GODDESSES INC

22

"You're going to the Gala at Gallery Hall? Me too." Inna flung open her closet door.

Actually, it was a room. One room of the house was dedicated to her clothes, shoes, and accessories. The space was lighting and three-way mirror perfection.

"It's the event of the year. Or at least the month. This is the first time Duncan's been invited. His invitation is posted on his subzero fridge like a school kid." She headed for a rack filled with party dresses. Sequined minis. Taffeta gowns. Silk organza frocks. Flowy dresses and skin-tight dresses. Every single item shouted Inna's bold, vibrant style.

"You sound rather excited."

"I am," said Inna. "It's been a while since I looked like the goddess I am."

"Was."

"In my heart I'm still a goddess." Inna gave herself a hug. "Help me choose the right gown."

Mnem's fingers danced over the thick-padded hangers. Valentino. Oscar de la Renta. Marchesa. Naeem Khan. Zuhair Murad. Dolce & Gabbana. "You have quite a collection."

"Oh please, some of them are almost vintage. Like that Givenchy you're ogling."

Mnem pulled the red and pink gown from the rack. "How's the InstaPic marketing?"

"There's a learning curve but I'm getting the hang of it." Inna studied the Givenchy, one finger tapping her glossy pout. "Duncan wants me to dress more provocatively. Sex sells and all that nonsense."

"Are you?"

"I don't know. I don't like being told what to do." She took the dress from Mnem, hung the gown from a hook, and stared at her shoe collection. "How's your job?"

"Boring. But I like being in a museum. I don't enjoy being told what to do either. 'You're assigned to this group. Take your break now. You took too long for lunch. Go here. Go there.'" Mnem pulled a pair of silver stilettos from the shelf. "Mortals telling me what to do is humiliating." She placed the heels under the dress.

"I don't know." Inna tilted her head.

"About the shoes or the humiliation?"

"The shoes." She took a pink patent strappy pair from the shelf. "We should start our own business."

"Like what?"

"If I knew I would have already started it." Inna sat down on the pink velvet settee in the middle of the room. "Can I be truthful?" She patted the cushion. "Sit with me." She passed Mnem her phone. "I received this private message on InstaPic yesterday."

"This is horrible. Evil and..."

"Racist." Inna pressed her hand to her heart. "It hurt bad. I cried for an hour. I know this mortal woman is lashing out, that I'm the target for her pain and ignorance, but when we were goddesses, I was above it all. My head knows this woman is hurting, but her comments feel like a stab in the heart. I still feel pity for the wretched individual, and yet I wanted to retaliate. Hurt her like she hurt me."

Mnem's brows lifted. "Did you?"

"I sent her blessings and wished her protection from whatever in her life caused her such emotional pain. That's what I do. Or did." Inna tossed the phone aside.

"You sent that in a message?"

"No. That would have only invited more criticism. I closed my eyes and sent her love." Inna sighed. "I don't think that works anymore."

Mnem drew Inna into a hug. "You did the right thing."

"Have you blessed anyone lately?"

"No. I should though. You acted like a goddess. FEM can't take that away from us." Mnem decided that instead of trying to push Miguel away, she should bless him.

Inna leaned back on the settee. "You know what I miss the most?"

"The never empty bank account? The immortality?"

"Well, that too, but I miss feeling good about myself when I helped people. I still want to help people. Don't you?"

Mnem nodded. "That's the one thing I do like about my job at Gallery Hall. For a few hours a day I help people understand a little about ancient history." She lifted her hand, her thumb and forefinger a rice grain-width apart. "What I teach is so tiny. A grain of sand on the beach of millennium."

"At least you have that. I'm not helping anybody by posting InstaPics. I need something to satisfy my soul. Naret helps immigrants find jobs. Axie helps the professor transcribe engravings for his book."

"That only helps his bank account and reputation."

"Yes, but people read books to learn and understand more. What am I doing? Helping an already overpaid athlete make even more money."

"Today you are. Tomorrow may be different. Things change. Give it time. This is the beginning of our journey." Mnem took Inna's hand and hauled her from the settee. "Enough sad talk, show me how you're going to sell Duncan's ties in this dress."

Inna laughed. "I do have an idea or two."

*~*~*~*~*~*