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Shopping

Jaz was up early before school, and found out they weren't the only one awake. They tried to draw Timika into conversation, but all they got for their effort was a weird look, so Jaz just shut up and ate breakfast in silence. Jaz wondered what Timika's story was, but didn't feel like they could ask, so ... silence it was.

Once breakfast was over, it was time to get ready for school, and at least there was Penny to talk to while doing that. Penny was about Phoenix's age, an orphan, and apparently - until recently - they'd been in a home with mostly toddlers. Talking about them made Jaz feel even more lost without their siblings, and Penny empathized with them, remarking that she was glad she had no siblings to miss. Being moved to a new home was bad enough without feeling like they'd been ripped away from family. Jaz agreed with Penny sadly, and the two went out to wait for the school bus.

As the youngest in the house, and the only one to stay at home with Wendy during school hours, Jimmy was able to get a lot of attention during the day. Matt worked in the business industry, and between his paychecks and the payments from the foster agency, Wendy was able to be a stay at home parent like she really wanted to. After Layla, they had been unable to have another biological child, so the decision to become foster parents had been easy, really. So many kids these days were in need of a stable family life after falling on hard times.

After school, Jaz and the other kids all sat down to finish their homework. It was a rule in the house that homework had to be done before anything else, and it was one Jaz wholeheartedly approved of. Jaz was done first, and sat down for a moment to enjoy the peace and quiet of the house, wondering what to do with the rest of their afternoon. They decided that maybe they'd work on their Creativity aspiration, which needed Jaz to play with several different toys. With a sigh, Jaz got up and headed for the toybox they remembered seeing in Jimmy's room.

"Oh, there you are, Jaz!" Wendy said cheerfully, "I was just coming to find you."

"Oh? What for?" Jaz asked, hoping it wasn't anything bad.

"I just talked to Penny, and I'm going to take her shopping. I thought maybe you'd like to get a bit of a makeover. I understand times have been rather hard lately, and I noticed your clothes aren't the newest. Perhaps something new would be good?" Wendy asked, hoping Jaz wouldn't take the offer wrong.

"Really?" Jaz replied, unsure of what really to say.

"Of course. We could make a whole afternoon of it. Maybe get hair cuts, if you are interested, and then go to Magnolia Promenade to see what we can find for new clothes." Wendy replied with a smile.

"Magnolia...? Not the thrift store?" Jaz asked, astounded that they'd actually get to go shopping at a REAL store, not just get hand me downs or thrift store castaways.

Wendy chuckled, "No, honey. I meant new clothes."

"I've never had new clothes." Jaz commented quietly, then reached up to touch their shaggy hair, "And a haircut might be nice."

"Well, let's go then. Let me get my purse and keys. I'll meet you at the car, okay?"

Jaz nodded, and went to find Penny excitedly.

After a short drive to the shopping district, they all got out of the car and followed Wendy into the store.

Both kids browsed for new clothes, surreptitiously looking at price tags. This was so much money, and both worried that this was just too much expense when there were other kids in the house. Wendy caught them, and told them to stop looking, and not to worry about it for today.

Jaz's jaw dropped, and tried to not feel weird for doing actual shopping without being given a budget.

As if sensing a big sale, the saleslady came over, and insisted on helping Jaz and Penny find styles that would fit. Before long, even Jaz had gotten into the retail therapy, and happily picked out some new outfits that would fit closer with the boyish style they felt more comfortable with.

After picking almost a whole new wardrobe, Jaz felt horribly guilty about the total cost, but Wendy assured her that it was easily covered in the budget. They then went around the corner, to the salon - a place Jaz had NEVER been to. Marnie had always cut Jaz's hair to save money. Not even sure what to tell the stylist they wanted, Jaz pored over style magazines until they found a style they felt would work. The style seemed more appropriate for a boy, which fit well with their new outfit style. Since Wendy seemed to be okay with it, Jaz sat nervously while the scissors snipped. When the stylist turned them around, Jaz's jaw dropped. They looked so different! With a hesitant grin, Jaz showed Penny and Wendy, to resounding compliments. Both seemed to really like what Jaz had picked, to their relief.

The drive home in the dark was noisy, with all three of them chattering excitedly. Jaz had completely forgotten about calling Kayla. When Jaz finally remembered, they were already curled up in bed. Promising to try to call the next day, Jaz drifted off to sleep, happily fingering the ends of their new haircut and feeling so much older in their new pjs. Being able to get rid of that ridiculous rainbow bunny suit and slippers felt like actually growing up.

Bonus shot: Post-makeover Jaz

And: an outfit tour for both Jaz and Penny.

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