sight.

Now, I'm headed in the wrong direction. I had to decide to backtrack or circle around. Looking left and right, I found that I was in the sporting goods department. I laid my rope on a shelf holding fishing tackle and head to the other end of the department, deciding that the roundabout way would be easiest. Besides, I was in a hurry to lose you; I wasn't in a hurry to complete my inspection of the store.

I zipped around the corner and heard several packages drop to the floor. "Damn." I leaned down, swooped up the errant packages of sinkers, tossed them onto a shelf and proceeded on.

As I walked down a side aisle, I watched for you. I wanted to make sure I was finally rid of your cool stare, your odd comments and your commanding stance. I couldn't say I didn't like you; I didn't know you. I couldn't say you were rude; I had no idea why you made such comments. I couldn't say you were handsome; you weren't.