• Home
  • About The Large Man Chronicles

The Large Man Chronicles

…it's the journey.

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« In Praise Of An Older Woman
Relay for Life: The Joy of Fundraising »

A Day At the Mall

May 19, 2011 by JC Dolinger

“Ok honey, I’ll be right here on the bench, reading my book. Shop ‘til you drop.” I said with a smile. “Just don’t go to another store without telling me. I’m gonna have my nose in this book, and I need to know where you are. Your Mom will be here in a few minutes, and if I don’t know where you are she’s gonna kick my ass.”

“Nice language Dad!” she replied with a frown. “KK – I’ll be here ‘til Mom gets here anyway. Everything in this store is like it was designed just for me. If I need your opinion, can I come get you?”

“Of course,” I said, and I watched her walk into the Slippery Eel, or the Wet Dolphin – whatever they call it. I don’t really remember the name.  I thought it sounded kind of suggestive and inappropriate for a place where a 12-year-old would acquire clothing, but I’m 51; going on 60…mannequins with boobs in a store where my kid shops seem inappropriate to me.

I watched my daughter’s little 12-year-old butt, along with the rest of her, wiggle its way into the boutique type store. I closed my eyes, rubbed them hard, and shook my head. How the hell did I get here?

We are doing the mall thing in Erie, PA. It’s a belated Mother’s Day trip – a week late due to circumstances beyond my control. My wife is looking at dresses, “by myself, please.”  My son is waiting in line to do some bungee jumping on this trampoline thing, “because it’s awesome!” And I’m watching my little girl grow up…at the Slick Whale. We’ll have a nice dinner later, and head back home.

I take a look at my book; I look up as the people walk by…young families, with young parents. That’s the way to do it, I think to myself. By the time those people are my age; they’ll be sending them off to college. When my kids go off to college, I’ll be back in diapers. How the hell did I get here?

 Back to my book; I try to turn the words into sentences, then a few sentences into some meaning, but all the motion of the mall is too distracting. I’m not necessarily in a people watching mood, but I can’t get comfortable knowing that I can’t get lost in this book. I’m watching over the pride…my son behind me, and the daughter in front, the mall is crowded so I’ll stay on high alert. I’ll watch the people and think about their stories as they walk by, and I’ll think about how the hell I got here.

I am not complaining…much. I am the luckiest man alive. Healthy, happy, reasonably well-adjusted family, a good job, house, three cars; I’m blessed beyond my expectations. That still doesn’t explain how I got here. For some reason, at this moment, I can’t stop wondering how it happened. It seems I just went on a date with this tall, blonde, nicely racked, chick…like three months ago, and then BLAM! I’m sitting in a mall, making sure my children and the modest contents of my wallet stay safe.

 I close my eyes and rub them again as if there is a genie inside my noggin that will pop out and give me the answers. I don’t even know the questions.

I watch the man pulling the oxygen tank on its little hand cart and I wonder if he is thinking, “How the hell did I get here?” I don’t think I could go to the mall if I had to walk with an oxygen tank. I can’t think of anything I would need from a mall if I were in that state. Every step, and obviously every breath, looks like such a chore. I admire this man’s will for normalcy; he just wants to do some shopping. I bet there is an adventure for every line on his face. I bet he has some tales to tell. I wish I had the onions to ask him what he was looking for…here at the mall, and for the rest of his life. I bet the story of how he got here is better than mine. This guy knows things that I would like to know.

I watch the girls with the piercings on their lips, eyebrows, and in their noses, with their fluorescent dyed hair combed over their face. The girls were staring at the boys with the jeans hanging off their asses, and their flat billed baseball caps worn 45 degrees off-center.  I look at the dude with the giant piecing in his ear lobe that leaves a three-quarter inch hole. His “skinny jeans” so tight the pockets are useless. I want to ask them questions too. Actually, I don’t really want to ask them anything; I just want to tell them some things. I want to share some of my knowledge of the world. I want to impart useful information to them. Things like flossing, and never ignoring your gums, always carry a handkerchief, no matter how senseless it seems right now.

 I want to tell them to not be so quick to trust words of love. Someone can tell you that they love you 100 times a day, but if their actions cause you harm, worry, or concern, they probably don’t love you – they just want you to love them. Acts of love are real, words of love are simply words…I want these kids to know this. They should also know that it’s never a good idea to ask a woman if she is pregnant unless you actually see her child being born. If she’s wearing Baby On Board tee shirt, it’s probably OK too.

I want to tell them that they should never judge someone by their appearance. And then, of course, I want to scream at them and say, “Stop mutilating your body, and pull your fucking pants up! You look like fucking idiots! I have news for you! There is this thing called iTunes now! There are no more record stores for you to work in! You’re gonna have to get a real job someday, and nobody is going to hire you with all that shit in your face and a three-quarter inch hole in your ear! But I love your spirit and individuality! Hugs! Just say no!” I would calmly scream these things…with love.

I watch the young couple looking in the window at Crate and Barrel, I wonder if they’re looking for stuff for their first house or apartment. I loved that feeling. I remember years ago, walking into Home Depot to get some spackle, and about halfway down aisle 12 I realized that I was actually going to the hardware store to buy something for my home. Not my parent’s home, not my roommate’s, and not my landlord’s…mine.  I wonder if it feels like magic to this couple, the way it did to me.

I see another young couple holding hands, and almost skipping into the pet store. Their excitement can’t be contained. I’m thinking they might be going to pick out a puppy. The puppy will be the “practice baby” before they try to make a baby of their own. I wonder if that feels like magic.

My son is about third or fourth in line now, his twitching shoulders tell me he’s getting excited. He sees me looking at him, so he gives me the thumbs up. I see my daughter, lost in the trance of retail stimuli; holding up tank tops and tee shirts. She holds them against her upper half as she looks in the mirror, then she tilts her head and shifts her hip to one side…the head tilt and hip shift will help determine the viability of the clothing. It’s like a science.

All is well. The pride is safe. I’m still wondering how I got here.

Then I see a Mom and Dad walking side by side, pushing a stroller. Inside the stroller sits a gorgeous baby girl, with violet blue eyes, and a pink Osh Kosh sweatshirt. Those blue eyes are looking with absolute wonder at all the bright colorful lights. She looks at the girls with purple hair and no faces, the boys with funny ears and goofy hats, and the Large Man sitting on a bench watching her and smiling. She looks right into that Large Man’s eyes and smiles a smile that would launch the space shuttle, and she claps her hands. And she answers his questions. She is taking in all the magic of life, she’s not asking how she got here, she‘s just happy that she is here. I think she was the genie that I was looking for earlier.

It doesn’t really matter how I got here, I’m here. So just roll with it, and enjoy the magic. Like a baby in a stroller. Let it be.

My daughter waves at me from inside the Slick Lobster, (whatever they call it) and stirs me out of my trance. She motions for me to come into the store, and mouths the words, “I need your help.”

So I walk in, she holds up two…uh…garments, and she asks me, “Which one of these short shorts are better?”

“For what,” I ask. “Are they like a bathing suit bottom?”

“No, these are short shorts! This is what everybody wears now.”

UGGGGHHHHH! She’s just 12. This is only gonna get worse.

Just roll with it Large Man…like a baby in a stroller. It’s magic…just let it be.

Thanks for reading

The Large Man

 

You can become a Large Man Fan on Facebook. You won’t get anything for it, but it will make you feel special. Just enter Fan of the Large Man Chronicles on the Facebook search bar, and click “Become a Fan”.

You can always comment on this story and others here on the blog page, or you can send a private email to thelargeman@gmail.com

If you care to share:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

10 Responses

  1. on May 19, 2011 at 9:10 PM Susie Dvorak

    First were a few tears from laughter, then came a few of the other kind. Nice post. Glad to have you back.


    • on May 19, 2011 at 11:13 PM Phil

      Ditto…


  2. on May 19, 2011 at 10:55 PM Scott Mewhinney

    JC, great post. I have had similar moments at the mall in Waldorf. Watching my boys chase each other while Lynne runs into the Ann Taylor store…all the while life passes by in various sizes, shapes, and colors.

    I also enjoyed your post about your mother. The apple never falls far from the tree, she was a good woman and that made you a good man! Hope you and the family are doing well.

    Keep writing Large Man! See you on Facebook.

    Regards,
    Scott


  3. on May 20, 2011 at 12:23 AM Karen

    Magical reading.


  4. on May 20, 2011 at 12:52 PM Erica

    I love this! The wonder of the world’s human essence and your place in it is well examined. I could really see and feel your experience! Well done, writer. 🙂


  5. on May 20, 2011 at 3:02 PM heidi

    A good read.; great imagery – I love how you tie in the baby as Genie.


  6. on May 20, 2011 at 9:02 PM Sue

    Amazing, dear friend….thanks for allowing us to look through your eyes and heart as you sat outside of the Slimy Crab (or whatever it was called. Hugs!


  7. on May 21, 2011 at 11:13 AM Anonymous

    JC Great post. I can especially relate to that feeling that I was just dating Tom 3 months ago and now we have a college bound kid. How did that happen so fast?


  8. on May 27, 2011 at 7:40 PM Terrisa

    As always that was wonderful… Hard reading it to Pop with the tears and all. Just want you to know I DO love you!!!


  9. on June 11, 2011 at 11:06 AM Anonymous

    JC, Just wanted you to know that checking to see if there is a new post on your blog is one of the highlights of my day. I love your raw perspective on life, love and family. Keep em coming!!
    Love,
    Cindy

    PS: The new “summer picture” is great. I want to grab the seat next to you at the beach 🙂



Comments are closed.

  • Archives

    • March 2022 (1)
    • January 2022 (1)
    • December 2021 (1)
    • April 2021 (1)
    • January 2021 (1)
    • July 2019 (1)
    • April 2019 (1)
    • May 2018 (1)
    • April 2017 (1)
    • January 2017 (1)
    • October 2016 (2)
    • August 2016 (1)
    • March 2016 (1)
    • February 2016 (1)
    • December 2015 (2)
    • November 2015 (1)
    • October 2015 (1)
    • August 2015 (1)
    • April 2015 (2)
    • March 2015 (1)
    • November 2014 (2)
    • October 2014 (2)
    • August 2014 (1)
    • June 2014 (1)
    • April 2014 (1)
    • February 2014 (2)
    • December 2013 (2)
    • September 2013 (1)
    • August 2013 (1)
    • April 2013 (1)
    • February 2013 (1)
    • December 2012 (1)
    • November 2012 (1)
    • October 2012 (2)
    • September 2012 (1)
    • August 2012 (2)
    • July 2012 (1)
    • June 2012 (1)
    • May 2012 (1)
    • April 2012 (1)
    • March 2012 (1)
    • February 2012 (3)
    • January 2012 (1)
    • December 2011 (3)
    • November 2011 (1)
    • October 2011 (1)
    • September 2011 (1)
    • August 2011 (1)
    • July 2011 (1)
    • June 2011 (2)
    • May 2011 (1)
    • April 2011 (1)
    • March 2011 (2)
    • February 2011 (1)
    • January 2011 (2)
    • December 2010 (1)
    • November 2010 (1)
    • October 2010 (1)
    • September 2010 (2)
    • August 2010 (3)
    • July 2010 (2)
    • June 2010 (3)
    • May 2010 (3)
    • April 2010 (1)
    • March 2010 (1)
    • February 2010 (1)
    • January 2010 (2)
    • December 2009 (3)
    • November 2009 (4)
    • October 2009 (5)
  • Categories

    • Food for Thought (3)
    • Just Havin Fun (3)
    • Uncategorized (101)
  • Pages

    • About The Large Man Chronicles

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


  • Follow Following
    • The Large Man Chronicles
    • Join 515 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Large Man Chronicles
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: