My 13 year old child – “Mom, my friends are talking about going to the Cherry Creek Mall on Sunday. I think I wanna go.” I notice the grumpy teenager actually looks happy for the first time in 8.25 days.

Me – “You wanna go hang out at the mall?” Thoughts of wanting to be with friends at the mall when I was a kid float around in my head. My parents never allowed me to hang out anywhere but the skating rink.

13 year old – “Yes. We will just walk around and stuff.” She looks at me like I don’t understand her life at all.

Me – “Ok. I will allow it, if I go and sit in the middle area. Ya, know where they put santa during the holidays.” I wonder if she will throw a fit about Mom being in the same region she resides.

13 year old – “Fine.” The child in question turns and walks away.

Teenager pacified and all is right in the world.

Fast forward to Sunday and I am sitting in the large area with squishy chairs. I am excited, because there aren’t many people around, and I found a spot without anyone else nearby. I get out my laptop and start writing. I am proud, since I finished editing last weekend. I am finally ready to continue Edan’s adventure. A lady appears, sits directly behind me, and begins talking on her phone loudly. Even-though they have to weave through chairs, people walk close to me chattering happily. The near constant movement around me is overwhelming and incredibly distracting.

I can report 98 words written.