The Tearsmith

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You can recognise those who are different immediately.

In their worlds, it's others whose eyes see.

That day, we were due to have guests from just outside the city. Some old friends of Anna and Norman were coming for lunch.

When I found out, something inside of me started vibrating, pushing away all other thoughts. I was anxious to make a good impression.

I smoothed down my dress. It was very simple, white, with a ruched bust and straps that left my shoulders exposed. I looked at my reflection in the small, silver-framed mirror in the hallway and felt my stomach twisting with an unfamiliar emotion. I wasn't used to seeing myself like that, like a doll, so smart, polished and groomed.

If it wasn't for the Band-Aids on my hands and my mother-of-pearl eyes, I wouldn't have recognised myself.

I made sure that the side of my neck was covered by my braid. The mark had been fading over the past few days, but I didn't want to risk it.

'Oh, it's so hot today!' I heard a woman's voice exclaiming from the front door. 'If only I'd known. There's not a breath of wind here with you!'

Mr and Mrs Otter had arrived.

The woman who had spoken was wearing a beautiful, cobalt blue overcoat. Anna had told me she was a tailor. She kissed both her cheeks with genuine affection.

'Is the car all right there in the driveway? George can move it if it's in the way...'

'It's absolutely fine, don't worry about it.'

Anna kindly took her hat and invited her in.

They walked arm in arm and Mrs Otter put a hand on her wrist.

'How are you, Anna?' she asked, almost apprehensively.

Anna responded by squeezing her gently, but I noticed that she was looking at me as they walked through the hall. Mrs Otter was too busy searching Anna's eyes to notice me.

When they eventually stopped in front of me, Anna said with a smile, 'Dalma, this is Nica.'

Here we go...

I tried to contain my trepidation and smiled.

'Hello.'

Mrs Otter didn't reply. She gazed at me, her mouth slightly open and her face full of confusion. She couldn't believe her eyes. She blinked and looked at Anna.

'I don't...' She seemed to be lost for words. 'How...'

I also tried to catch Anna's eye, almost as shocked as Mrs Otter was, but at the next moment, she looked at me with a completely new sort of astonishment. She seemed to have only just realised the reason for these introductions. Anna's hand was still holding hers.

'I'm so sorry...' She seemed to have recovered, but was still breathless. 'I was caught by surprise.' Her lips melted into a shy, slightly incredulous smile. 'Hi...' she exhaled earnestly.

I couldn't remember anyone ever having greeted me like that before. It felt like she had caressed me, without even touching me.

What a miraculous feeling, the feeling of someone looking at me like that...

Satisfied, I thought I could safely say that I'd made a decent impression in that white dress.

'George!' Mrs Otter called, waving a hand behind her. 'Come here.'

Her husband, who had a bushy moustache, was congratulating Norman on the conference. When Anna introduced us, he was just as astonished as his wife.

'My goodness,' he said out of nowhere. Anna and Norman laughed.