obsession

Kai13 had that sinking feeling. He reluctently climbed into the passenger side of BIG BLUE. He could only guess how old the big, dark blue van was. Forget about better days, this thing had seen better decades. It had dents only a metorite could have caused. The headlights didn't work, the windshield wipers had broken off, and the windows didn't open. The back seats were gone, the carpet was missing large chunks, and the front seats were lumpy. Only the engine and radio worked. He glanced over at Heather, sitting behind the wheel. Heather almost never used The Van, rideing with others or riding Jade. There was only one reason Heather used BIG BLUE......to go shopping. He kept quiet as Heather drove into Kaitown. He wondered what they were shopping for? Clothing? No she had said the other day she didn't need any. Shoes? No she didn't like shoe shopping. Food? No she did that two days ago. Then what?? He got his answer a few minutes later.

KAITOWN CONVENTION CENTER, the sign read. Under it, a message flashed that sent a chill down Kai13's back. *TODAY ONLY! THE FIRST ANNUAL KAITOWN COLLECTABLE CONVENTION!* "oh no!" moaned Kai13 as Heather pulled into the packed parking lot.

"OH YES, hot stuff. I wouldn't miss this for the world." Heather grined over at Kai13, handing him several *for the moment* empty bags and jumped out of BIG BLUE.
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Kai13 groaned, his head down as he followed Heather towards the mamoth building. This was going to be a long day. Kai13 watched quietly as Heather payed the entry fee and looked over the complementry map she was given. The different sections of the convention were marked by color. They stood near a wall as Heather scanned the map. "That's the one," Heather pointed to a small teal square, "All we have to do is go threw Barbie, hang a left at G.I.Joe, swing around Salt and Pepper Shakers, then a hop, skip, and jump across the Armani." Heather grabbed Kai13's wrist and pulled him into the crouds walking towards a large pink banner, the entrence to the Barbie room. Eyes wide with shock, Kai13 looked across a sea of humanity. Hundread of women crouded around tables and blocked the aisles, snatching up the plastic dolls like they were gold.

"Darn it." growled Heather. "We'll never get threw." Heather looked out over the room for a moment. Kai13 thought for a moment Heather would give up. He was wrong. A sudden giggle escaped her as Heather grabbed Kai13 and pulled him infront of her. "Walk."

"WHAT??" Kai13 looked back at Heather, thinking she had finnaly lost it.

"Walk, and if you have to, Pout." They quickly cut a path threw the room, stepping around piles of THUDed women.
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Kai13 looked up as Heather appered out of the croud. SHe dumped a full bag in his lap, grabed an empty one, kissed him on the cheek and darted back into the fray. He sighed watching her go. At the center of the convention floor sat the Resting Area, more commonly known as the Men's Room. This was the place where men waited while their ladies shopped. It was mostly silent, save a few men who quietly wept under mounds of bags and boxes. Kai13 sat next to a small man drowning in Barbies. Across from him, a tall elderly man sat, watching over several bags of Cherished Teddies.

Kai13 felt lucky, Heather had so far only returned with two large shopping bags full. He looked down into the newest one. He recognized the now familar pastel, patchwork boxes. He quietly read off some of the names; Hey Diddle Diddle, Pussy Cat and the Queen, Yarning For Mom's Attention, Cold Nose Warm Heart, Feel-ine Fine in the City. Kai13 was silently thankful that Heather collected Calico Kittens. The cute little cat figures might take up most of the shelf space and cost more money then some small countrys but they were better then some collections. He looked over at a large, burly man, surounded by shopping bags. He openly wept, two other men tryed in vain to comfort him. "Poor fellow." said the tall men, watching the weeping man.

"What does his collect?" asked the short man.

Kai13 shivered and whispered, "Beanie Babies." A collective shiver passed threw the men. Just then a loud commotion got Kai13's attention. He looked up in time to see Heather dart out of the croud. She dashed across the room. "Heather, what is it?" Kai13 stood up as Heather scidded to a stop.

"No time, come on." Heather gasped for air. Kai13 grabbed the two shopping bags just as a very large, *VERY* angry woman burst threw the crowd. Spotting Heather, she let out a snarl and charged towards them. Kai13 turned in time to see Heather running for her life. Kai13 quickly followed. They cut a path threw the crowds, into the hall way and threw the main doors all the while the inraged woman charged like a bull threw the people behind them. In the parking lot, Heather spead up, dodgeing and weaving threw the cars, Kai13 close behind. Opening the side door, Heather tossed her bags into BIG BLUE and jumped in. Kai13 tossed in his bags as Heather fired up the engine. He had barely gotten in when BIG BLUE lurched into motion. The van rocked as the snarling beast woman punched it's side adding a new dent. Kai13 looking in the mirror as the woman made several rude gestures as they spead away. "What was that about?" Kai13 asked, slightly shocked.

Heather shruged as she stopped at a red light, "Oh she's just p*ssed that I got to it before her."

"Got to what???" Heather giggled as she reached down inside her shirt and pulled out.... "The 94' dated ornament." Heather smiled down at it before tucking it back down her shirt.

Kai13 sat, mouth hanging open for a moment, "Your insane!"

Heather grinned and winked at him, "I know, ain't it wonderful."
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Kai13 sighed. "If I'm not careful, I might get paranoid." he thought as he looked around the room. From every shelf, every table, every available surface, a pair of inquizitive, green eyes stared back at him. It was a bit unnerving. Heather had spent the rest of the day unpacking, admiring and then finding places for all the Calico Kittens she had bought. After several hours, Heather had finaly crashed on the sofa and now used Kai13's lap as a pillow. Reaching over, he picked up the ornament that had sent them running for their lives. He turned the little kitten around, it was dressed like Santa, with a bag of toys behind it and a scarf in it's paws dated 1994.

"What is it about these that drives Heather to obsession?" he wondered. Sitting the ornament back on the table, Kai13 looked down at Heather, sleeping peacefully. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, letting it slide threw his fingers. He trailed his fingers along the side of her face, drinking in everything about her, The way her hair framed her face, the smooth feel of her skin, the way the light played across her face. Just as he had every day sence they had meet, Kai13 memorized everything about her, every tiny detail that made her so beautiful, so unique, so very special to him.

"I can't fault you your obsession." he whispered softly, smiling, "I have one of my own...... you."