The Able Sisters

Chapter 55

The first snowflakes of winter were drifting down as Labelle excitedly packed her bags. After sharing her story with her sisters, she had been touched and excited to hear that they were offering her a place back home.

And even better, they were offering her a job! Her own space to share her own work! It was more than she had ever wanted. Those creative juices had begun to work again after being pushed down by Gracie.

Labelle packed her things in suitcases, wondering if she was bringing too much. She laughed to herself, thinking of the small bag she had brought with her when she had come to the city. Now, it seemed she'd have to leave some of her things behind.

She hadn't realized how much she'd collected over the years. She felt the guilt creeping again as she thought of how little she had left Sable and Mabel with. Labelle shook these thoughts away. Her sisters had forgiven her. She was coming home...

Labelle glanced at the clock.

"Ah, just about time," she said.

She stood up from her suitcase and grabbed a purse, leaving her apartment and descending down the stairs to the snowy day that awaited her.

The plaza was already filling up with mid-day crowds, especially those who wanted to get in some holiday shopping. Labelle grinned as she walked past them, excited to share Toy Day with her sisters again. She had unfortunately missed the Harvest Festival, but she hoped she'd spend many more with them in the years to come.

Labelle marched up toward GracieGrace, quickly checking her appearance in the window to make sure she looked absolutely ready. She stepped inside, finding Gracie frantically trying to assist customers.

As Labelle's heels tapped against the floor, the giraffe looked up. Her eyes narrowed, and she fled the counter, marching up toward her employee.

"Where have you been?!" she screeched. Her fur was frazzled, and even her scarf was unraveled. Her make-up (which was always on-point) looked smudged.

Labelle remained silent for a moment as Gracie stared at her wildly.

"We've been open three hours! What charade are you playing?! You're always on time!" Gracie continued. The customers had gathered at the counter behind her, anxiously awaiting to make their purchases.

"I don't work for you anymore," Labelle simply answered.

"What's that supposed to mean?! Yes, you do!"

"No. I quit," Labelle told her.

At this comment, Gracie paused and glanced at her oddly. Then, she began to laugh hysterically.

"You quit?! As if! How many years have you put into this store? As if you'd just take off and leave! Who will pay your salary? Where will you go? Where would you even work. I dominate this industry," Gracie said proudly, beginning to compose herself again.

"I already have a new job."

"What?! Where?!" the giraffe exclaimed, becoming anxious.

"It's an up-and-coming clothing store called The Able Sisters," Labelle told her.

"I've never heard of such a thing!" Gracie exclaimed. "You're lying."

"I'm not. I work there now."

"You-you can't leave! I created you!" Gracie shouted. "Your reputation in the fashion community will be destroyed. I'll make sure of that. Never again will anyone speak of Labelle!"

"I'm fairly certain they hadn't heard of me before thanks to you running me around like a slave. Do what you will with my reputation. I won't be around to hear about it," Labelle said. "I'm going back home."

"Home? Your little tiny village?" Gracie began to chuckle again. "Weren't you trying so hard to get away from that?"

"I've learned that city life isn't all it seems," Labelle explained. "For one, it produces some rather nasty people, don't you think? Success isn't likely to be found here. In fact, the city is demoralizing more than anything else. I should've left years ago. Maybe you should leave too. Your mental state is something else."

"How dare you!" Gracie exclaimed.

"I know that you took me in and gave me a living, but that's all you did. You frequently abused me, you never cared once about what I produced, and you're not very nice at all. Who purposely stands around judging people's fashion? Anyway, it seems you're on cashier duty now," she said, pointing to the horde of customers annoyingly waiting to make purchases.

"See how it feels," Labelle said as she spun around.

She caught one last glance at Gracie with her eyes widened and mouth agape before she marched out of the store. Labelle stood up proudly, her heels clacking again against the floor as she stepped out.

Labelle quickly walked to the next block and rested her back against a building. She was shaking, and her heart was beating quicker than ever before. She never once thought she'd have the courage to stand up to Gracie like that. But she was glad she had done it, and she hoped Gracie would at least consider what she said.

Labelle composed herself and began walking back to her apartment. She was now shaking with excitement. Her bus would be leaving in the evening, and she hadn't finished packing yet!

During those next few hours, Labelle kept what was near and dear to her and left the rest for the next buyer. No longer did material possessions bring her as much joy as they once had. She was ready to head home with only two suitcases, and she couldn't wait.

The sun set early, and soon, nightfall was upon the city. Labelle grabbed her things and slowly stepped outside her apartment, shutting the lights off for the very last time. She paused, then watched as the room descended into darkness.

Labelle anxiously took the elevator down and stepped outside. A gust of snow flew past her, and she shivered. In the lamplights, she could see the little flurries swirling around. She smiled to herself, hoping to hear the stream when she got home. She'd make snowmen again and pick fruit and collect shells on the beach in the summer. She became giddy with joy, feeling like a young girl again.

Labelle walked past the plaza, seeing that the GracieGrace sign was still lit up. She glanced at it, though there was no remorse, no feeling whatsoever. The fountain at the center gurgled as it always did, yet it sounded different this time, as artificial as everything else in the city. Yet, the lamplights and frosted windowpanes made her nostalgic.

Nothing would live up to Labelle's first moments in the city, seeing the wonder before her. She wished she could go back to that time, when the city still enthralled her, when it was a place where anything was possible. 

She would miss those moments, but not much else.

Labelle took a seat on the cold bench with her suitcases as the snow landed on her coat. Suddenly, she heard the rolling of tires and saw the gleam of headlights. She grinned and rose.

The bus came to a halt beside her.

"Bus to Animal Village," he announced.

Labelle stepped on. As the driver helped her with her bags, she turned back to look at the city one last time. She let out a sigh. She had made many memories in the city, but it was not home. It never had been. 

Labelle got comfortable and took a seat. She glanced around, noticing only a few others on the bus. She let out a yawn and let her eyes droop as the lights of the city faded away into darkness.