Shopping for father.(Story)(Short Story)

"Well, I'm finally getting him into church," Mum says as she puts her arm around me. "He needs a shirt and a tie. I looked through his wardrobe and he doesn't have anything suitable. He does have a black suit which will be fine."

Despite three kids my parents had never married. Mum always said it never mattered, "that piece of paper". But she also repeatedly instructed us not to tell anybody that Mum and Dad weren't married, so I think it did matter.

All good things come to those that wait, they say.

I park my car near the station and catch the train to the city. At Town Hall I join the converging crowd making their way to the turnstiles. An inspector in a uniform watches us closely.

Whenever I come to the city, no matter what is the season, I always buy an ice-cream. It's always what I do first.

"A sundae in a waffle please, with three scoops, um ... strawberry delight, hazel-nutchip and chocolate fudge. And a topping of cream, caramel and a sprinkling of hundreds and thousands. Oh, and a little bit of nuts too, please."

I scoop and savour each mouthful. A skeletal-looking woman stares at me critically. Yeah, yeah, so I'm a bit overweight. It doesn't mean I have to completely deprive myself of the things I love. I look better then you anyway, scrawny creature.