Spring Time

Winter has finally passed, and now the off-season has come. The snow that covered the city had also slowly faded and the city was finally illuminated by the warmth of the sun.

At the same time, Amanda's womb was getting bigger and she was approaching her due date. It was only a few weeks away.

Amanda decided to go downtown to buy baby supplies for the birth of her son. She asked Camille to accompany her, because she knew Camille had already given birth to two children. She was sure she would understand something like this.

"Of course! I'll be happy to accompany you there. It's not good for a woman with a large belly to go alone," Camille said.

The two agreed to leave that day by bus.

When they arrived at the city center, they went to a place that specializes in selling baby supplies. Starting from baby crib, and other toys.

Upon entering, Amanda was immediately spoiled with various types of baby crib that looked good. She felt confused about which one to choose, like she wanted to buy them all.

'But... They must be very expensive. I have to find a crib that is strong and durable, at least until he is one to two years old...' Amanda thought.

"So is there anything that interests you, Amanda?" asked Camille.

"Hmn... They're all good. But I want something strong and not too expensive." Amanda replied.

Camille wandered around among the many baby crib and found one that looked good with white paint. She called Amanda over to take a look, and she was intrigued.

The baby box was painted white and looked very sturdy. There were three drawers on the side where you could put some baby items. Although it was plain and not like other baby baskets full of decorations and ornaments. Amanda thought this was enough. After all, she was only using it for her son.

"Hello, how may I help you?" a woman from the store asked.

"Oh... I'm interested in this baby box. How much is it?" Amanda asked.

"You're a new mom, right? This box costs $258," replied the employee.

Hearing the price, Amanda was a bit surprised because it was already quite expensive to buy a plain baby box. What about an ornate one?

In the midst of her confusion, Camille came forward and spoke to the employee.

"$258 just for a bassinet like this? No, no, no. I'm sure it's only $190," Camille said.

"For $190, of course you can't get this one. It's good quality and expensive. The $258 price is already a bargain for this one," explained the lady employee.

"Is that so? Then let's go to another store, Amanda. The store here is so expensive, it's not worth it." Camille turned around and pulled Amanda's hand.

The brunette woman wondered why Camille said her baby crib was cheaper than the price said. But she just followed Camille pulling her hand. Until, that is, the female employee called them back.

"Okay... How about $240? We've lowered it quite a bit,"

"$200 we bought," Camille said.

"Mnn... That's too low, ma'am. How about $235?" the employee asked again.

"$200 is what we want. If we don't get it, we'll just leave." Camille pulled Amanda's hand again.

Seeing them about to leave the store, the clerk finally agreed to Camille's request. She asked Amanda to write down her full home address to send the baby box.

Amanda was a bit surprised at first. They got a $58 deduction, of course it was a big number. But because she managed to get the baby box she wanted, she felt happy and immediately wrote down her data and paid for the baby box.

As she left the store, Amanda asked why Camille had bid so low.

"They lied about the price of the baby basket they were selling. Do you remember the question that asked if you were a new mom? They deliberately raised the price because you didn't know the real price," Camille explained.

"I see. Thank you, Camille. I almost agreed to the original price. Now my $58 is safe and I can buy something else," Amanda said.

"That's what I came with you for. Now what do you want to buy?"

Amanda took Camille to another shop, buying clothes for her son. Just like in the previous shop, Amanda was bewitched by the nice-looking baby clothes.

However, Camille reminded her to buy clothes for the newborn first. For everything else, Amanda could wait for her son's development.

"Worried that the clothes will be too big or too small if you buy them now. So you buy the newborn ones first," Camille said.

"I see. Okay then, what should I buy?"

Camille showed Amanda what clothes she needed to buy. Such as pants, undershirts, shirts and others.

The woman nodded in understanding and chose a shirt with a pattern suitable for boys. She also chose blue because it was the color she liked.

While choosing clothes, she overheard a conversation between a couple who were choosing clothes for their child.

"This one is so cute, I like it. What do you think, dear?" the wife asked her husband who was holding their little daughter.

"I think it will suit Bella. I'm sure Bella will be very pretty in it, won't she?" The husband kissed his daughter on the cheek.

The toddler named Bella smiled happily and patted her hand. The three of them seemed to really enjoy their shopping time.

Amanda watched silently for a moment, wondering if William would do the same for their son.

"This shirt looks good, doesn't it? It's perfect for our son..." Amanda said showing it to William.

"Yes, he will be as handsome as me when he wears it."

"Humn? Our son is much more handsome than his father." Amanda teased.

William who heard that immediately turned their son's body to face him. "Not really, he's as handsome as me. He'll also be a genius like me, right?"

He pressed his nose against his son's until the toddler laughed against his father's face.

"You little..." Amanda chuckled at the sight of the two of them.

But then she realized, that would never happen to her. William would never know about their son. She wasn't sure he would accept it either.

Amanda's eyes dropped, her chest felt so tight. She had always envisioned a beautiful dream, having a happy family with the man she loved so much.

But in reality she had to do everything alone.

'What did I expect? I'm fantasizing too much about something I shouldn't be doing...' she thought.

"Amanda?" Camille came over and touched Amanda's shoulder.

She turned around with a sad face. Camille understood what Amanda was feeling at that moment because she kept looking at the couple.

"Come on. Let's pay for the clothes you picked out and then we'll go home." she said.

"Yes, I'm a bit tired of walking..." Amanda replied and they left and paid for the clothes they had chosen.

*****

When they got back to District 36, they went straight back home. Amanda thanked Camille for accompanying her to buy things for the baby.

"That's not a problem! I'm glad I could help you. You remember we're like family, right? There's no need to hesitate to ask me for help," Camille said.

"Thank you very much. Oh yeah... Here's my payment for this month." Amanda took out an envelope containing money to pay Camille the rent for the month.

However, when Amanda gave it to Camille, the middle-aged woman refused it. She returned the money to Amanda.

"You must need it for your childbirth expenses. You're going to give birth soon, aren't you? Keep the money for that," Camille said with a gentle smile.

"But this is your money. I've rented your house for me to live in, I have to pay for it."

"Amanda... The cost of giving birth is not small. You need it more now. For this month and next month, you can save your money. But next month you can pay me again..." Camille explained holding Amanda's hand.

The woman felt bad for Camille, but Camille continued to refuse. In the end Amanda kept the money back.

"Then go in and rest. I'm sure you still need to calm your mind."

"Yes... Thank you. Then I'll see you soon." Amanda turned around and went inside her house.

Camille kept her eyes on Amanda's door. She sighed softly, she understood how hard it was to let go of someone you love so much. The shadow of that person would haunt her forever.

"You will learn, there comes a time when you have to accept it instead of trying to erase your memories of it."