The bell over the shop door jingled. The door swung open, and a woman and a little girl entered. Their eyes darted over the shelves and display cases of masks.
Chris lowered her feather duster and turned to the front of her store. Shehad been gently dusting the shelf of delicate princess masks. They were precious, and she dusted them every day.
All of her masks were precious to her. She cared for them as if they were her children.
As the woman and girl approached, Danny lifted his big head and sniffed the air. The old Alaskan husky didn't like to have his nap interrupted. But Chris was always happy to see customers. People she could her beloved masks with.
"Welcome," she said. Her voice was still young and crisp, despite her seventy years. Her white wavy hair, parted in the middle. But hereyes were sharp, and she had the energy of a much younger woman.
She brushed back the black cape she wore to give herself a look of mystery and set down the feather duster. "Welcome to Chris's Mask Emporium," She smiled at the little girl, who was dark haired and pretty. She wore a pink pleated skirt and a matching
pink sweater. "Did you come to buy a mask?"
"Erika is going to costume party," her mother said. "We heard you have the best mask store in town.
Chris bowed her head. "I think it's the best. It's certainly the oldest. The store has been in my family for three generations."
Erika was staring at a round pig mask in the first display case. The color matched her skirt and sweater. "Is that a real pig head?" Her voice trembled.
Chris chuckled. "Of course not. It's made of rubber. Do you like it, Erika? I made it myself."
Erika shook her head. "No, I don't want to be a pig."
Her mother stepped up to the line of princess masks. "These are pretty, Erika. Come take a look."
Erika had to step around the dog, who was sprawled on his side, his legs stretching over the narrow aisle. "What's your dog's name?"
"Danny," Chris told her. "He's a good dog. But he isn't interested in masks, so he just sleeps all day." Chris handed her a princess mask. "Try this one. It goes well with your dark hair."
She turned to her mother. "These masks in this case are all handmade. I hope you like my craftsmanship."
"It's nice to see someone who takes so much pride in her work," she replied.
Erika tried on four princess masks. Then they bought the first one that Chris had handed her. Chris wrapped it carefully in brown paper. "Enjoy the party," she called after them. The bell jingled as they left.
Chris locked the cash register. She dimmed the lights. "Come on, Danny. Stand up. It's time to go home."
Danny lifted his head but didn't move. Chris wrapped her hands around the dog's middle and hoisted him to his feet. "It's a short walk home, dog. You can go back to sleep as soon as we get there."
She led the big dog outside and locked the shop door. The late afternoon was dark, with low storm clouds overhead. Sheets of fog greeted her as she started to walk.
Chris shivered and pulled the black cape tighter around her slender frame. She took long strides. Danny had to trot to keep up with her.
"Such a thick fog," she said to the dog. "I can barely see where I'm going. You are lucky to have four legs. Makes it easier to walk."
The fog billowed like a heavy curtain. The street was silent.
They had walked only a few blocks when the dog suddenly stopped. A low growl escaped Danny's throat. Chris saw the fur on his back stand straight up.
She lowered a hand to Danny's head. "What is it, boy? What is frightening you?"
The dog uttered another growl, fiercer than the first.
Chris heard the click of footsteps behind her. She turned but could see only a pulsing wall of white fog.
The dog growled. The footsteps stopped.
"Who's there?" Chris called. "Who is it?"