Material
Love
Linzy Bruno
It was Friday, nine a.m. when Christine Hansen arrived at her dressmakers' job and slid her purse under her sewing maching. "Good morning Brooke," she said; smiling at her favorite co-worker, who always sat at the adjacent machine.
"Hey Chrissy, how's it goin?"
"Great! I'm always great on days I can practically hear my favorite boutique calling my name!"
"Goin' on a shopping spree tonight are you?"
"Yeah! Wanna come along?"
"Sure!"
Later in the breakroom, Christine sat next to Brooke. "So what is it you wanna shop for tonight? I'm gonna check out their silk blouses! I love the ones we make here, but Hinkley's just came out with those real trendy ones......ya know with the cut out shoulders and then those other ones with the sexy slit up the back."
"Yeah those are SO pretty! Yeah, I'll probably get a few of those, but what I really want is a new dress. Hey will you give me feedback if I try one on?"
"Or three or five or seven.......ha ha ha ha ha."
"Ha ha ha ha, oh Christine, you're SO bad," Brooke replied; pushing Christine playfully on her shoulder.
That evening at the boutique, Christine stood at the rack of gorgeous silk blouses. She could feel her whole body tingle as she drank in all the vibrant colors before her and all the other beautiful colors surrounding her, that seemed to shimmer and sparkle. A familiar warmth over flowed inside her, as her hands grazed the smooth shiny, silken fabrics; her eyes lusting for more. She stared intently at the alluring shades of mint green, baby blue, deep lavender and yellow; that shined in her eyes like golden sunshine. She grabbed one of each of the green, blue and yellow blouses and held them one by one in front of her, as she checked herself out in the huge four-way mirrors.
"Ooooh those blouses are all SO beautiful! You would look great in all of them," remarked Brooke, as she approached Christine. "Hey come check out these dresses I found!"
Several hours later, the two stood in line at the check-out counter; chatting about work and comparing the clothes at the boutique to those they were currently making at their high-paying jobs. "I love our clothes at Krouses', but it's so fun shopping around at other places. I think this place is my favorite, if you wanna know the truth," Christine whispered in Brooke's ear.
"Yeah, same here! I love these dresses you helped me pick out. I think I'll wear this one Monday," Brooke replied; holding out one of her favorites.
"Yeah, good choice......I like that one the best too!"
Then it was Christine's turn at the register. She placed three blouses, three skirts, two pairs of panty hose and one pair of silk pajamas on the counter.
"Your total is five hundred and fifty dollars," the cashier informed her.
Christine happily handed the woman her bank card, as she continued in deep conversation with Brooke about where they might go on their next shopping spree.
That Monday, Christine showed off her new outfit, as she looked around to see if she could spot Brooke entering the building. When she didn't arrive on schedule, Christine slid her purse under her machine and sat down, as she looked around a little bit more. Suddenly a new worker appeared by her side and pulled out Brooke's chair. "Oh......hello, are you new here?" Christine inquired.
"Yes I am.......I was told to work at this machine."
"Oh......then I wonder where they put Brooke......the girl who sat here before."
"I think she's over there now," the girl replied; pointing across the large work area.
"Oh," Christine replied; turning her attention to the day's projects, as she felt her heart sink in her chest. Christine didn't speak to the new girl at all for the rest of that day, but decided to make an effort to be more friendly the following day, even though she didn't think she would like her new co-worker, espescially since her attire was so out of style.
"My name is Christine, by the way....." she said, as the new girl slid her purse under her machine.
"Hi, my name's Isabell, but everyone calls me Izzy."
"Well, welcome to Krouses.' My name's Christine, but everyone calls me Chrissy or Chris,' Christine replied; trying to appear friendly.
That evening, Christine called Brooke to tell her all about the new girl and how she missed her that day: "The new girl is nice enough, but it's not the same without YOU BROOKE. She's really dull. She's SO quiet and she's just not the type to work as a dressmaker for a high-end shop like Krouses.'"
"Oh......that sucks!"
"Yeah, it's such a waste.....I mean she's cute enough, but she dresses so dumpy.....like I bet she doesn't own one single thing that's new and trendy!"
"REALLY! Maybe you and I should take her shopping," Brooke replied; with a hardy laugh.
"Ha ha ha ha ha......I would, but I don't think she would know how," Christine remarked.
Several weeks passed and Isabell was still quiet and meek in Christine's opinion, but she was starting to become curious; wondering: 'who was this girl anyway? What was her story?' So, she started asking her questions. "So.....where are you from Izzy?"
"A little town that's pretty far from here. My husband and I just moved here about a month ago."