Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Black (10/15/09)
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TITLE: That Little Black Dress | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gini Branch
10/21/09 -
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She rolled over in bed and pulled the covers over her face. No sunshine would enter her life today. Or any other day from now on. Three weeks ago they told her about her father, the three weeks it took her father to die from pancreatic cancer. She’d idolized him, prayed for him, cried for him. Nothing helped. Today she’d slip into that little black dress and sit beside her mother and older sister in the front pew at St Benedict’s Cathedral for the final farewell. Her mind was made up. She’d mourn him for the rest of her life. That was three decades ago.
Kate turned and checked her dress in the mirror. The hem hung where she’d caught her high heel in it the last time she’d worn it.
“Wouldn’t you know it.” she said and reached for a piece of tape. “That ought to hold it until tomorrow.”
“What’d you say?” A male voice called to her.
“Nothing.”
“Oh, I thought you’d said something to me. My ears must be going. They say that’s the first thing. Or is it the second?” Miles poked his head around the corner of the door. “Ah, that’s quite a position. Like to see what’s-her-name from the Olympics do that.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Kate straightened up and tugged at the dress. She hated that dress, all black dresses in fact, but the social event called for it and she’d agreed to go with Miles.
“You look great, Babe.” Miles said. “Why the face?”
“What face?”
“The one I just saw when you looked up. Like someone died or something. We’re going to a party, not a funeral.” Miles stuck his shoed foot under the automatic buffer. The furry cloth spun furiously for a moment and stopped. “Love this little gizmo.”
“Party, funeral. Not a lot of difference. Everyone acting like it’s such a great time.”
“What’s eating you? Bad day at the store or what?” Miles took her by the shoulders and looked Kate in the eye. “C’mon. Get it off your chest. We gotta look the part for the boss’ boss tonight.”
“It’s nothing. I’ll give them a good show.” Kate pushed through his arms and left the room.
“Mrs. Markum. What a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you and your shop. Jim and I must stop by and see it soon. Maybe on the next trip.” Helen leaned forward and air-kissed Kate’s cheek.
“I’d be delighted to show you around. I understand you have a business of your own.”
“Why, yes. I do have a small gallery that I sponsor for young artists. Gives them a place to show and me a way to stay in touch with the younger generation. Especially since our son has married and moved off to Oregon.”
“That’s got to be exciting.” Kate said trying to extricate herself and move on to the other side of the room. She’d done her required meet and greet. On the way she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror that hung above the buffet. The image stabbed at her. She ducked her head and hurried on toward her destination.
“Well, we made through the evening’s festivities without too much damage, my dear. I enjoyed it. How about you?” Miles said as he turned onto the main road toward home.
“Helen was an interesting woman. How often do they come to town?”. Kate sighed. “I invited by the shop for a tour which I hope she forgets.”
“Not often, and she probably will.” Miles parked the car at the curb. “Want to find a coffee house instead of calling it a night so soon?”
“Thanks. No, I’d rather get into something more comfortable and read for a while.”
“Well, don’t say I didn’t offer.”
Miles jerked the keys from the ignition. Kate headed for the door her keys in hand. The motion detector flipped on the yard light. Miles watched her from the car. She looked like a specter floating across the lawn.
Kate turned off her bedside light and pulled the covers up around her face. The little black dress lay in a heap on the floor. She had decided to find a new black dress.
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You did a wonderful job at portraying the blackness of her mood and of her soul. Hope her long-suffering husband can pull her out of it. Love that last spectral image, too.