The Able Sisters

Chapter 32

Labelle stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her black suit. Today was the big day. GracieGrace would be opening. She had already read many articles about it in the paper and expected no less than a huge crowd.

Gracie had been in contact with her. Together, they had finished the set-up of the store and had decided what and how much would be sold. 

"We can't sell too much," Gracie had warned her.

"But why? There'll be a lot of customers."

"Those who aren't able to buy anything at opening will have to come back the next day, or the day after that. The cycle goes on and on, and we keep selling out!" Gracie exclaimed.

"Well..." Labelle didn't remember her parents' shop ever running that way, but this was the city after all.

They had discussed prices, all of which were soaring high, but Gracie assured her that many would be able to afford the ridiculously high prices.

"Soon, we'll have to figure out our summer collection. You can be of help," Gracie had told her.

Labelle had never been so excited. She was finally getting the attention she deserved. She was Gracie's only assistant and got to work firsthand with the fashion designer. She certainly hoped to be in this position for a while.

Labelle headed to work in the early morning, already finding a line of animals waiting outside the front door. Gracie was already inside, making sure everything looked its best.

"The line is already so long," Labelle said as she set down her things.

"We'll be sold out by noon!" Gracie exclaimed.

"But we don't close until 9:00 pm."

"It'll be perfect!" the giraffe said.

They finished setting up and listened to the chatter coming from outside the door. Labelle felt her heart begin to race. Could she really handle the crowd? She used to help out at the shop sometimes back home, but she was much younger, and the crowds were minimal.

"Pull yourself together, darling. You look a-fright," Gracie noticed.

"Sorry. I'm ready," Labelle promised.

All at once, the doors slid open, and a mad rush of animals launched themselves at any item in front of them. Gracie stood happily in the corner, watching the crowd while animals rushed to Labelle to pay for the goods they had so quickly snatched.

"Just a second!" Labelle said as she worked desperately to work as fast as the incoming stream of customers.

Out of the corner or her eye, she saw two animals wrestling over a nice top. Labelle began to speak up to end the fight, but she was too busy ringing people up.

She watched as Gracie approached the wrestling dog and cat.

"There is a simple way to settle this," she said.

Who picked it up first? Labelle thought.

"You," she said, pointing to the cat. "That top is ghastly. Why would you ever match it with those shoes? Give it back to her," she said, pointing to the dog.

The cat dejectedly handed over the piece of clothing and exited the store. Labelle stiffened. The world of fashion was a lot more harsh than she had expected it to be.

The line at the register died down, and she realized it was because all of the items had sold. There were animals dragging out furniture or proudly displaying their GracieGrace shopping bags.  

The other animals were still wandering around the shop, desperately looking to buy something, even if it was just a headband.

"Attention: GracieGrace has sold out for the day. We will reopen at 9 A.M. tomorrow," Labelle announced.

There was an uproar from the remaining customers. Gracie shoved Labelle aside to take the microphone from her.

"Do not fret. I'll have more splendid items for you to all buy tomorrow!" Gracie announced, calming the crowd a bit.

The guests soon exited, the doors were shut, and the shop was empty.

"Now we need to get items out of storage," Gracie said.

"You mean we had more items all along?" Labelle wondered.

"Yes, but we've already discussed our method of selling. The shop needs a lot of attention for opening. We have to leave our customers craving more. Now, come on. Help me move more items up."

Labelle nodded. They spent the remainder of the afternoon preparing the shop for the next day, and finally, Labelle headed home to her apartment, absolutely exhausted. 

The next week brought about an insane number of customers. They continued selling out and grabbing goods from storage, which ran Labelle to the ground. But she had to keep it up for Gracie. The last thing she wanted was the giraffe to fire her after all her hard work so far.

Her paycheck came in at the end of the week, and she was astounded. It was much more than she had anticipated, and certainly at least triple that of what Harriet had paid her.

Labelle glanced around her apartment, guessing it would soon be time for a change. With bells like this, she could afford a nice penthouse somewhere else in the city. Of course, she'd have to save up more money, but the thought was no longer impossible for her.

She let out a little squeal of delight. She would live most comfortably in the city with this job. There was no fear that she'd have to return home and face her siblings.

Her face dropped a bit. She wondered how Sable and Mabel were getting on. Looking at the paycheck in front of her, she felt a bit guilty. Were they still starving? Perhaps she should share it with them...or at least write a letter.

Labelle shook her head. It would be too awkward to send a letter now after a couple years. She knew their lives must be improving somehow. After all, Sable had been practicing her sewing. Maybe the shop was back open.

Labelle had worked too hard for her income to just give it away. If her siblings really wanted to see her, they would have traveled to the city by now. 

No, she wanted to remain here and keep her share for herself. She was a city girl after all, and she hoped to always remain that way.