The Literary Misadventures of Juniper Rosewood

36- Closing Time

I stood in front of my mirror, considering my appearance. I had no idea what to wear on a date. It was Saturday evening, only a day after he had asked me to be his girlfriend, and Dalton was due to pick me up in half an hour. My wardrobe mainly consisted of hoodies and jeans. Since he was taking me to Penny's, it probably didn't matter, but I still wanted to look nice.

"What do I wear?" I groaned, turning around and facing my mother, who sat on my bed. She smiled warmly at me, but there was a dullness behind her eyes that I was never going to become accustomed to. She was thinner and paler too, and her cold hands shook as she placed them on top of mine.

"You'll look beautiful whatever you choose, little nipper," She said.

"Well, I know that but that doesn't help me figure out what to wear," I said, and my mother chuckled, standing up on wobbling legs and making her way over to my wardrobe.

"You always do well with a blouse and a skirt," She said, pulling out a white off-the-shoulder broderie Anglaise blouse and a knee-length checkered skirt.

"Mum, you're a genius, I don't know what I'd do without you," I said. My mother smiled warmly.

"I know what you need to go with it," She said, and she teetered off to her bedroom.

It was hard to watch her struggle, knowing that I couldn't do anything about it. The thought brought tears to my eyes, but I swallowed them back down as she returned with a long box in her hand. She handed me the box, and I opened it tentatively. Inside lay a dainty sterling silver necklace, with a cutout rose charm shining in the middle.

"This is beautiful, mum," I said.

"It's yours now," She said.

"No, I—"

"Juniper," She said sternly, and I knew there was no room for argument.

"Thank you," I said quietly, allowing her to clip it around my neck.

"Your granny gave it to me a few years ago. I don't wear jewellery very often though. I thought you might get more use out of it than me."

"I love it," I said. She stood up suddenly.

"I'll leave you to get changed."

"Alright."

As I changed, I couldn't stop staring at the pendant in the mirror. It looked brand new. Maybe my mother hadn't been completely truthful about its origin story. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. I wore my hair down, which I almost never did, and hung in loose waves down to my waist. I put on a little mascara and a smattering of blush. I didn't want to look like I had put too much effort into my appearance, which of course was a lie. I pulled on some socks and a pair of plain white pumps, before clattering down the stairs excitedly. I checked my watch. I had fifteen minutes.

My parents sat at the kitchen table, mugs of tea clasped between their fingers. My dad smiled at me with crinkled eyes.

"You look wonderful, sweetheart," He said. I curtsied in response and took a seat next to my mother.

"Are you going to be cold? Don't you need a jacket?" She asked.

"I'll put on my leather jacket before I go. But I've got fifteen minutes yet."

"Have you brushed your teeth?" My dad asked. I rolled my eyes and nodded. Suddenly, my phone buzzed in the pocket of my skirt. I know, right, a skirt with pockets!

Jamie 🤮

6:14 pm: I'm on my way 💞

Me