Author Anon

“Michael, have you seen Nicholas recently?” asks Ashley.

“I haven’t talked to him in a while, why?”

“Oh. Just considering how good friends you are, I thought you might give me some pointers.”

“Ashley, I don’t think he’s your type.”

“What is my type, Michael?”

“Someone who is looking for just another one night stand.”

“Are you saying Nicholas wants to settle down?”

“I know he’s considering it. Especially someone who can take care of his domestic needs. Right now, you don’t qualify. Perhaps, I should say you’re not his type. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m busy.”

“What are you rushing around for?”

“Amanda and I are going up to Shimmering Mountain this weekend.”

“That will be interesting.”

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“Oh, Mom. What a tiring day!” says Leslie. “Can you have them bring dinner up to us tonight.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” asks Melanie.

“Things are just so crazy,” says Carrie. “We have a lot of people come in, but most don’t buy anything. Those who do have been returning a lot of stuff.”

“Complaints, complaints everywhere,” continues Leslie. “And Dad’s been out of town.”

“Where’s he been?”

“I don’t know. He just left a note saying he’ll be gone for a little bit.”

“As in all business, you need to learn to deal with people,” says Melanie.

“But nothing satisfies them,” whines Carrie.

“Just get some rest and maybe you’ll feel better in the morning.”

After eating their dinners, Leslie has a thought. “You know they still keep Julia’s clothes upstairs. I wonder why they never gave them away. I think we could sell them in the shop. People would go for those things, especially if they knew she wore them.”

“I don’t know how the family will feel about that.”

“She’s dead. And nobody’s wearing them. It wouldn’t hurt to have a look.”

Agreeing to the plan, they set out for the attic.

“Some of these things are pretty old,” says Carrie.

“They could still be sold as costume dress,” says Leslie.

“Leave my things alone!” says a voice behind them.

They turn around, startled, to see Julia’s ghost.

“I believe you have already taken enough of my belongings, haven’t you? I demand that you return them or suffer the consequences!” Julia says, approaching them.

The girls run screaming out of the attic and into their room.

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“There’s not much to this apartment, you know,” says Belle.

“I’ll just stay away from the windows when the light is on. And if anyone comes to the door, I’ll hide in another room.”

“I guess it would be pointless to remind you that I can take care of myself.”

Gavin smiles. “Yes. Save your breath.”

“Will you be following me everywhere I go?”

“Within reason. Outside this apartment, I will be shadowing you. But don’t expect to see me, because I’ll keep out of sight. It would be best if you pretend not to notice me.”

“That shouldn’t be too hard. Now, how about dinner? Are we eating in or out?”

“Uhhh. Do you mind cooking? What are we having?”

“I can whip up some noodles and beef tips. It shouldn’t take long.”

“Let me help.”

“Suit yourself. You can boil the noodles.”

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“This is delicious,” says Gavin. “Where’d you learn to cook?”

“From the cook. There are some advantages to being the youngest. No one paid much attention to me, so I was free to do as I liked. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen.”

They both look up as someone knocks on the door. Belle checks the peephole. “It’s Claire.”

“Hello!” cries Claire. “Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt-” she breaks off as she sees Gavin.

“Want to join us?” asks Gavin.

“No, I just came to tell Belle about today.”

“Sit down,” says Belle. “So, what happened?”

“The Black girls are feeling a lot of pressure. They looked like they hadn’t been sleeping well, either. They were by themselves today and anxious for the return of their other saleswoman. I think it won’t be long before they fold up. Ladies are returning clothes by the dozen.”

“If it can happen quickly, people might forget they even existed,” says Belle, hopefully.

“If they used your designs, why do you want people to forget about them so quickly?” asks Gavin.

“Have you seen what they did with the designs?” asks Belle. “If people knew I designed them, I’d be afraid to hold my head up in public. They have to forget so that I can repair the damage.”

“I wonder how they got the money to open the shop?” asks Claire. “They’ll have to pay back a lot.”

“Probably William.  He’s married to their mother,” suggests Belle.

“Nicholas also saw them steal a ring from Julia’s fingers,” adds Gavin, laughing.

“What? That’s ghastly,” says Belle.

“Well, I just wanted to share my news. I guess I’ll turn in early,” says Claire, looking significantly from one to the other.

Belle blushes but Claire slips out of the apartment. “That is the second time in two weeks that someone has mistaken my relationship with a man.”

“Do you mind?” asks Gavin, smiling.

“Yes. Very much so. Soon I’ll be getting the same reputation Ashley has.”

“Hers would be deserved. I don’t think anyone would put you in the same category as she is. Here, let me help you clean up.”

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“David, I need a date for this weekend,” says Ashley.

“We’ve been through this, Ashley.”

“C’mon. Let’s go up to Shimmering Mountain.”

“What? You don’t even ski.”

“You can teach me. Or, we can sit in the hot tub all day. Or, mingle with the singles crowd.”

“Why are you suddenly so keen on going?”

“I don’t think it’s fair that my brothers are going and taking their girfriend/fiancee with them,” says Ashley. “I thought you might like to see your lady doctor.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters