Painting

Chapter 40

I'm really happy to be here, honestly. I never realized there was so much noise in the streets around my apartment. Cars are loud. People are loud, I can even hear some people chatting from outside sometimes. Only during summer time, though.

I think, I want a cabin too. Alone, near a forest and a lake.

Now that I think about it, there would be something missing. I'm certainly not here only for the cabin. It's strange. I've only known these people for a couple of weeks and they probably know me better than my parents do. Well, they know more about what I've been through. I can't let my guard down too much though, I don't want to live the same thing.

It's snowing again. It's not suppose to be snowing that much in December.

Tyler knocks on the door frame.

-We're going to the village to do some shopping. Do you want to come?

-Of course.

I put on a black sweater and I walk out of the room. I go down the stairs and Victor is already waiting with my coat in his hands. As usual, Tyler is on his phone choosing a song. Victor helps me put my coat on.

-Thank you kind sir.

He takes his keys and we head out. Tyler is already closing the door of the backseat. I take the passenger seat.

-The people in the village are closing their stores for the winter. We probably won't find anything, but it's good to go out.

I nod my head.

We engage on the main country road. We drive for about fifteen minutes. There is nothing but trees and a couple of cabins. We leave the car at a deserted parking lot and we walk toward the little shops. I go in one of them. I didn't see where Tyler and Victor went. Someone who seems to be the owner greets me with a beautiful smile. She informs me that it's the last sale.

-You won't reopen?

-No, I'm moving away.

-Away? Why?

-I've been here for thirty years. I'm moving to a warmer place to join my husband.

-Nice.

I look at the clothes and the shoes. There isn't a lot of things. I wander a little bit and I see a dress on a fabric mannequin. It's blue and flawless. I feel it. It's soft, almost silky. I turn my head around to ask how much it is.

-How much for....

The woman is not there anymore.

-Hello?

No response. I turn around the dress and look at the back. It ties up in the back, with a beautiful ribbon. It's really a summer dress. I come back to the front. Touch the sleeves.

-If you want it, we can buy it.

I turn around startled. Tyler is standing there.

-Sorry, I didn't mean to startled you.

-It's alright. It's really beautiful.

-This summer you will be able to wear it.

-I'll take it. And I will buy it.

He lifts up his right eyebrow. I take out my wallet and go look for the owner. I find her outside, lifting a sign that says Victoria's little boutique.

-How much for the blue dress?

-The blue dress, I made it for my daughter, but it's going to fit you perfectly. For you, 20 dollars, how does that sound?

-If it's for your daughter, then I don't want to impose. I...

-Don't worry, she would want you to have it.

-Oh... Alright then, 20 dollars is okay for me. Here...

I open my wallet, get out twenty dollars and give it to her.

-Do you want a bag? I have this one in fabric, that I will give you for free.

-Are you sure?

-Yes! It's my last sale, remember?

-Yes.

-Well thank you!

-You too! Have a great trip to whatever warm place you're going to.

-Thank you Dear! Have a good life!

I wave my hand at the lady and I follow Tyler who is already out. I see Victor walking out of a shoe store with a box.

-Hey! What did you buy?

-A new pair of Converses.

-Neat! I really like the design of their shoes.

-And you what did you buy?

-A dress.

-Nice! Where?

-At Victoria's little boutique. Just there.

I point it.

-Yes, I heard it was her last sale.

-She is moving to a warmer place to live with her husband.

-Strange...

-Why?

-Her husband died, years ago.

-He did?

-But I heard, he had his ashes spread in Florida.

-Oh...

We walk toward the car.

-What did he die of?

-It's not clear.

I open the car door and sit in the passenger seat. Tyler sits behind me. Victor starts the engine.

-I heard it had something to do with their daughter's death.

-She died?

We engage on a country road.

-Yes, she had cancer.

-Oh... What was her name?

-Sally.

-Did you know her?

-Not really, I know she was one hell of an adventurer, but she didn't have the time to do all she wanted to do.

-Victoria said she made the dress for her daughter.

-Well, all you have to do is take care of it. Can I see it when we get home?

-Of course.

After another fifteen minutes, we engage in the drive-way. We all get out of the car. Tyler opens the front door. They sit in the living room and look up at something on their phone. I climb up the stairs and go to my room. Put the dress on the bed. I take off my clothes, again. I seem to be taking them off quite often these days.

I put my head through the dress and my arms through the sleeves. Tie it in the back. I take a spin. It flows gracefully. I look at little bit like a Disney princess. A little bit. I think about Sally for a while. I'm so happy to be alive. I've got so many things ahead of me, so many things to do.

I walk out of the room and stand on the edge of the stairs.