A bust

They drove around the neighborhood for a few minutes, until they stopped in front a few lower class looking homes; they were all abuzz with working on selling to eager buyers. Margaret was just a bit surprised, not remembering such a large activity occurring in her community, well...ever. Her stepmother seemed to catch her surprised look.

"Everything alright Maggie?" She asked.

"I just, well I never knew this many people came to yard-sales." Margaret said in shock.

"Oh yeah, it's been a common thing well, since forever. More of a flea market then a yard sale, but same difference to all the oldsters that come out. Here, let's get out." Margaret's stepmother said as she parked the car and then headed over to Margaret's car seat. Stepping down in her white dress, Margaret took in the area and enjoyed a slight breeze.

She had separated from her stepmother early on, deciding to head over the literature and learning section of the flea market rather then wherever she was headed. Shocked at the sight in front of her, Margaret raced to the seller.

"1 dollar for each textbook? Are you for real?" She said, slurring her words only minorly. The old man in front of her smiled at the young girl in front of him.

"Yes, my wife recently passed. She wanted me to give away her college books when she died." He said, not seeming to care about revealing such a personal detail.

"Oh. Well. I....I'll buy them." Margaret said, looking at the rows of textbooks. For 20 dollars, you could have what would be worth thousands! Reaching for her wallet, she realized: a.) that she was in a dress with no pockets b.) had no cash at all.

"Wait right there, I'll be right back to buy them!" Margaret said, on a mission to find her stepmother. Where had she departed from the woman? Hm. Likely around the 'Clothing' section.

Ignoring how she felt just a bit like a lost child, Margaret stalked around the flea market, amongst people she knew cared little for college nor learning. It was not her element. She felt leered at. Glared at. It was a relief to find her stepmother, examining a wardrobe and talking with a very attractive middle aged woman.

"Maggie, what's going on? I was just looking at this wardrobe for you." Her stepmother said.

"Oh, thank you." She said, smiling. "I was wondering if I could get some cash, I'd like to-..."

"Lunch? Alright sweetie. Bye bye Joan, I need to take care of my Magster." Her stepmother said, bidding the woman goodbye. "Whew, thank you. I wanted to get away from that bat the minute I started talking with her."

Margaret giggled at her stepmother's comment. "I wanted to buy some stuff, could I bum some cash?" Margaret asked.

"For sure! Here, there's a little food court nearby. You're red in the face. Sit down before you go on a little Maggie quest." Her stepmother said, and Margaret obeyed. Soon, she had a gross combination of a chili cheese dog in front of her, alongside an absurdly large pitcher of tea. Scarfing down the chili dog so she could get back to the old man, Margaret chewed quickly, only to have another placed in front of her.

"You looked starving. Skin and bones won't get you the men." Her stepmother chided, and Margaret consented, even though she was full from the breakfast.

Eventually, she was free of the cramped and humid food court, stuff to her gills with the undercooked meat and overcooked beans, and off on her own. She had 30 dollars to her names, having forgotten to ask for her credit card. She'd pay her stepmother back later.

"Someone bought them all? All of them!?!?" Margaret said to the elderly man.

"Sorry sweetie, I know it's not what you wanted. But he was from the library and promised they'd get some use..." The older man said to the chili cheese stained girl in front of him.

"It's...." Margaret let out a breath. She couldn't be mad. That was the old Maggie. "Alright. I understand...."

"Here, I'm sure if I look through some of the boxes I could find you something...." The old man said.

Margaret threw the backpack onto her bed, exasperated at the events which had transpired. He had found some 'books', which algebra books for an elementary schooler, and then some garbage picture books. Margaret's searches had been a bust.