The next day, I was able to get the shopping done. I visited the fabric store one of the new maids had recommended first.
I opened the door and a chime rang out above my head. I saw an employee. "Excuse me, miss?" I called, walking over to her. "Do you happen to have any solid colored drapery materials?"
"Well, not out on the floor. But we still have some in the back."
"Oh, thank you! Could you get them for me? Here, I brought a list with the colors and measurements. Could you possibly get what I need? If it's for sale, of course."
"Of course, darling. The manager doesn't like three year old designs on the floor, but they're always for sale. May I have the list?"
I dug in my backpack for the list and handed it to her with a 'Thank you so much'. She left and I checked out the nearby fabrics. They were pretty; in gold's and reds, but what would I do with it? There was no sense in buying something you couldn't use. But then I saw a beautiful fabric and design. The simplicity of the design was good enough for a dress, and the color was my favorite. Maybe I could use this to make a new dress for myself? I haven't sewn in years, but I did used to make my own clothes when money got tight.
I was there for about two hours, waiting for the employee to retrieve the fabrics. I was prepared to wait. I had brought a book with me, one of my favorites I had purchased a few days ago. This was my second time reading it. I opened it up, sat on a block, and started to read from where I had left off. It was an adult-rated romance novel about a woman who was kidnapped by an Egyptian she had met in London, England before her brother, who was in the military, was transferred to a station in Cairo, Egypt. The Egyptian took her to his tribe and intends to keep her as his whore.
"Ma'am. I have the fabrics." A voice said. I looked up and she was there, along with several others with carts. "Oh! My goodness! I should have divided the load and come on separate days! I'm sorry!"
"No, no, it's okay. Now, everything is here and cut. Is this all you would like to buy?"
"Actually, could I also buy this fabric? Is it possible for me to buy the whole thing?" I was fingering the fabric I would use to make the dress.
"Of course. Here, let me." She said, moving away from the cart. She lifted the roll off its holder and put it in the cart with the other fabrics.
"I'm sorry to be such a bother."
"No, no, ma'am. It's perfectly alright. We haven't had such a large order in years." She said, beginning the checkout process. I helped by putting the rolls of fabric in bags.
"Your total comes out to five thousand, nine hundred fifty three dollars and seven cents."
"Six thousand, huh? Alright." I said, reaching into my backpack for my wallet, which contained all of the money I had collected so far in hundred dollar bills. I counted out the six thousand and handed the sixty bills to the clerk, who stared at my wallet. I snapped my fingers and she awakened. She accepted the bills I held in my hand, gave me my change and receipt and shoved the last of the bags toward me.
"How are you going to transport all of this home?"
"I was actually meaning to bring that up. Could you drive it up to this address immediately? I'll make it worth the trouble."
"Of course. Do you have a ride?"
"No, I walked."
"Please, let's load the carts again and get these rolls loaded into the company van."
"I don't think I can go with you. I have to warn my employer of your arrival and I have other things to buy."
"Oh, of course. Well, you can still help."
