Forever is not Forever

Forever 21 was on the verge of bankruptcy when it was purchased by some company called Forever 91.  No one knew what to expect.  

Grand opening showed a line that stretched from Cheesecake Factory to Red Robin, with a mixture of girls and old ladies.  The girls clustered and giggled as they watched the old ladies laugh at the girls. Apparently they had worn that stuff in 1969, and they looked better in them, way hot. I know I did: hot!

The doors opened and the females moved in quickly and then they screeched to a stop.

When stores close

Where had the store gone?  Where were the skater shorts? Crystal Doll? City Studio? Swimsuits that exist in the strands of fabric only? Jewelry was obscene and expensive.

Forever 91?  The open door provided shopping carts and scooters ready for use, to be used by the 91 group.  Old ladies races to the carts, shrieking and laughing. The lady walkers were the best, quicker. 

styles across the ages

WELL, the carnage did not go well.  Old lady clothes someway appealed to the skinny giggles 16 year old girls. Why, it is not known. 

So there you have it. The Old may be old, but oh my, do not get in their way. The youngsters lost interest, decided to go to local arcades. 

I told my gr-daughter (8 yr. old) about turning store to a Forever 91 really upset her. We went to Starbucks, all was well with the world.

Walk on the Wild Side

Oh, yeah.

Brenda leaned her head back as the wind caressed her streaked hair. At last, a convertible, my own convertible. A burgundy convertible. Laughter trailed after her.

Brenda knew she was hot, so totally hot. The women around her were hags compared to her.  The men who passed by gave her that look, confirming her thoughts. They waved and smiled, that kind of smile that said Hey, babe. Walk on the wild side...

She slammed her foot down on the gas, taking her convertible to its highest speed.  Take that, mustangs.

Brenda slowed just enough to hang the turn into the parking lot.  She skid into a space, one near the Atrium where cards slid across the felt and fortunes fell. Money burned in her red Louis Vuitton purse.

In moments, Brenda was through a door that opened for her.

Brenda eased her walker to an awaiting table. "Hey, ladies. You ready to put your money where your mouth is?" With that, she turned up her hearing aid and slapped down the maximum ante of $3.00. 

"Saw your new golf cart, Brenda!  Could see that you cranked it up to 20 mph this time. Speed will kill you every time. That and Alzheimer's." Hester smirked.

Those around her chuckled and picked up their cards. Brenda laid her red Louis Vuitton purse on her walker. She had left her cane at home, since her last hip surgery.

Arthritis is a bitch.

Click here to see where Brenda gambles

Relativity

Avo Theater in Vista, California: source

Sitting in a darkened theater as actors unfolded the plot, Susan realized that she may be the youngest person in the small local theater.  If 61 years can be considered young, then she definitely was.

The high pitch of hearing aids and occasional stage whispers what-did-that-man-say-I-can’t-understand-any-of-this reminded Susan that age is relative. 

It reminded her that walkers and hearing aids do not an old person make.  Yes, creaking joints, arthritic fingers, and sagging skin are darn good indicators.  But, it is what happens in the brain that makes a difference.

The fact that the theater was full of elderly people who got there on their own power and who laughed at the right times (mostly) says a lot.  The fact that groups of widows talked about going out to dinner afterwards says life goes on. The fact that the husband & wife couples still held hands says more. 

All in all, Susan felt like a teenager.