escape | ethan dolan

necessities • 7

We pull up to the curb by a small store with the name 'Anna's Boutique and Beauty'. It's located in the middle of a shopping center, with a mini grocery store on the left of it and a hair salon on the right. As soon as Lisa puts the car in park she leaps out and makes her way to the front of the shop. I quickly follow her, trying to catch up to her pace. When we enter, a cool rush of a breeze and floral scent hits me, and I immediately fall in love. Mannequins line up along the back wall, each displaying a wonderful set of clothes. Racks and racks of shirts, dresses, and pants overflow the tiny space, leaving little room for any extra movement. A single dressing room is presented in the back, a brown curtain sectioned off to the side as a cover.

"This place is amazing!" I exclaim. Lisa seems pleased with my response because she grazes my shoulder gently and gives me a warm grin. Seconds later, a short petite girl comes scurrying over in Lisa's direction.

"Lisa!" The girl squeals and holds open her arms. Lisa has to bend down to get level with her. They exchange a quick hug and a few short words before they both look to me. "Who's this pretty young lady?"

"Hi, I'm Harlowe," I hold out my hand, thinking she would do the same, but instead she pulls me into a warm embrace. I'm a little taller than Lisa, so I have to bend down even more to get equal with the lady's height. After a few moments, she pulls away from the hug and takes in my appearance.

"My, my! We are going to glam you up, buttercup! I'm Anna, by the way." All I can think to do is nod my head. This girl had way too much coffee this morning. "Cmon', let's go and find you some outfits!" I follow her demand and make my way over to the multiple racks of shirts on the other side of the store. "Now, how many outfits are you lookin' to buy today?" Anna faces me with a beam so wide- I'm worried it'll stay that way if she doesn't relax soon.

"Just one. That's all," I assure her.

"Nonsense," Lisa buts in. "We are getting her as many as she needs." Shocked, I open my mouth to speak, but she holds up her hand before I can get any words out. "I insist."

"Thank you, Lisa," I say with a thick coat of surprise. I didn't expect her to do that.

"Alright then," Anna claps her hands together. "Let's get started!"

For hours, we browse through the piles of clothes, clothes, and more clothes. I spend most of my time in the changing room, receiving items, rejecting or accepting them, and handing them back to whoever is waiting behind the curtain. It's usually Lisa who gives me the clothes to try on and Anna who picks them out. I can hear her calling to the employees in the back to get smaller sizes since I'm so underweight. It's the result of not eating a decent meal in over five years.

When I'm done trying everything on, I've picked out a total of eight outfits. We pay and then leave the store with an extra energetic farewell from Anna. I hop in the car, feeling happier now that I've gotten a fresh wardrobe. At the orphanage, I only had three outfits: My casual day outfit, my work uniform, and my night clothes, and that was it. For more than four years that's what I lived on. So now, with a shopping bag full of clothes in my hand, I feel as whimsical as ever.

Lisa and I arrive back at the house a few minutes later and unload the car. She asks how my leg is feeling and I return a "Better."- which is true. For once since I've been here, I'm not lying. My leg has mostly stopped aching, and I can overall walk without gritting my teeth.

With a crisp breeze greeting us as we enter the house, I take my bag and begin to head to my room. Before I go in, I turn around to see Lisa following behind me.

"Thank you again for everything today. I really do appreciate it," I thank her.

"Anytime, darling," She responds. Then, Lisa passes by my room and goes down the hall. She opens the door (to what I'm guessing is her bedroom) and slips in, leaving me alone.