The Able Sisters

Chapter 19

Sable awoke excitedly to a new day. The sun was shining brightly, birds were chirping, and the ground was coated in a new, fresh layer of snow. Though exhausted from thoroughly cleaning the shop the night before, she felt wide awake this morning and was in a particularly good mood as she served fresh, steaming pancakes on Mabel's plate.

"Open today?" Mabel asked.

Sable nodded. "Yup! We're opening back up today!" she exclaimed.

Mabel grinned and bit into her pancake, humming a bit.

"But Mabel, even though we're reopening, I want you to know that we can't play as often as we used to," Sable said as she sat down, taking on a more serious tone.

"Can't play?"

"I have to work for a lot of the day now, and you need to stay in my sight. You can bring your toys downstairs or play and show all the customers the pretty things we have to sell," Sable told her excitedly.

"What about outside?" Mabel wondered.

"We can't play outside that much, but maybe in the late afternoon. I think you can play outside sometimes as long as you stay in front of the shop," Sable told her. She felt nervous leaving Mabel on her own, but she didn't want her cramped up inside the shop all day.

"Okay," Mabel said, seemingly content.

"Okay?"

Mabel nodded.

"Well, finish up those pancakes. We have a big day!" Sable exclaimed. Once Mabel's plate was clear and the dishes were washed, she led her younger sister downstairs and turned on the lights.

The dusty, dirty, cobweb-infested shop was now sparkling clean and adorned with new and old items of clothing to sell. It looked almost like the shop her parents had run, though Sable still knew her sewing could use some work. She'd been practicing though, and with each new piece she made, she improved just a little.

"You can sit right by me at the sewing machine," Sable said, picking up Mabel and setting her down on a little wooden stool. Mabel giggled and crossed her legs together, smiling.

A knock sounded at the door, and Sable glanced up, seeing Mayor Tortimer lingering at the entryway.

"Oh, he's here for the opening ceremony!" Sable squealed. She grabbed her sister's hand and led her to the door. Pelly wrapped a red ribbon around the door and Sable stood happily, watching as villagers from all over town formed a circle around the building.

"I must say, I'm very happy this shop is opening up again," said Tortimer to Sable. "My clothes have been getting a little worn, if I do say so myself." He chuckled lightly.

"Well, there will be plenty for you to look at," Sable assured him. "And I can assure everything is affordable too."

Tortimer smiled and patted her back. "Your parents would be proud," he said in more of a hush.

Tears gathered in Sable's eyes. She was about to thank him when Tortimer pounded his cane against cobblestone, creating a loud boom. The animals standing all around fell silent and gazed at their mayor.

"Thank you all for coming," he said. "Today, we celebrate the reopening of our beloved tailor shop, though with a new name. Sable has worked long and hard to recreate the success her parents had, and so, The Able Sisters is born!"

Cheers sounded from the crowd.

"And now Sable will speak," Tortimer said.

Sable stiffened, not expecting to be giving a speech. But all eyes were gazing at her, and she supposed it would be rude not to speak.

"Oh, um, thank you, Mayor," she said. She gulped and faced the crowd. She had never been one to speak to crowds, but she clenched her fists and took a deep breath.

"I just want to say that my parents worked hard for the success of this shop, and I look forward to carrying on their legacy. I wanted this shop to be something everyone could come to. You'll find that everything is very affordable, and every piece is stitched with love. You'll find some new and old clothing inside. Everyone should be able to find something they enjoy," Sable explained to the crowd.

"Thank you again for coming," she finished.

"And now Pelly will do the honors," Tortimer said, gesturing to the door.

With a large pair of silver scissors the ribbon was cut, and Sable opened the door. Mabel clutched her hand as they stepped inside. Her younger sister sat on the wooden stool near the sewing machine while Sable lingered in the center of the shop, watching as an influx of animals entered.

Her first purchase was made in no less than five minutes, and the purchases only continued from there. The shop was completely sold out within two hours, and Sable had to rush to the back to find some more clothing to put out. She hadn't been expecting to sell so quickly or for the shop to gain so much success.

The Able Sisters had to be closed early afternoon as Sable only had unfinished pieces remaining. A huge bag of bells sat on a desk, and Sable waved good-bye to the last customers as they departed. She paused for a moment and collapsed against her chair, exhausted. It must have been a while since affordable, new clothing had been accessible to the villagers.

Tortimer stood up from a chair he was sitting on. He had decided to spend the day with her and assist her as best as he could. 

"What a day," Sable sighed. She glanced at the bag of bells though and grinned. She had never gotten so much money in one day. She would easily be able to buy some more sewing supplies and cloths as well as some goods for the house.

"I would say it was a success," Tortimer said.

"I can't handle a crowd like this every day though," Sable admitted. "I'm going to have to sew late tonight."

Tortimer chuckled and rested his stumpy arm on her shoulder. "You are the business owner, you know. You can close tomorrow if you wish."

"Oh, no! I want to deny anyone more clothes," Sable explained.

"I'm sure the crowds will die down within the week. Everyone is just excited to have some new clothing, that's all. It's good to know you're guaranteed success though. I don't have to keep worrying about you, or your sister," Tortimer said.

"My sister?" Sable questioned.

"Oh, she came to me many times asking for more help and money for you two," Tortimer explained. "Such a shame she couldn't be here today to see the shop open."

"Yes, such a shame," Sable muttered. 

"Well, I'm off now! Good luck tomorrow!"

"Thank you!" Sable called as he went off.

She led Mabel upstairs and put her down for a nap, but Tortimer's comment still rang through her ears. What did he mean that Label kept coming and asking for money?

She probably just wanted city funds, Sable thought to herself.

Even if Label had cared, it didn't matter now. Her sister had deliberately left them, and even if she had showed some affection back then, she certainly didn't care enough to come back now.

I hope she comes back one day, Sable thought. Then she can see the success of the shop and realize she was the one who was wrong.