This story is actually a companion piece...it goes with my other ongoing story right now I Remember You. I wrote this little diddy for my friend Ada over at allaboutnewgirl and her beautiful fanfic guides she makes for followers. Thank you Ada and Cemre!
Ada opened her shop three years ago today on the corner of Vine and Kensington. The sign above the door she hand painted herself Lovin' Forty which was how she felt about the 1940's. Her shop was vintage clothes from the forties to sixties.
Her clientele ranged from young hipsters to a few studios that shopped for costumes to re-create on their shows. She kept a box with names and phone numbers of certain pieces to look for. Currently a costume designer she knew was looking for a fur short jacket with matching hat as well as any shoes in shades of blue.
Also in her box were regular customers that came in who maybe had a party to go to or just adored certain styles and cuts.
One of her customers had actually become a friend. They would lunch together sometimes or have cocktails at Happy Hour. She was a teacher and funny and had great style.
They had met in the store and struck up a conversation about a dress she had hanging on the wall at the time that reminded both of them of a greyhound dog. Jess had tried it on and it looked fantastic on her but she had nowhere to where it too. Both of them immediately began making up stories about a dashing young man that would pick her up in a vintage Jaguar and take her for cocktails at the club followed by dinner at a steakhouse and dancing at someplace called The Cabana or The Moonlight Lounge.
After that day, they started meeting up to go shopping on Saturday mornings at the flea market looking for quirky wall hangings of watercolored flowers or birdcages. Jess was a lot like Ada in taste and because of that, she always called her when something special came through the store.
Today was just one of those days.
When she returned from a dinner break across the street, there was an older woman standing by the door with a garment bag and a box. She was probably in her seventies and wore yellow cotton pants, a blouse with flamingos on it and had big boxy glasses. It wasn't uncommon for Ada to deal with older customers as they were usually cleaning out their garages and didn't want to simply throw out a special dress they had because it usually meant something to them.
"Hi there, how are you today" Ada asked her as she stuck the key in the door, opening it for both of them.
"I'm good."
"Great, you have some stuff to show me today?"
"I do actually. They were from my mother's house that we are cleaning out right now."
"Let me set some things down and I will be with you in just a moment."
"Ok, take your time."
"Do you want a cup of tea? I was gonna have one myself."
"That would be lovely, thank you."
Ada hung up her coat and set her bags aside before starting the kettle and coming back in.
The woman had opened the garment bag and took out three dresses hanging on cloth hangers.
"Oh, these are beautiful" Ada said upon touching the sleeves of a green and black diamond dress with a wrap around necktie.
"Yeah, they belonged to my mother and she was really into clothes."
Ada pulled them apart and hung them on existing hooks on the wall. She knew immediately who would want each piece. She took a picture of the peacock colored dress and immediately texted it to Jess with a question mark.
"My friend looks so pretty in blue and absolutely loves this time period. I thought I would send her a picture and see if she was interested. I personally would love to put these up for sale for you. I charge 30% commission and I guarantee with this quality, they will be gone by this weekend."
"Wow, that is so easy."
"Well, your Mom had good taste and that carries through the years."
Her phone chimed back a text from Jess.
Did you know I have a date tomorrow night?
No, I didn't.
Well, that dress is so pretty. I have no idea what we're doing but I'm with him right now eating burgers, fries and milkshakes at a diner so seriously, I'm hoping that dress will actually fit me.
I will hold it for you. Come by in the morning and try it on.
OK, see you then.
Jess and Ada met up at a market down the street from Ada's shop. They both ordered a cup of tea and walked aimlessly down the aisles perusing hand made soaps and magazines on yoga.
"How was your date last night?"
"It was really good actually. He is a pretty funny guy and ugh, well really good looking and nice."
"How did you meet him?"
"That's a funny story. I met him at a bar when I was still in college. Then a few years later I saw him at the same bar and gave him my phone number. He never called."
"No way, and you went out with him last night?"
"Well, then we sat next to eachother at a wedding after that but by then I was with my ex-boyfriend and I think we probably would have gotten together that night if it wasn't for Spencer."
"Finally, last week, I ran into him again at the bar. This time he asked me out."
"Wow, that is pretty cute."
"It is, isn't it?"
"So how did last night go?"
"Well, it was good. Really really good."
"You two are going out again tonight?"
"Yeah, we are."
"Well, lets head over to the shop and see if the dress fits."
"I hope it does because I have nothing else to wear tonight."
If you wanna find out what happens on the date, you'll have to read I Remember You.
