bumper carts (open)

[Quinn Collins]

Quinn had never been huge on Holidays. She wasn't the type to go all out and decorate or blast Christmas songs from after Thanksgiving dinner throughout the season. In fact she was a bit of a scrooge. She would have rather just skipped the season all together. It was tacky and only promoted fake chit chat and idle conversation with people she didn't really care about. And now her brothers and father were coming up to her for Christmas. Wonderful. Despite being in Vermont for almost six months she still wasn't completely unpacked. She didn't see the point. She wasn't trying to impress anyone she lived alone and rarely had company over and if she did have them over it wasn't to hang out and play xbox.

Quinn racked her hands through her dark hair as she walked into the store. It was Christmafied to the max and a big part of her wanted to just walk out before she glared too hard at the wrong eggnog tripping elf sending their fake smile into overload. She wasn't in the mood to hear any remarks about Christmas cheer or listen to the holiday song loop the store no doubtably had on repeat to the dismay of their employees.

After about two seconds Quinn had already had enough and started to half hazardly grab decorations. She'd make due with whatever she happened to grab and figure it out later. For now her goal was just to get the hell out of the store. She threw a tiny christmas tree into her cart followed by some tinsel, wrapping paper, assorted christmas lights, 2 pairs of reindeer ear, 2 santa hats, and some sparkly crap that she had no idea what it was. Looked promising though. She then made a b-line for the nearest register.

Quinn's face went wide as she saw another eager shopper making a run for the empty register too. "That bastard." Quinn muttered pushing herself into a near sprint to try and beat out her competitor only to collide with them in the aisle sending both carts propelling forward and crashing into a discount dvd display. Quinn's mouth fell open in shock and unflattering four letter words seemed to fall out as well. After the initial shock Quinn erupted in laughter.

[Gregory Strickland]

Greg had a thoughtful hand on his chin as he scanned the various sizes of Christmas trees in the store. Most of them were too big to even bother wanting to set up by himself, and the rest were lazily tiny. Without giving it another thought, he shrugged and made his way happily to the next aisle with his cart full of tiny white Christmas lights. A dark haired woman seemed to be throwing random Christmas objects into her cart and Greg watched in amusement. The music didn’t seem to be helping her holiday cheer one bit. If she didn’t like it, why was she picking out those reindeer antlers?

He carried on, his fingers sliding over a few of the appliances as he contemplated buying a bread maker. Hmm, just how would Sean and the rest of his friends feel about having fresh bread about once a week? Because believe you me, once Greg starts baking it’s next to impossible to get him to stop. That idea went out the window as well. He wasn’t going to be one of those widows who baked and had a million cats and never left the house because they were afraid of the outside world. If he was going to buy anything expensive, it would be that obnoxiously huge inflatable Santa over there in the corner of the store.

It hadn’t occurred to him as he made his way to the open check-out that he might not be the only one trying to get out of the store. Greg wasn’t trying to beat anyone there, but he was wearing a determined look and his longer strides could have been mistaken for a sprint. So when his cart crashed into someone else’s and nearly knocked down a movie display, the blonde’s forehead wrinkled up in shock. He turned to look at the woman he had been spying on before, who was angry one minute and laughing the next. He never had and never would understand women.

Fetching both carts, Greg pushed hers before his. “Well that’s one way to get out of here,” he said with a small smile before chuckling. The whole thing was mildly amusing, but she seemed eager to leave the store with her purchases, and Greg had nowhere to be. Really, he had nowhere to be and nothing to do, he isn’t just being kind of the sake of it. “They’re not running out of Christmas supplies any time soon I’m sure,” he added, simply trying to be friendly. They were in a small town after all, he didn’t want to go making enemies just yet.

[Quinn Collins]

Quinn didn't know what got into her. She wasn't the type to laugh, especially not in public due to her snorting problem. Which she was now doing now that the laugh had gotten deep within her being and made it's way to her bones. She hated that about herself. So embarrassing. So unattractive. The snorting also just made her laugh harder 99% of the time. Such a shame.

Quinn looked over at the man she'd bumped into happy he at least didn't seem angry. That was good. The dark haired girl really wasn't in the market for any more enemies and she knew how serious most people were about their holidays and their schedules around it. It was just one more reason Quinn genuinely didn't like Christmas. Everything was rushed and despite everyones painted on smiles underneath was a godzilla sized monster ready to choke the life out of anyone who crossed their candy cane the wrong way. Yikes.

She took a few deep breaths calming herself down and letting herself fall back into her comfortable stance the best she could. She didn't know who this guy was. She might be his kid's doctor or something and she didn't need him to see her like this. "Sorry. Yeah I guess I was rushing a bit." She said starting to straighten up the dvd's her cart had flew into. She was still giggling a little.

"No. I guess I just... Don't do the Christmas thing and wanted to get out too bad." She shrugged. "I mean it's kind of stupid... the decorations and all." THere she was pushing away. Being a jerk. "I mean really how tacky." She racked her hands through her dark hair turning back to look at the man. "Sorry. I guess I'm overwhelmed."

[Gregory Strickland]

What was a shame was that this beautiful woman didn’t think she was just that, beautiful. Not that Greg was into that sort of thing, but her laugh was adorable and made his smile broader. He was sure anyone could fall in love with a laugh like that, it was one that made others feel lighter; feel a little better about the harsh and cruel world they lived in. It was just the medicine he needed.

“It’s alright, it happens to everyone,” he lied. They both knew people didn’t go around racing to the checkouts on a daily basis. “Well, during the holiday season I suppose,” he added, not making the situation any better, but he found that talking to complete strangers about ambiguous subjects often served to lighten the mood. The whole scenario was rather amusing anyways, and Greg thought he should take the time to enjoy it, remember it and commit it to memory.

"I mean it's kind of stupid... the decorations and all." Gregory looked down into his cart where his twinkle lights lay dormant. “Aw, they don’t seem so harmful,” he said, taking them out of the cart to have a better look at them. The cashier didn’t seem very impressed that no one was planning on leaving any time soon. If anyone had merit to be angry, it was her. He couldn’t help himself then, as he began putting the woman’s things on the checkout to get things moving. She had so much stuff. “I’m Greg by the way, just new into town,” he said, the cashier seemed a little happier now that she could focus on something other than the annoying music.

“Why bother buying this stuff if it’s tacky and stupid, if you don’t mind me asking?” His blue eyes showed curiosity. “People tend to avoid things they don’t like, not spend money on it,” he was trying to be jolly about the whole thing, and he could only hope the woman would laugh again. It was lovely.

[Quinn Collins]

It was nice of him to try and make her not look like an asshole. She knew the truth though and was just happy this didn't end in a yelling match. She looked at their carts. She somehow managed to have more holiday garb than he did in his. It probably didn't make much sense to him but she couldn't say it made much sense to her either. She'd never decorated on her own before. Even when she was younger she left most of the decorating up to other people. She just wasn't into it and never paid much attention to what one might want to buy if they were going to decorate. ALl the stuff she'd ever used growing up they'd stored and re-used every year anyway.

Quinn helped starting to put the thinks on the checkout. "I'm Quinn." She introduced herself then shrugged when he asked. "I have family visiting." She explained. "It's more for them than for me to be honest... They are really into decorating and holiday garb and what not and it's kind of a big Christmas." She sighed. It was the tenth one they were celebrating without her mom... she was really into Christmas when she was alive. Perhaps that was why Quinn avoided it so much.

"I guess we all have our reasons for partaking in the bullshit... even if it's for others." She said and then looked at him. "What about you? Why take part in the decorations so much? Is it to make yourself feel festive? Do you really think the decorations matter?" She was genuinely interested.

[Gregory Strickland]

Greg had made his own holiday traditions with his husband, and it usually involved a lot of lights and a lot of drunk singing. He would go carolling with the neighbours if he was in a good mood, but Christmas Eve was usually spent helping others in a homeless shelter, spending time with them and making them feel happy. He could only hope the favour would be returned when he was truly old and grey and in an old folks home.

“Well I’m sure they’ll appreciate your efforts Quinn,” he offered kindly, placing the last of the goods on the moving balck band. He looked at all the tinsel and other sparkly items getting their priced checked. It seemed as though she had all the usual stuff, it wasn’t as thought she were buying light bulbs and toilet paper. Although some eggs would bring a favourite Halloween tradition to a different holiday. There seemed to be a distant look on the woman’s face as she thought about something he probably would understand better than she assumed he could. Death was the end factor of life that everyone had to face in many different ways.

Greg held his smile, “You’re right, the holidays are all about giving though, so I don’t see what the harm a little glitter and flare could do.” He put up the separation bar so he could lay his Christmas lights to head towards the checkout as well. “Honestly?” He asked, taking his wallet out of his jacket pocket. “The lights make me smile and they brighten up the house, I try not to make the decorations too crazy though,” his eyes were sad now. He missed Nate, he missed celebrating with him. He was not looking forward to setting up the decorations by himself this year.

“So will it be a big gathering then? Will you have enough food for everyone?” He asked. Hopefully Quinn would have thought that little detail out as well. Food was probably more important than decorations, at least they were in his mind.

[Quinn Collins]

Quinn looked over at the older man. His tone of voice reminded her so much of her own father that it made it hard for her not to laugh. He seemed to be a lot like her father, calm, collected, polite. It made her smile despite how the upcoming visit was making her stress. In a way though it also helped sooth her. He was right her efforts probably would be appreciated but Quinn did really want them to think she was doing well. And she was... in a lot of ways...

Quinn watched sadness come into his eyes and frowned. She wondered what about the happy christmas lights he was just talking about suddenly made him sad. But she wouldn't push, Quinn rarely pushed for information. "Not a big gathering..." The words almost choked her. It was supposed to be a big gathering. But it wouldn't be after all. "Just my father and two brothers."

She hadn't even started to think about food. Cooking wasn't her strong suit at all. "I honestly haven't really thought about food... i was hoping to just buy some pre cooked stuff and heat it up or something... I cant.. cook for shit." She said with an awkward chuckle.

"What about you? you have big plans for the day?" She almost wanted to invite him over.

[Gregory Strickland]

Greg offered a small smile. "Well then there shouldn't be much to cook then, now should there?" He was sure she could cook for that many people, it wasn't as though she had a lot of people waiting on her beck and call. "The internet has plenty of lovely holiday recipes," he said, even though she might have known this by now. She was probably a couple decades younger than him and realized the internet had free information a long time ago.

He laughed then as his lights were rung up. "Tell ya what," he said as he handed the cashier his debit card, "if you want an old fart to help you cook Christmas dinner it would be my pleasure. My husband always enjoyed my dishes." He had said the statement without thinking as he punched in his PIN number, looking from the cashier to Quinn with a small smile which was quickly fading. It hit him like a brick to the chest and he began to search the ground in embarrassment. No, not about having a husband, but losing him.

He gathered his things and gave the woman his business card with his new home phone number. "Just let me know Quinn, I'd be happy to help."

[Quinn Collins]

Quinn looked at the man telling her about the internet. He was easily 10 years older than her. She had internet through high school and college at least. He probably needed a manual to figure it out like most of his generation. "Yeah i'll have to try that internet thing out." She said with a chuckle. She was being a bitch again.

She was cursing herself for being a little snotty asshole when he then offered to help her cook. She smiled. "You know... I'd really like that." She said then caught on. Husband. He was gay? Jeezez something was in the water in this town! She had met more gay men than straight. it was a good thing that she wasn't trying to look for anything romantic.

Quinn took his business card and reached in her own wallet pulling out hers. It was cute, with a little crayon drawn stick figure doctor on it and her information, a little picture her nephew had drawn that suited her profession as a pediatrician.

"Yeah I'll give you a call." She said then looked over at him. She wanted to ask if he wanted to come for christmas, if he had any plans. He said he had a husband but.... people got divorced. She might not have been the most festive person but she wasn't keen on him being alone on Christmas.