Amelia and Grocery Shopping

Chapter Ten: Spark Goes Grocery Shopping

After the chaotic church day, Mom decided Monday morning was the perfect time to catch up on errands, starting with grocery shopping. The kids had school, Dad was home writing his “masterpiece,” and she wanted a break from glitter explosions and pillow fort disasters.

But Spark had other ideas.

“Amelia Jean,” Spark said as the family gathered for breakfast, “I’ve decided we should expand our culinary horizons. A unicorn’s palate demands the finest in mortal cuisine.”

“What are you even talking about?” Amelia asked, spooning cereal into her bowl.

Spark tossed her shimmering mane. “Grocery shopping. I want to come along.”

“No way,” Amelia said immediately. “Mom will never let you.”

“Never let who what?” Mom asked, walking into the kitchen with her coffee.

Amelia froze. “Uh, Spark wants to go grocery shopping.”

Mom gave Spark a hard look. “Only if you promise—PROMISE—not to cause any trouble.”

Spark shrank herself down to hamster size and perched on the edge of the cereal box. “I am the picture of restraint.”

“That’s what you said at church,” Mom said flatly.

“Exactly!” Spark replied, beaming.

“That wasn’t a compliment,” Mom muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Fine. You can come. But if you so much as look at the glitter aisle, you’re banned for life.”

Spark saluted. “Understood!”

The Grocery Store Adventure Begins

The grocery store was packed, which didn’t help Mom’s patience. She handed Amelia the shopping list and grabbed a cart.

“Okay,” Mom said. “We’re in and out. No distractions.”

Amelia nodded. “Got it.”

“Roger,” Spark added, already climbing into the cart like it was a throne.

Amelia groaned. “Spark, get out of there!”

“Absolutely not,” Spark replied, stretching out like a queen. “I’m supervising.”

Mom shot Spark a warning glare but didn’t argue.

The Produce Aisle Drama

Things were going well until they reached the produce aisle. Spark decided the apples were too boring and zapped one with her horn, turning it bright purple with shimmering polka dots.

“Spark!” Amelia whispered harshly. “What are you doing?”

“Improving the aesthetic,” Spark said proudly.

Mom noticed immediately. “Why is this apple glowing?”

Amelia grabbed the fruit and shoved it into a bag. “Uh, it’s organic?”

Mom narrowed her eyes. “Spark, no magic.”

“Fine,” Spark muttered, pouting.

The Snack Aisle Showdown

The real trouble began in the snack aisle. Spark climbed onto the shelf, surveying the options like a connoisseur.

“These chips lack pizzazz,” she declared, zapping one bag with her horn. It immediately sprouted glitter-covered wings and began flapping around the aisle.

Mom turned just in time to see Amelia trying to wrestle the bag out of the air.

“What is going on?” Mom asked, her voice dangerously calm.

“Uh, nothing!” Amelia said, yanking the now-still bag off the shelf. “We’re good!”

Mom sighed. “Spark, I swear—”

“It was an accident!” Spark said innocently.

“Sure it was,” Mom muttered, pushing the cart faster.

The Checkout Line Catastrophe

By the time they reached the checkout line, Amelia was convinced they were almost home free. But Spark, being Spark, couldn’t resist one final stunt.

As the cashier scanned the items, Spark whispered to Amelia, “Watch this.”

Before Amelia could stop her, Spark zapped the receipt printer. It began spitting out foot-long receipts covered in rainbow sparkles.

The cashier blinked, holding up the glittering slip of paper. “Uh… is this normal?”

Mom turned slowly, her eyes locking on Spark. “What. Did. You. Do?”

“Enhancement!” Spark said cheerfully.

Mom took a deep breath, visibly restraining herself. “Amelia, take Spark to the car. Now.”

Amelia grabbed Spark by the mane, muttering, “You’re impossible.”

“I’m delightful,” Spark corrected as they exited the store.

The Ride Home

The drive home was quiet—too quiet. Spark, now perched on the dashboard, stared out the window like a guilty cat.

“I think that went well,” Spark said eventually.

Amelia snorted. “How do you figure?”

“No major explosions, no portals, and we didn’t get banned. Success!”

Mom sighed from the driver’s seat. “Barely.”

Back at Home

Once they unloaded the groceries, Mom flopped onto the couch with her coffee, clearly exhausted.

Dad peeked out from his writing corner. “How’d it go?”

Mom glared at him. “Let’s just say Spark’s not coming grocery shopping again.”

Dad grinned, jotting something in his notebook. “Great material for the book.”

“You’re lucky I love you,” Mom muttered, sipping her coffee.

Amelia, sitting at the kitchen table, shook her head at Spark. “You seriously can’t go five minutes without causing chaos, can you?”

“Chaos,” Spark said smugly, “is part of my charm.”

Amelia couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And you,” Spark said with a wink, “are my favorite mortal shopping partner.”

The End (until Spark’s next errand…)

Disclosure: These prose were written with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4o.