Page 46 of Fierce-Colson
“Thanks, Colson. I don’t need much. Just a few things.”
“You should tell me when you need things. You said you didn’t need much to start school.”
She shrugged. “I’m not used to getting many clothes. Most of last year’s fit, but I’ve been saving my allowance and I wanted to get a few things and there are sales.”
He turned to her in the car at the light. “Bella, I hope you don’t avoid asking for things because of money?”
“Dad never had much. He told me not to ask. I know you’re taking care of me, but I’m still a burden—”
“Whoa.” His hand came up. “No. No, you’re not. Not even close. First off, I have a great job.”
“But you bought a house when I moved in with you. We were in an apartment before. That’s more money, right?”
“Is it and it was, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t or can’t afford it. I can afford you and your needs. No problems, no question. We’ve never had this conversation, but maybe we should.”
“You don’t have to explain those things.”
“There are things you should know. You get an allowance. That is from me because you help around the house. You do chores. You need your own money for things.”
“I can babysit. I’d like to earn money.”
“And when you get a little older, we’ll talk about it. At thirteen be a kid. But I get social security for you. From Dad. It’s your money, but you don’t need it nor should you get it at this age. I put every penny of it away for you for your future. Towards a car when you get older. College. Things like that. But if you want, if you think you can manage it well, I don’t see why you can’t get a little bit a year for things like this. Something extra you might want.”
“Really? You’d let me have it? How much?”
He smiled. “We’ll talk later about how much you’ve got, and what you can get when you tell me why or what you’re going to spend it on. It’s about money management. And since you didn’t get a lot of school clothes a few months ago, I’ll give you two hundred dollars today towards things.”
“Wow, thanks, Colson. That’s great.”
“Probably won’t get you much,” he mumbled. He knew what his clothes cost.
But it wasn’t as if he shopped much. He bought when he needed something and made sure the quality got him lots of use.
Teens didn’t always think that way.
“I’ve got a hundred. That’s a lot. I was looking at what I could get for it and I could almost get a whole new wardrobe. I’m good with bargains. Dad said I always had to be.”
“Being a bargain shopper is a great thing. Doesn’t mean it always has to be that way, but when it’s a want and not a need, that’s the best time to get a good deal.”
He turned towards the mall. “I need new gym sneakers too. Mine are pretty old.”
“I don’t remember your gym sneakers.”
Why didn’t he? Why did he just assume they were fine?
Did her feet grow any in the past two years? His didn’t stop growing for years after.
“They are kind of tight. My foot grew some last year, but I don’t wear them much.”
He wanted to bang his head on the steering wheel. “Bella. We have to talk about these things. I just don’t think of it. Or if I do, I don’t want to hurt your feelings. I don’t know. I’m still learning. If there are things you need today, aside from you wanting a few new items, you’ve got me here. We are getting it all done. Everything. New sneakers, a jacket, boots, I don’t know.”
He didn’t want to say bras and underwear, but that had to be done too.
“I do need things.”
He groaned this time. “If you’re embarrassed because they are girl things, you can order stuff online also. I’ll give you my credit card for that.”
It would save them both the embarrassment.
