The thrift store smelled like old incense and heavy 1920's perfume. It filled my nose and I inhaled, liking the strange scent.
The old woman at the counter croaked, "Can I help you, sweetheart?"
"Oh, no thanks." I gave her a smile and continued searching the racks of clothing.
About half an hour later, I'd found a short red dress, two sarongs, an interesting sequined purse, and a funky pair of jeans with a huge Marilyn Monroe on one leg. (All within my budget of fifty dollars, thankyouverymuch.) I was about to take my clothing up to the counter and pay when something caught my eye. It was hidden behind a hideous puce colored suit and it was very faded, but something...something about this dress was special. "How much is that?" I asked the woman, pointing towards the white dress.
"Oh, I'd give it to your for thirty." She muttered, smushing her cigarette into the Elvis ashtray. "Want it?"
Impulsively, I blurted, "I'll take it."
"No one's ever even touched this thing." She said as she removed it from the hanger and placed it in my bag. "But there's something about it...when you try it on, you'll see." Cryptically she smiled and watched with those watery green eyes as I left her shop, eager to try on the white gown.
It looked strangely familiar as I laid it down on my bed and stared at it for a few moments. Tenderly, I let my fingertips graze the old satin and took in the design. The gown was white, strapless, with a thin, molten gold edging on the bodice. It smelled like must, yet within the fragile folds, I could smell a musky vanilla rose scent. I wondered who had worn this dress, what it had meant to that person, and what it's history was. Letting my curiosity take over me, I slipped it on.
Suddenly, I was filled with an ominous sensation. All I could hear, all I could feel, was a voice.
"She is mine."
TO BE CONTINUED...* Twilight Zone music *
The old woman at the counter croaked, "Can I help you, sweetheart?"
"Oh, no thanks." I gave her a smile and continued searching the racks of clothing.
About half an hour later, I'd found a short red dress, two sarongs, an interesting sequined purse, and a funky pair of jeans with a huge Marilyn Monroe on one leg. (All within my budget of fifty dollars, thankyouverymuch.) I was about to take my clothing up to the counter and pay when something caught my eye. It was hidden behind a hideous puce colored suit and it was very faded, but something...something about this dress was special. "How much is that?" I asked the woman, pointing towards the white dress.
"Oh, I'd give it to your for thirty." She muttered, smushing her cigarette into the Elvis ashtray. "Want it?"
Impulsively, I blurted, "I'll take it."
"No one's ever even touched this thing." She said as she removed it from the hanger and placed it in my bag. "But there's something about it...when you try it on, you'll see." Cryptically she smiled and watched with those watery green eyes as I left her shop, eager to try on the white gown.
It looked strangely familiar as I laid it down on my bed and stared at it for a few moments. Tenderly, I let my fingertips graze the old satin and took in the design. The gown was white, strapless, with a thin, molten gold edging on the bodice. It smelled like must, yet within the fragile folds, I could smell a musky vanilla rose scent. I wondered who had worn this dress, what it had meant to that person, and what it's history was. Letting my curiosity take over me, I slipped it on.
Suddenly, I was filled with an ominous sensation. All I could hear, all I could feel, was a voice.
"She is mine."
TO BE CONTINUED...* Twilight Zone music *