(part two)
As 'the shopper' slowly walked along, was she actually wealthy but cautious about what she purchased? Or was it that as she looked at the beautiful items for sale, was she imagining owning them? But in reality she was poor, and the outfits she did wear would allow her to act out the part of being someone else.
The business woman then thought about the obvious effort that the older woman would put in to her appearance. Because it would be a certainty that this woman, as she walked slowly along, would catch the eye of an occasional gentlemen as he glanced her way from across the street.
So was that why she would pause and linger at a shop window, to use the reflection and slyly look to see who was looking at her? The owner herself was momentarily jealous if that was actually the case.
Then a sadder thought crossed the shop owner’s mind. What if the women in her loneliness, looked at her own reflection and in a fantasy only saw her younger self? But then trapped in that, continued to live delusional moments of a dream reflection.
A few days later the business women again saw the two companions slowly walking along. This time the shopper was dressed in what looked to be designer pants, creamy white with gold thread accents. Her blouse was yellow with a small collar and sleeves that closed tightly at the cuff. And with a short-cropped vest of similar accent her outfit was completed with a yellow and white polka dot scarf. Her hair again immaculate, with what looked to be retro style sunglasses tucked up high.
The shop owner was stunned. Because she could tell straight away the outfit was tailored and seemed to be from a house of couture. How could that be?
This time instead of asking the usual shop keeper enquiry the owner walked out, and in a genuine expression of admiration, complimented the woman on her stunning outfit. The shopper shyly appreciated the attention and they began talking about the outfit and fashion influences it incorporated.
And the truth came out.
Each outfit she had been seen in was indeed an original, but by her own hand as she had once been and was still, a skilled seamstress. But the modern homogenous world of off the rack fashion had passed over her talent some time ago. However, recently she decided ‘what the hell’, and returned to doing what she loved, just for her own pleasure.
The shop owner turned and excused herself from her staff, and walked with the woman on to the next shop where she knew the owner. The three talked, and then they moved on up the street to another shop where she knew the owner, and on again. Each time introducing this 'lady of genius' as she called her.
And so began a lasting friendship that continued until the older women’s passing only a few years later. Yet from that first moment and for the time that was left, life changed for both. A light came into both their lives and others as well. A joy that was from one who still wanted the world to see her and the other who just grabbed a little moment to say hello, took notice, and from then saw the world differently.
(Copyright Kevin Palmer 2022, All Rights Reserved)