The old musty dust smells hits me first, then its amazing really. All the mannequins are still dressed covered in a thin white layer of dust like gossamer threads but still there standing some silent vigil.
“wow” the words don’t even carry. I’m too far gone now closing the door I walk around admiring the clothing. It would have been my job to come out and say ‘can I help you?’ There was no one there to do it today and had not been for a while.
I always loved the clothes and the materials Claire used. I never thought to ask for them and for some reason I never wanted any. They weren't meant for me, it wasn't expected either. But Claire after a while always wore her latest creation gathering accolades one after another. My jealousy had burned brightly then. Not so much now.
Except now looking down at my own clothes that had seen better days looking at the mannequin who clearly was better dressed than I was even in its dusty shirt and skirt.
As I touched the collar a soft poof of dust rose up for some unknown reason I laughed. Maybe I expected it to burst into flame either way it felt good to let it out.
What had made me leave again? Looking around I feel it building in my chest that raw aching that was hungry as it felt deprived of sustenance.
My mouth is dry thinking about these things, and wandering around her was making me anxious. I wonder if there is water available.
I passed a mirror and took a look at myself. I can’t remember the last time I looked at a mirror. The image looking back dark brown hair so like my mother, my skin lacked something it looked drawn up wrinkled. But what caught me the most were my eyes. I look like I had not slept in days, instinct made me step closer so I could stare into my own eyes.
They were still blue, a little blood shot, and for some reason I just stood there looking into them. Questions poked their heads up
What did people see when they looked into these eyes?
Can I see past the surface and look into my own soul?
Was I really alive?
I finally looked away still not sure of what I saw there. These kind of questions weren’t always good for the soul I had to stop, I still needed that water.