True to her word, Charlie agreed to continue with her training the next day but she compromised with Solomon to let her keep her job at Niffty's Bed and Breakfast. She'd go to work in the morning and go to training in the afternoon. She was relieved that she would be allowed to keep some normalcy through all this. However she wasn't sure how long said normalcy would last with her getting involved with the bureau again.
Today at work Niffty was going over her plans for the party. Charlie stepped into the inn to find a treasure trunk filled to the brim with costumes and decorations, each based on a decade from the past. There was a record player, a disco ball, a 1920's radio, a 1910's movie camera, a boom box, blazers, leg warmers, poodle skirts, leather jackets, disco pants, Peace-sign earrings, feather boas, fedoras, and so much more. She was really excited about this event. More so than Charlie expected she would be, but nevertheless she was glad to see her happy for a change.
"I was up all night shopping online and digging through my attic to get all this together." Niffty explained. "Turns out my grandmother was quite the collector."
"I'll say." Charlie said looking over a poster of Ringo Starr. "You planning on hanging this up for the party?"
"Oh yes, I'll be hanging lots of pictures of celebrities from different decades. Now where is that autographed picture of Shaun Cassidy?" She started to come through the chest. Suddenly she gasped in awe. "Oh my goodness! Here it is!"
She brought forth a package held together by brown paper and a long piece of string.
"I thought this was the perfect dress for you to wear for the party. It just screams 1910's elegance."
She started to unwrap the package.
"I don't know about this Niffty." Charlie said, unsure. "Dresses and I don't really go together. I mean they are pretty and all but I find pants to be more useful."
"This is a party Charlie, you're not supposed to be useful. You're supposed to look nice and have fun."
At long last Niffty finished unwrapping and held up the garment for Charlie to see. It was a long, cream-colored dress with a silken bodice, a flared skirt, and long, lacy sleeves. It was a summer dress, the kind of dress that made Charlie think of sunny afternoons or garden parties. Or the glamorous actresses from silent films and the elegant lady characters from classic romance novels.
"It is lovely." Charlie slowly ran a hand over the skirt and sleeves, feeling the material carefully. "Family heirloom?"
"Maybe." Niffty said. "Truthfully I'm not entirely sure where it come from and neither was my grandmother. She just found it one day in the attic and kept it preserved. I thought about wearing it myself once or twice but it's not my size."
"And what makes you think it would fit me?"
"I've been told that I have a good eye for clothes and the people they'll fit. It might need a few alterations, but I'd say that this dress was made for you."
"You really think so?"
"Yes. It would go wonderfully with that necklace your wearing."
Instantly Charlie's hand went to touch the locket that hung from her neck.
"You know, I've never seen you wearing that necklace before. Is it new?"
"No. I've had it since I was a little girl, someone gave it to me a long time ago."
"A relative?"
"No, just a friend of mine."
"Ooo, a friend." She giggled. "A special friend?"
YOU ARE READING
Heaven, Hell, and Earth
ParanormalA girl born of Heaven and Earth, a boy born of Hell and Earth, two hybrids raised in a secret organization that defends mankind from paranormal dangers. Both unaware that they were prophesied to bring about the world's end even though they have spen...
