Glimmer of Hope

Chapter 2

"Wow Mel, this is a great dress!" Sarah said as she held up a gorgeous black mini dress.
"Well go try it on." "Oh I couldn't, could I?" Sarah said giggling. "It is simply sinful!"
"Boy, Mark would really love you in that!" Sarah was quiet for a moment, then stuttered, "Yeah, yeah I guess he would."
"Sarah, is everything ok with you and Mark?" Sarah walked away ready to try her dress on. "Later Melanie, ok? I promise I will talk
to you later."
Minutes later Sarah came out to model the black dress. She had to admit that it did look great on her. The dress was about 4 inches above
her knee, with a low back, and it was sleeveless.
"Wow that looks great Sarah!" Melanie chimed.
"Thank you ma'am, I kinda like it myself!"

Sarah looked at herself a moment longer in the mirror and then went in and changed out of the dress. Even though she was reluctant to do it, she knew she had wasted enough time here as it was. She stepped back out from the dressing room. She found Melanie looking at another rack of flashy dresses smiling wickedly as she grabbed one. Sarah walked up to her smiling.
"So you found one I see!"
"Yep, I sure did!" Melanie said giggling. "So, how much is yours gonna cost?" Sarah looked for a price tag and finally found it dangling
inside.
"Wow price reduction, this dress is only fifty dollars! I think I may just have to buy this one."
"Ok you decide on that, and I will try this one on, I won't be long."
Sarah smiled as she looked at the dress. She was very pleased with it. It had been a long time since she had bought anything for
herself. After all, she deserved to treat herself once in awhile since Mark didn't seem to have the time anymore. Just then Melanie came out in a light turquoise sequined dress.
"Well what do you think Sarah?" Melanie asked and she did a quick turn around.
"Wow Mel, that looks really good on you!"
"Great, then I am going to get it. Let me go back and change." she said as she admired herself in the mirror. Sarah paced nervously looking at her watch, while she waited for Melanie to come back.
"Come on Mel, hurry up...." she whispered to herself. Five minutes later they were at the check out.
"Hi," said Sarah to the cashier. "I would like to purchase this lovely dress today!" She smiled at the cashier and handed her the black dress.
"What a nice choice you made today." she said to Sarah. She busily rang her up. "Ok that will be forty three dollars."
"Are you sure? The price tag says fifty dollars." Sarah questioned.
"You get another twenty percent off today." she said smiling.
"Well great then!" Sarah, pulled out her wallet with excitement. Her excitement suddenly turned into nervousness.
"Sarah what is wrong hon?" Melanie asked.
"My money is gone, I can't find it." Sarah rummaged through her purse. Stuffing items into her jacket pocket to get a better look, she
paused and said "I just got paid yesterday, and I was sure to leave a hundred out." Sarah continued searching, and then suddenly stopped. She knew the only explanation was that Mark had taken it.