Page 5 of Masked March

No. I think I need time away. It’s been so long since I took vacation or even a personal day, it’s for the best to do so before I have to do a whole new job search. But maybe I’ll have to anyway.

Mateo

Mel? Are you okay? What happened?

Everyone says you rage quit after yelling at Jake… Call me!

Glancing at my phone, I decide to turn it off. If it’s going to be a full day of rest and relaxation, then I’m ignoring the churning anxiety in my gut that I may have just lost my job.

As I head out of the parking garage for employees, I pause at the exit, wondering about heading home or… Hmm. The card.

Only one place I know has apink curtain.Shonda’s Silky Selections. The store I worked in high school only because I could get a twenty percent discount on lingerie that the football players would see if they were lucky. Last I heard, Shonda was still the owner. I wonder if I can get a discount.

Now that I need new underwear.

The ice is melting rapidly as the sun shines brighter than it has in weeks. Main Street is not too busy, given it’s before the lunch hour and I easily find a parking spot in front. Only a couple other cars are nearby. It’s warm when I step out and grab my bag, so I don’t bother with my winter coat.

As soon as the door chimes when I enter, my brain takes me right back to when I was sixteen. Vanilla and rose flood my nose as I waltz closer to the main counter. Nothing has changed. It still looks the same as it did twenty years ago. Even the panties are in the same spots. Maybe the quality of the fabric has lessened, the prints have gotten bolder, but it’s still similar to how it all was.

Girls wanted tobeme and would crowd in during my shift to see what I was wearing under my stylish outfits. They were so desperate for my opinion on what they should buy for theirfirst timesor prom nights.

“Oh my god. Mel?!” Shonda’s voice makes me close my eyes in memory of getting yelled at too many times for talking to boys on the phone instead of customers. For smoking cigarettes in the alley behind the store.

“Hi, Shonda. Yeah, it’s me. It’s been awhile.” Most grown-up women buy their lingerie at a department store or order it online like respectable introverts.

“It’s been a long time. You lookgreat!The same!”

I take in her tight black curls and broad smile. “You haven’t aged a day, either. I bought some slips a few years ago. But you weren’t here that day.”

“Well, I’m so glad you came in! Is there anything I can help you with?”

It’s awkward, talking to someone who knew me back then. I hope I’ve changed from the bully I once was. Life has humbled me several times. So I try to avoid everyone I used to know like all the guys from high school or the girls I cut down.Some of them I apologized to one wine drunk night. But, otherwise, I just hope they leave me alone as much as I pretend they don’t exist anymore. We’re all different people now.

But I feel trapped talking with Shonda. How can I get in and out of here without her bringing up bad memories?

“Oh, I just needed some new thongs.”

“Well, we have a special today. Grab any five over there for the same price as three. We also have a deal on bras. You look like you need one with a bit more support.”

My mouth curls up to refrain from saying anything, but I’m already wandering over to the stack and grabbing a handful of panties. Then I snag a bra next to it. One I used to like. “Just these are fine.”

“Do you need a bra fitting?”

Heat flames in my cheeks thinking about Shonda giving me a fitting at this age. My answer stops as I'm interrupted by a flurry of women entering the shop. Blondes with styled dresses and carrying oversized water bottles, the crowd spy me with loud giggles and screeches.

The Reapettes.

Oh, god. My horrible crew from high school enters as a cluster, a sachet of shallowness hovering over them.

“Mel! It’s been ages!” Cindy, the worst offender says, pulling me in for a quick fake hug. The others surround and do the same with a few air kisses. “Whatever are you doing here? Miss old times?”

Bellany sneers while crossing her too thin arms. “Did Jake Connor just fire you?” Ugh. This town is too small.

“What? No…” I shrug like nothing happened. “Was just going to try these on… I’ll be back shortly.”

Backing away, I escape the group and head for the dressing rooms. Pink velvet lines the floors, the walls, and the curtains covering each booth. Hurriedly, I pull back one and rush inside, slamming it closed like it can stop them from invading my space.

Gathering up a deep breath, I toss the fabric onto the silk chaise and cover my face with my hands. I’m not her anymore. Nor do I want to be.

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