Jack and the Laptop- part 1

“Jack, come down here!” called my mother as I sat in my room, trying to do my homework. Any excuse to drop everything was good enough for me so I quickly slammed my book shut and raced down the stairs, only to bump right into her as she waited at the bottom of the steps. She grabbed on to the banister, trying to steady herself, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a one hundred dollar bill. I could feel my mouth fall open in shock so I quickly snapped it shut and reached for the money. My mother, however, was quicker. She wrenched her hand away and a frown occupied her face. “I found this under the couch when I was vacuuming. This is a lot of money; money that could be used for groceries. What with our financial problems, it’s been a while since we had any fresh food in the fridge.” I looked over at the kitchen and cringed when I noticed the small, green refrigerator. I could have sworn it was white when we first bought it. I turned back to her with a perplexed expression.

“What exactly do you want me to do?” I asked and my mother slowly brought the bill in front of my face. Her eyes were sceptical, but she seemed to trust me enough to let it be in my presence.

“I want you to go down to the market and buy food.” She pulled out a white piece of paper from her apron and handed it to me. Scribbled on it in neat, legible writing was bananas, carrots, apples, lettuce and tomatoes. I looked at the paper, then at the money, then at her; bewilderment being my prominent emotion. I couldn’t believe she trusted me with all this money. I was a sixteen year old boy with sports and video games on my mind. She must really think I’m maturing, I thought as I took the money from her hand. “All you have to do is go to the market, get the food and try not to lose the money.” I nodded in understanding as I walked towards the door with a wide smile on my face. I heard her let out a nervous sigh, but I ignored it and made my way down the street.

I took a sharp turn on Leslie Avenue and was shocked when I noticed the dozens of fruit and vegetable stands. Each one had big, bright signs above them. I slowly walked by each one, continuously looking down at the grocery list, when I spotted a small store. I didn’t seem to sell vegetables, but it was right in the center the market so I decided to give it a look. I walked in to the soft jingle of a bell. Immediately, the cashier’s head snapped up towards me. I looked around the room at the hundreds of small trinkets and gadgets that were perched up on glass shelves. I finally stopped when I reached the front counter.

“I’m guessing you don’t sell food here.” I said and the small, skinny man behind the counter smiled a toothless grin. It sent a shiver up my spine, but I didn’t want to leave. The store intrigued me.

“Maybe you’ll be interested in something else.” He said in a hoarse voice. I looked around the room once again, doubting that I would find anything of great value until my gaze stopped at a white laptop on a shelf at the other side of the room. The man’s smile grew wider as he walked towards it and pried it off the shelf. He gently placed it on the counter in front of me. “Do you like computers?” he asked.

“I dunno. I’ve never really had one.” I said without looking away from the laptop. It was so clean and in perfect condition.

“Well, this one is different than all the rest.” The man said and my head shot up in interest. “See, this computer can take you to another world where anything and everything is possible.” I stared at him, wondering if what he was saying was just a scheme to get me to buy the laptop. His wrinkled face was dead serious. There wasn’t a hint of a smile on his features. I looked back down at the computer. A laptop would be useful, I thought, it would help us a lot. I shot a look at the grocery list in my hand then shoved it into my pocket.

“How much?” I asked with a sudden determination. The man licked his lips then looked me up and down.

“How much do you have?” I pulled out the bill and he smiled. In one swift motion he pulled it out of my hand and checked it under the light. Obviously satisfied with its authenticity, he shoved it into his pocket and handed me the laptop.

“This better work when I get home.” I said sternly and his smile faded. “If it’s broken I’m coming back here for my money.” The man pursed his lips and nodded before I walked out of the store with the laptop under my arm and a broad smile on my face.