The park was just across the street from the mall. It was very wet - the greenery, lampposts, benches and trashcans were covered with water and there were puddles on the paths and streets. Apparently, it had rained while the girls were in the mall. Though there were many people, there was plenty of space, so it did not appear as crowded as it was in the mall. And it was not just teenagers and younger kids on holiday. There were also a number of working adults, mainly office workers and retail staff, on lunch break.
The food stalls were gathered to one side of the park, where there was a larger concentration of benches and tables. The first stall sold roasted nuts. Not something Annie would want for her lunch. The next had ice cream and cold drinks. It was a cold day with a light breeze, so that stall had less business that day. The coffee cart after that had way more customers.
The girls joined the queue for the hot-dog stand. The queue was long. It was going to be quite a wait. First, there was that big fat guy who looked like he could eat all four that he bought. Then there was that mother who bought food for a whole group of kids and another mother. And it appeared that each hot dog had to be of a different size and/or topping - amazing that the woman could remember all!
Eventually, Annie arrived at the head of the line. Starvation would not claim her that day.
"Just a regular with everything," Annie told the man behind the hot-dog stand, "Hold anything spicy."
"Regular with the works, no chili," the vendor repeated. The man adjusted his cap before he started putting the hot dog together.
"Even raw onions, Annie?" Connie asked from behind her.
"Yes, even raw onions." Annie turned to her friend. "You're not planning to breathe my breath, are you?"
"Hey, make mine just chili and cheese," Connie told her.
"Aren't you supposed to tell him?" Annie asked as she gestured towards the vendor.
"But you're buying, aren't you?"
"No, I'm not," Annie told her straight.
"Pretty, please?" Connie batted her eyelashes.
"Fluttering your eyes won't work on me," Annie said, "I'm not a guy to fall for that."
"Pretty, please?" Connie tried it on the vendor.
The vendor laughed. "No," he then said firmly.
Connie gave a cute little sigh as she pulled her purse out of her bag. She placed her order after Annie had paid for her food. Sabine, Annie noted, ordered a jumbo-sized hot dog.
"Sorry about that earlier, Annie," Connie apologized as she brushed the water off a bench with a tissue, "You usually pay for everyone."
"Really?" Annie asked doubtfully, glancing to Sabine.
Sabine simply nodded as she bit into her food.
"I hope you're not too disappointed," Annie said as she sat with Connie on the bench.
"Oh, I'm crushed," Connie said with mock misery, holding the back of her hand to her forehead. "You don't love me anymore."
Sabine shook her head slowly as she joined her friends on the bench.
***
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