“Would you like to try some of this lotion? It is made with salt from the Dead Sea” Aaron shook his head no and dropped his eyes to avoid making any eye contact with the sales lady at the mall kiosk. His friend Kevin on the other hand, gave her a smile but still continued walking past the sales pitch.

“Dude; why don’t you try to enjoy yourself?” Kevin asked when he caught back up to Aaron “If we’re here to pass the day, you might as well flirt your way through the mall”

Aaron chuckled at his friends’ suggestion “I’m here because the air conditioning in our apartment is out and I’d rather hang out at the mall instead of stick to the couch”

“Suit yourself; but it’s going to be a long day. We might as well hit on the lotion lady back there; I can only get so many free samples from Charley’s steaks and Hunan Panda before they kick me out” Kevin said as they wandered down the mall.

“Next thing I know, you’ll get us kicked out of here for hanging around and being creepy for too long in Victoria’s Secret” Aaron added.

Kevin just laughed and glanced at his phone and the text message it displayed.

“Since you keep talking about picking up any woman with a pulse today; how are things going between you and Kristi?” Aaron asked.

“It’s fine; it’s fine” Kevin responded as he put his phone back away. “I’m just joking around you know…trying to pass the time. Maybe we should go see if we can theater hop for the rest of the day”

“I thought about that” Aaron admitted. “I’d like to see that new biopic…”

“Biopic…boring pic you mean; Avengers 2 is out” Kevin finished.

As the two swung out wide to pass an old couple who were walking slowly down the floor, they found themselves in a new maze of center of the mall kiosks and booths. They swung past Verizon, around the local clothing outfitter and ducked below a swooping remote controlled helicopter only to find themselves in front of a simple booth stating “Problems Solved”

Aaron cocked his head at the simple purple sign while Kevin gave a slight chuckle as he realized that they were squarely in front of this particular booth. It was manned by a smiling lady with long blond hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. “Hello gentlemen…got any problems you need solved today?”

Aaron laughed “Do you fix air conditioning for really low prices so our cheapskate landlord would hire you?”

The lady laughed “No; I’m sorry but air conditioning is not one of my problem solving skills I’m afraid” She looked over at Kevin “Maybe you have a problem I can help with”

Kevin looked around quickly “No: No problems here…just bored and talking about what movie to see”

“Are you sure?” the lady asked.

“Yeah I’m sure…” Kevin replied.

“Since you two are just out killing time, why don’t you have a seat?”

“Look; I’m pretty broke and I really don’t want to waste your time. I’m not going to buy anything” Aaron started but the lady brought her hand up.

“I never said anything about paying me anything…I’m just here to help if I can with any problem you might have. Take a seat” she motioned to the two empty chairs on her side of the booth.

“I don’t really think” Kevin said as his phone began to go off. “Uh…I have to take this man…just give me a minute” Kevin quickly hurried off to the far side of the mall where he wedged himself in by a potted plant out of the way.

Aaron was pissed that his friend had ditched him with this lady. He sighed and made his way around the booth and took a seat. “So; problem solver huh” the lady nodded and smiled “So how’s business?”

The lady eased back in her seat “It’s always interesting work. I just get to talk to people and help them out a bit in my own small way. So tell me Aaron…” she gazed deep into his eyes “What really worries you”

Aaron didn’t remember offering up his name but he thought that he must have. He also thought that for whatever reason, he felt comfortable and since no one else was around, he might as well have a little conversation with this lady…

“…and I mean it’s silly to say it but I’d really just like someone to take care of me” Aaron was wrapping up. He had rambled for several minutes while Kevin continued his phone conversation a ways off.

The lady smiled as she listened to Aaron talk “I think I know exactly what he needs” she thought to herself. Her hand began to rise and with her fingers splayed out in front of her, she was just about to make a gesture to give Aaron some of her special brand of help, when she heard the tail end of Kevin’s conversation. She dropped her hand and began to listen to both men simultaneously.

“…No Kristi; I’m sorry but no.”

“No I didn’t; I left that up to you so it’s your fault. It’s your damned fault”

“I don’t want this at all. I’ve been saying that since you told me. I told you I’d help… I’ll drive you there and pay for…Oh no you shut up”

“Then fine…whatever bitch….I’m out; good luck and good bye. You don’t want to do what I think and I am not throwing my life away so I’ve got nothing to do with you from now on…”

The lady at the booth adjusted herself in her seat. She rounded her shoulders and shifted her weight and gave her shorts a slight tug. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kevin replacing his phone in his pocket and staring up at the ceiling and letting out a long hard sigh. He began to walk towards her and his friend and she was ready for him.

“Come on man, let’s go…I gotta take a walk” Kevin said tapping Aaron on the shoulder.

“Don’t you think I can help you with any of your problems Kevin?” she asked him, looking him in the eye.

“No. No you can’t…come on man; get up, let’s get out of here” Kevin was basically lifting Aaron out of his seat.

“I think you need to sit down Kevin” the lady said in a very calming tone.

Kevin flashed an annoyed and mean look towards the lady and began “I think you should shut your…” he trailed off as he looked into her eyes “Uh…I mean…”

“Have a seat, Kevin. It seems like you have a problem and maybe I can help with it”

Kevin didn’t know why, but he began to ease himself down into the chair. By the time he sat down, he felt somewhat ashamed of his behavior in brushing off this lady’s offer to help. Kevin took a deep breath and sighed; “I don’t know how to even start…”

“It’s okay; I know where to start” the lady said as she raised her hand.

Kevin felt a slight twinge in his neck so he gave it a full crank to loosen it up.
 
“Well, uh” Kevin began as he scratched his cheek. As his fingers moved over them, the hairs on his cheek began to retract beneath them. While Kevin searched for the right words to begin his story, he ran his hand downward and stroked his perfectly smooth chin.

“Like I said…I don’t know where to start” and he suddenly became self-conscious and made sure that he brought his knees together in a more modest sitting pose and he brought his hands up and ran them over his ears to push his hair back behind them. He allowed his fingers to linger and tug at his lengthening hair. Kevin’s short hair was now growing long and luxurious. It darkened slightly to a rich chestnut brown as it began to cascade over his shoulders and down his back and front. Kevin cleared his throat and began to giggle slightly as he saw how intently the lady across from him was looking back at him.

“Do I have something in my teeth?” he asked and bared his teeth as they changed shape and became smaller behind changing lips that drew outward and puffed up slightly. His eyes widened and appeared almost doe like as they changed from blue to brown in the blink of an eye.

“Do I have a booger hanging out of my nose?” he asked in a voice that had risen in pitch as he gave his shrinking nose a slight pinch. He laughed a nervous laugh and said “Where was I again?”

“You were just getting started really” the lady said as Kevin began to shrink smaller and smaller in his seat. Kevin was dropping in height from 6’2” to 5’4”.

He shifted his weight nervously and readjusted himself as his shoulders rounded off and his arms began to thin. “Well it’s my girlfriend; that’s my problem” he began. “She got herself in some trouble…I mean she’s pregnant” Kevin looked down. He nervously began to pick at the red polish on his nails. As he poked at his cuticles, he thought “I need to repaint my nails…they look like crap”

Kevin looked up to the lady’s eyes once more. A slight look of discomfort crossed his pretty face and he crinkled his smooth brow. He brought his shoulders in slightly as breasts began to form as he continued to talk. As the words flowed from him, his chest began to rise. He dropped his shoulders as a bra appeared to take the weight off his chest. He quickly filled out his 36D bra as his dark green t-shirt changed from a shapeless men’s style to a more form fitting ladies style.

Kevin shifted in his seat once more as his hips began to move outward and his ass began to expand. He lifted himself off the chair and tried to be discreet about the wedgie that had worked its way in with his panties and shorter shorts.  “Like I said…I can’t believe my boyfriend…” Kevin sniffed slightly as his emotions built up in him.

Kevin’s legs had already gotten shorter, but now they became fuller and rounder. His thighs filled in and his calves shaped up under his tight tan shorts. Finally, his feet shrank down dramatically and even his sneakers changed into a pair of brown sandals.

With a final finger waggle, Katie felt her stomach tighten. Her shorts loosened around her waist to accommodate her final change and her shirt went up a size as her belly began to expand outward.

“I mean, how can he just walk away and leave me pregnant and take no responsibility for it or for me or for himself” Katie said to the lady who she hoped could help her with her problem. “I’m five months now and I have nobody”

“But that’s why you stopped at my booth today Katie” the lady said with a reassuring smile. “I’m sure everything will work out in the end”

Katie smiled and stood up to her full height of 5’4”. She tugged on her shirt to make sure it was pulled down and covering her baby bump.

Aaron too stood and said “Come on Katie…let’s go see when the movies start”

They both got up and left the booth and started walking towards the theaters.

“That was odd” Katie said.

“I know…I don’t even know what a problem solver booth would do and how can you make any money at it” Aaron said.

“Maybe it’s a non-profit thing…like a community service booth” Katie said. “Let’s get some more free samples in the food court before we check the times”

Aaron laughed “That’s just like you” he said.

When they got to the food court, Aaron put his hand on Katie’s shoulder. “Instead of making our laps and getting dirty looks from the sample guys, why don’t I just buy you lunch?”

Katie smiled and looked up “Aw…thanks”

They headed for Sbarro’s and each got some pizza.

They sat across from each other as they ate and talked about their favorite TV show.

“You think the A/C will be back on tonight?” Katie asked.

“I can only hope so” Aaron replied as he gathered up her trash to take it to the can for her.

“I mean…it sucks being pregnant in the heat. I think I can hear my ankles swelling from here” Katie said as she worked to get out of the booth.

Aaron hustled back and offered his hand to help her up. Katie gladly took it to boost herself up and as they walked out of the food court, their hands remained clasped together.

“So what movie did you want?” Aaron asked Katie as the stood before the playlist.

“You know we both agreed on seeing Avengers” Katie replied and nudged him in the ribs playfully.

After Aaron bought their tickets and popcorn and drinks, they settled in next to each other in their seats.

As the movie started, Katie brought her legs up and curled into the seat. She leaned her head over and rested it on Aaron’s shoulder. Aaron stroked her hair and they mindlessly entwined their fingers together on the armrest.

When the movie ended, Katie stood up and stretched out her back. With her right hand planted on the small of her back, she arched back. As she did, Aaron asked “Did you two enjoy the movie?” as he gathered up the empty containers.

“Yeah…that was fun” Katie replied as she took to the stairs to head out. Aaron held the door for her as they hit the cruel bright lights of the main concourse of the mall again.

Katie and Aaron stopped to let their eyes adjust to the light. Aaron looked over at Katie and cocked his head. “What is it?” Katie asked.

Aaron just stared at her for a moment “I don’t know Katie” he said “I can’t quite put my finger on it but I just got this weird feeling all of a sudden”

“Like what?”

“Like” he paused “I don’t know what it is…it’s like we came here this morning to get out of the heat and it just seems like I’m forgetting something you know”

Katie smiled. “I do know. I have this weird feeling too but I can’t place it either. It’s like I should be bothered by something or upset, but as the day goes on…I’m just not that worried right now” she finished with a shrug of her shoulders.

Aaron smiled, something still gnawed away at the back of his mind but as he looked down into Katie’s big brown eyes, he just shook his head “I guess it’s nothing”

Katie stretched up on her tip toes and planted a kiss on Aaron’s lips. “Don’t worry about it…”

Katie dropped back down and waved to an approaching figure “Oh hey Kristi…how are you doing?”

The tall blond girl stopped in her tracks and smiled “Oh hey Katie…hey Aaron; I’m good, how are you doing?”

“I’m good” Katie replied.

“How’s it coming with the baby?” Kristi asked.

“It’s coming right along whether we like it or not” Katie replied and tapped her stomach. “I haven’t seen you in a while; are you seeing anybody?”

Kristi stopped as she was beginning to say Kevin, but that wasn’t right, she didn’t even know anyone named Kevin. With a slightly confused look she responded “No…I’m not dating anyone right now; why? Do you know someone?”

They made small talk for a few more minutes before Katie and Aaron walked off.

Kristi stood there for a few more minutes. She thought she had come out to the mall to find her boyfriend Kevin and confront him about what they were going to do about her pregnancy, but as she stood there she thought “I don’t know anyone named Kevin and I’m sure not pregnant…” before the thoughts all passed from her mind and she headed for Macy’s to get a new blouse.

“It was nice seeing Kristi again” Katie mentioned to Aaron as they entered the maternity clothing store.

“Yeah, I haven’t seen her in months” Aaron agreed as Katie began to browse the racks.
“I’m not going to be able to get away with wearing my own clothes for very much longer…” Katie said as she held up a maternity shirt.

Aaron just smiled “I told you to pick out whatever you like…we’ll get some things this week and then we can come back next weekend after we both get paid again and get a few more things for you”

Katie smiled anew “I’m just glad we have the furniture bought and ready to go”

“So are we going to Target next to work on your registry?” Aaron asked “Your sister said she wants to get the shower invites out”

“We can do that” Katie said as she headed to the changing room to try on a few shirts.

As Aaron carried the bags down the concourse, they passed a booth that read “Problems Solved” Katie smiled at the blond haired lady that was manning the booth. The lady smiled in return and gave them a slight wave as they passed on by and headed for their car.

“Nice work today Emmi” she said to herself as she watched the happy couple walk by her booth. “…and to think; I was about to make Aaron…Erin…good thing I held off a minute. I think Aaron and Katie will be much better off than Kevin and Erin”

The Ebil Witch Lady began to fold up the purple tablecloth that covered her booth. “Time to go home for the night…”