Fictober Prompt 30: "Don't ruin this."
The Fundamentals of Living in the Future
The book signing was going smoothly. Cassie sat behind an oak desk with copies of her self-help novel next to her. People stood in an orderly line without making too much of a fuss. They came to her, shook her hand, chatted for less than a minute, and off they went with her autograph. Cassie had no complaints with the proceedings, even if some of their compliments felt unwarranted.
The only life she had saved was her own. She had written her novel to free herself from the shackles the police clamped around her ankles. With her hands unchained, she had written what she believed needed to be said, and the public, both psychic and non-psychic, agreed. If she had been able to save people, then she wished she had been able to do it before the flood.
The line was slowing down. It was nearing the end of the workday. Employees started organizing books and shelves for tomorrow's patrons while others rang up the customers' goods. Cassie took a moment to sink a little farther down in her seat, stretching her long legs. With the coast clear, she rose from her seat and smoothed down her plain white dress. She decided it was time to leave.
"Thank you so much for today, Ms. O'Pia. I truly appreciate you coming into our humble store," the manager said as Cassie approached the front desk.
"It was my pleasure. I haven't had a book signing in years," Cassie replied, shaking his worn hand. "Feel free to keep the extra copies of my book. I left them on the desk. Trust me when I say I have several copies for myself."
He laughed and thanked her again. Cassie crossed over to the entrance and removed her deep brown jacket from the coat hanger. Just as she slipped her arms through the sleeves, she jumped back as the front door flew open. Another employee yelped, ready to flip the open sign to closed, and she jerked back as if she had touched a hot iron.
A woman rushed inside. Her mess of faded red curls framed her sharp and wrinkled features. Her blue eyes sparkled, and her ruby lips stretched in a wide smile. She clutched her oversized sunshine yellow shawl around her shoulders, and Cassie noticed a purple silk star pattern embroidered across the trim.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am, but we're closed," the manager called from behind the register.
"Oh, dear, I know I'm late," she urgently replied, "but I only heard about this event today. Please, don't ruin this for me, and I do apologize for my abrupt rudeness."
He scowled at her, but she gave all of her attention to Cassie. The woman reached out, uttering a short cry of pure delight. She brushed her fingers against Cassie's arm. Instead of a shiver running down her spine, warmth blossomed in the area where she was touched.
"Hello, Ms. O'Pia! I'm a huge fan," the woman drawled, and she clutched Cassie's hands, squeezing them.
A practiced smile crossed Cassie's lips. She had expected to encounter at least one zealous fan. "Why, thank you. I'm glad-"
She bit her tongue. The shape of the woman's face reminded her of someone. Her high cheekbones, the long slope of her nose, and even her outfit brought back memories of Gloria's middle-aged years in Green Needle Gulch.
But while the woman shared a passing resemblance to Lucrecia, Cassie had known this woman from the theater. She had been a star, a shining light on the stage. Whenever she hit the high tunes, the audience was in awe. Cassie had seen her performances when they were both in their prime before tragedy struck them at different periods in their lives.
"Gloria Von Gouton, is that really you?" Cassie breathed out.
Gloria chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. "You've caught me. I was hoping to slink around without being recognized, but that's the curse of having an eternally youthful face." She chuckled and stroked her thin thumb across Cassie's callused knuckles. "Excuse me for gloating. I've been getting noticed everywhere these days, but this isn't about me. I'd like to give my compliments to the woman who gave me so much help without ever knowing it."
Cassie glanced at the manager. He didn't say another word and smiled at the next customer by his register. She gave Gloria her full attention, her brain buzzing with delight. She had never anticipated meeting the Gloria Von Gouton, a prodigy in her time, unparalleled by her contemporaries.
"Your book-" Gloria raised her arm, revealing a large pocketbook hidden underneath her shawl. She pulled out her copy of Mindswarm. "-put my life back on track. Oh, I've had so much happen to me in these last few weeks that I didn't know what to do with myself."
Cassie took a moment to collect herself. It was common knowledge among people her age that Gloria was never released from the asylum. She shook off her temporary confusion, pressing forward with a question that gnawed at her.
"If you don't mind me asking," Cassie murmured, hoping she wasn't flying too close to the sun, "but weren't you placed in Thorney Towers?"
Gloria sighed. "Yes, yes, that's true, but recently, I…discharged myself." She giggled behind her hand. "Let's just say I'm feeling pretty good, and I've moved on from my past." She raised the book to her chin. "I have to give half of the credit to you. When I was feeling down, so very down-" She brushed her hand along the book's spine. "-I thought I was going to relapse, but then, I came across Mindswarm in a corner store. After I read the reviews on the back cover, I purchased and read through it on the same day, and by God, did it help me compartmentalize everything going on in my head! My thoughts had never been so clear in, well, years!" She cupped Cassie's shoulder, warmth blooming on her skin once again. "Thank you, Ms. O'Pia. I owe so much to you for my recovery."
She didn't know what to say. She had heard every compliment under the sun, but from Gloria, there was a personal element to it. Cassie knew about Gloria's unfortunate life. Everyone did. Her mother had thrown herself from the catwalks and splattered on the ground. It had broken Gloria in half, and she had been imprisoned in an insane asylum for several years, forgotten, alone.
Cassie had felt the same pain. She had whisked herself off to the Forgetful Forest and became a witch. She was isolated, stewing with her suffering, the bees her sole confidants and jailers. They were both women who had endured years of torment with freedom finally in their grasp.
Cassie felt her eyes water. She swallowed, Gloria's mirth swapping for concern. She smoothed back a few stray locks of gray hair and smiled.
"I'm, er, I'm so sorry. Did I say something out of line?" Gloria asked, and Cassie shook her head.
Lowering her voice, Cassie said, "No. I'm just so glad that I helped you, Ms. Von Gouton."
Without thinking, she embraced Gloria. The actress tensed, but then, she pulled Cassie into her. Cassie felt Gloria place her head on her chest, and she smelled of flowers. Cassie sucked in a deep breath, and Gloria rubbed small circles around her back, soothing her, Cassie blinking away her tears.
"Are you feeling better?" Gloria asked when they parted.
Cassie nodded. "I am. Thank you. Shall I sign your book?"
Gloria nodded and opened the front cover to the blank insert page. Cassie removed and uncapped a black pen from her pocket. With a deft hand, she signed her name and provided something new for Gloria that the others hadn't received.
Her eyes widening, Gloria whispered, "Your phone number?"
Cassie's grin reached her eyes. "I only give it out to people I trust. With that in mind, would you like to get dinner? I know a good, private place where we can get to know each other."
"Oh, I'd be delighted!" Gloria offered her arm. "Shall we, Ms. O'Pia?"
Giggling like a little girl, Cassie wreathed her hand around Gloria's elbow and said, "You can call me Cassie."