Chapter twenty

The next weekend Jon decided to take Kris shopping. It was really getting cold now and with those few clothes she had, she would be sick again in less than a week.

“Wanna drive?” Jon asked when they left the house and held the keys out to her.

“Uhm, I don’t have a license.” Kris said.

“You don’t have a license?” Jon was surprised.

“Well, you have to be eighteen in Germany to get your driver license.” She explained.

“Oh, well then I know what we will do the next weekends.” He said smiling. Kris paled slightly. She wasn’t really eager to drive. Somehow she doubted that she could handle a car.

“See, it’s not that difficult.” Jon said when he turned off the ignition in the parking lot of the mall.

Kris nodded. “It’s a good thing that I will not have to change gears.” Jon only laughed.

He led her through the mall and entered a huge store. “They have everything here…winter clothes, summer clothes, shoes…everything.” Kris nodded overwhelmed by the size of the store.

“Where do we start?” she asked unsure.

“Wait a second.” He waved and an older sales woman approached them.

“Jon. Nice to see you again.” She shook his hand.

“Hi Lisa.” He smiled. “This is my daughter Kris.” If the woman was surprised she didn’t show it, but greeted Kris warmly.

“I think we need some help. Actually we need everything….Wait Dot made a list.” Lisa laughed when he searched the pockets of his jacket.

“Ah, here it is.” Kris looked at the list and gasped. “Wow, seems she covered everything.”

“Well, sweetie you need some basics.” Jon said smiling.

“Basics?” She took the list and read out loud.

“Underwear, well ok, bikini, bathing suit, beach dress, beach outfit, Jeans (six), other trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses (elegant too), tops, t-shirts, hoodies, pullovers, turtleneck, blouses…” Kris grimaced. “… light jackets, heavy winter coat, socks, ski underwear, boots, sneakers, flip flops, high heels, for what?, accessories, bags and jewellery…you call that basics?” she asked rather shocked.

“Well, yeah.” Lisa smiled and took the list from her. “How about we start with pullovers over there…” she asked and pointed out one section “…and then work our way to the jeans and other stuff?”

“Sounds good.” Jon said.

“Perfect. What’s your size?” She asked Kris and eyed her up and down.

“An eight or maybe better a six, with this slight build.” Lisa answered her own question and rushed off to show Kris different pullovers. Jon grinned.

“Take a look around Kris, pick what you like.” Jon encouraged his daughter when she wasn’t moving at all. She nodded and walked around the tables and stands of clothes.

Hesitant she picked out a black turtle neck. She bit her bottom lip. She always wanted a black turtle neck. Jon watched her carefully. He hadn’t forget what she said when she arrived I don’t need anything.

“What’s wrong, sweetie?” he asked when she put the turtle neck back.

“Uhm, can’t we go somewhere else?” she asked nervous.

“Why? Don’t you like the stuff here? I saw a lot of kids your age here.” Jon was surprised.

“No, I like it…it’s just…uhm…” she stuttered and fiddled with the price tag. Suddenly it hit him; she was worried about the prices.

“Kris, come here a second.” He pulled her with him to a couch which was placed close to the changing rooms.

“Sweetie, you don’t have to worry about prices, just pick what you like. Ok?” He tried to assure her.

“But with all of the stuff on the list…” Kris started. Jon held up his hands. He sighed. How should he explain it to her?

“Listen, it’s really nice that you don’t take money for granted and believe me I will not spoil you rotten with...I don’t know a new car, mobile phones and shopping trips like this every week, but you need something to wear and it’s not too expensive here.” Kris still didn’t look convinced.

Jon sighed. “Ok, what do you think? How much money do I make when we tour?” Kris shrugged her shoulders. Jon whispered it into her ear and Kris looked at him shocked.

“And that was only the last Tour. The other Tours, Record sales, movies, merchandise…all that goes on top. And even though we bought the house, we still have enough money, sweetie. You don’t have to worry about it. Even when you buy everything here…you wouldn’t be able to spend all the money.”

Kris blushed and bowed her head. “I’m so stupid.” She whispered.

“Aww, sweetie you ain’t.” Jon pulled her in his arms. Shocked he realised that she was sobbing.

“Kris?...Look at me sweetie.” He pushed her back lightly. She wiped away the tears. “Kris, you ain’t stupid. You simply had to save money all your life. It’s only normal that you still wanna do it.” She nodded lightly.

Jon kissed her forehead. “How about we get that black turtle neck and then check out what Lisa already brought into the changing room for you?”

“Ok.” She whispered and stood up.


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Five hours and hundreds of clothes changes later, Kris sank exhausted onto a chair in the food corner of the mall.

She still couldn’t believe what they all bought and she doubt that she’ll ever wear all the different pullovers, shirts and jeans’, but she knew better than to fight with Jon.

“So, what would you like to eat? We need to refill our power, so we can continue.” Jon said.

“Continue?” She looked at him shocked. Didn’t they just spend enough money? She nearly collapsed when she saw how much Jon had to pay, but he didn’t flinch at all.

“Yeah, I thought we check out the guitar store over there.” He pointed at a music store. “You really need a stand for yours.” He said smiling.

“Oh,…ok…but I need a coffee first.” She groaned. Jon laughed.

“Ok, I need one too. What can I get you to eat?” he asked again.

“Pasta?” she asked with a hopeful smile.

He grinned and kissed her head, “That’s my girl.”

They continued their walk through the mall after their lunch and bought a guitar stand, some make-up and a stereo for Kris. Even though Jon really had to fight for it.

“I don’t need a stereo. You have a complete sound system in the house.” Kris tried to tell him.

“You wanna run down all the way to the living room everytime you wanna listen to one of your albums?” Jon asked. Kris sighed deeply.

“I thought so.” Jon said grinning triumphantly and bought the stereo.

On the way back to the car, they came across a store with stuffed animals. Kris grabbed his hand and pulled closer to the huge windows.

“Oh, look…ain’t they cute. They look so real.” Kris was all excited. Jon watched her fascinated. Seems the little girl was still somewhere in there.

“Can we go inside?” she asked with pleading eyes and looking so much like Steph in that moment.

“Sure.” Jon said and she literally dragged him into the store. Walking around, she spotted a small Dolphin and a parrot.

“JON!” she screamed. He spun around thinking something was wrong, but she only showed him the small animals. He shook his head.

“Can we get them for Steph and Jesse?” she waved with the animals in front of his face.

“Sure sweetie. You wanna pick one for you too?” he asked when he took the stuffed animals to the check out. Fortunately they were alone in the store and no one was bothering them, so Kris could stroll through the store slowly.

“Don’t know…they are all so cute.” She squeezed the nose of an oversized horse. Jon smiled. It was just so damn sweet how she was all excited about stuffed animals. He wondered what else she missed as a kid. His expression became sad for a minute when he’d only known about her earlier. We will catch up on everything she missed. Somehow he had to squeeze it in between promotion and the new Tour.

He watched her standing in front of a huge black panther who was sitting on a shelf. Her hands were running through the soft black coat and she couldn’t take her eyes of it. Then she read the price tag and pulled away. Jon sighed. Will she ever understand it?

Kris joined him at the check out. “Did you find something?” he asked. Kris shook her head no, but didn’t look at him. He frowned.

“Sweetie, can you do me a favor and get me another coffee from over there? I need another one before we drive home.” She nodded and walked over to the stand after he handed her some money. Then he turned to the clerk.

“Could you show me the black panther over there, please?”