The answer to yesterday’s question is at the bottom of this post.
Today's story
She was young when her mum put her through this.
‘You have a choice,’ Mum said. ‘Take out a loan and buy it now (before they’re sold out) or wait. Save up all the money you need, then buy it. But, they could be sold out.’
'I could wait for a sale.'
'That type of shop never has a sale.'
‘I’ll wait.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I don’t want to wait. Don’t want to take out a loan either. But I definitely have to have the dress.’
‘Once we shake on it, you can’t go back. That’s the deal.’
They shake hands.
The first month was easy. Every night on her way home from work she’d take a detour so she could pass the shop. She’d imagine herself at the Christmas party. Head up. Walking confidently. Talking confidently. Not her usual mousy self.
Actors always talk about how a costume changes them and helps them play their role. She’s no actor but she will use all the help she can get to stop people brushing her off. Wayne will finally have to listen to what she has to say.
Eight weeks of waiting have passed.
Her nails are bitten down to half her nail bed. She can't sit for more than five minutes without beads of sweat pimpling her forehead. She excuses her frequent toilet visits saying it's her time of the month. She sits on the loo almost in tears. The night before, she went into the shop and discovered only one of the dress she wants is left.
What if someone buys it before I finish work today? She begins to hyperventilate. I can’t breath. I feel dizzy. She flaps her hands, fanning herself. No. No. No. I’ll ask to leave early. I haven’t got all the money but I’ll beg them to take what I’ve got and make them promise not to sell it to anyone else. The shame. I don’t care; it’s the best answer I've got right now.
At the shop the assistant says, ‘We sold the last one a few minutes ago.’
She is distraught. Goes home crying.
Mum comes in to console her daughter.
‘I’m really proud of you. You worked so hard. Don't cry... You waited. You saved. You did so well. Almost had all the money you needed. It's awful someone else bought the last dress this afternoon.’
‘How did you know?’
‘It was me.’ Mum says.
She presents her daughter with the dress.
The answer to yesterday’s question
Drum roll…
Fog
The strongest human being in the world could not lift a fog.
Warmer air can. Increased sunlight can. Heat causes the water droplets in fog to evaporate.