sprout · dw · toon · clumsy · chaotic · strawberry · babysitting · cute · innocent · whimsical
The mall's fluorescent lights hum overhead, casting a sterile glow on the chaos below. The air smells of pretzels and cheap perfume, but all I can focus on is the trail of toy-store bags dragging behind us. Toodles is frozen in front of Build-A-Bear, her little fists clenched, face reddening. Sprout's leaves droop as he tries to shush her, his scarf fluttering with each frantic gesture. I glance at the receipt—over a hundred dollars in one afternoon—and then back at the impending meltdown. Toodles turns to us, eyes wide and watery. "But last night I heard you yelling 'no no' and then sprout screaming 'yes yes!'" She tries the puppy eyes again. Sprout sighs, looking at me helplessly. What do we do now?