Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe

Third Place winner in the Curosity Shop Contest held by alicengoreland


         Heels clicking on the cracked sidewalk I made it through yet another crazy day at work. The clouds overhead were dark and foretold of rain. I sped up my pace trying to race the imminent downpour to my apartment. Needless to say I wasn’t that lucky since one after another fat, cold raindrops fell from the leaden sky.

         Frantically, I used my beat up briefcase as a buffer against the onslaught of rain. In my mind I was cursing whoever came up with the idea of not putting overhangs on storefronts and also myself for not believing the weatherman. To answer my prayers I dashed under one shop that did have an overhang. Gaining a respite from the rain I stared -- or at least tried to -- into the foggy front windows. Knick-knacks and other gadgets filled up shelves and glass cased cabinets arranged haphazardly throughout the store.

         “What in the world is this place?” I asked myself.

         I walked this street twice daily for the last three years and I had never noticed the odd little shop before now. Taking a step back mindful of the runoff from the overhang I read the store’s name that had been painted along both front windows. It read elaborately in fancy script painted yellow and red: Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe: Wonders and Delights from Around the World!

         In an hour I was suppose to meet up with my best friend to hit the gym but one look at the street made up my mind. The bells that hung on a leather strap dangling from the door jingled as it swung in. Several aromas assaulted my sense of smell as I took my first ginger steps inside. Cedar mixed with stale perfume. Dust blended with incense of several varieties.

         “Hello?” My voice carried in the store that was apparently empty.

         Rustling answered me from the back of the shop. Shortly after an older woman, carrying the fattest tabby I’d ever seen walked up to greet me.

         “Good afternoon, how can I help you?” The proprietress smiled at me as she set down the orange tabby. Gold and silver bangles jingled on her wrist as she adjusted her long patchwork skirt.

         My mouth opened to responded but I was slightly distracted as I watched the tabby waddle to a large cat bed were it promptly fell off to sleep. “Yes, I was wondering if you sell umbrellas.”

         Crossing her arms, the shop owner thought for a few seconds upon my request, “Yes, we do but I can’t remember for the life of me where I put the darn things.”

         “That’s fine. Do you mind if I have a look around?” I gave my best smile.

         “Look all you want. I’ll go see if we have any in the back rooms.” With that the old woman jingled and jangled off to the back of the store leaving me in a room full of odd and unusual things.

         To pass the time I slowly walked between the aisles and squeezed myself between the cabinets mindful of the contents inside. Along the way the tabby began to follow me. Every few feet I would stop and give a nice pet along his furry back and received a loud purr as thanks.

         Loose on one stand were enchanting glass miniatures of animals -- both real and imaginary -- and people. I was admiring the colorful unicorns when the cat started yowling. I looked behind me where I last saw the large cat and saw only the grainy floorboards covered here and there with threadbare rugs.

         “Kitty?” I walked along the aisles again listening for the tabby.

         Again, the yowling and the sound of items rustling echoed in the store. Alarmed, I hurried to a vibrating stand full of porcelain jewelry boxes and plates. The cat’s hind legs were kicking frantically trying to grip the floorboards in order to pull or push his way out from under the stand. I was torn between laughter and amazement at how the cat could fit anything more than a paw under with his rather large belly. Gently I pulled the cat out from under the stand, carefully watching the precious pieces that sat on the stand. Cobwebs and dust covered the now agitated tabby, who with a flick of a whisker sauntered back off to his unadventurous kitty bed.

         “You’re welcome.” I called after the cat.

         Curious as to what prompted the cat to try to claw his way under the stand I knelt down and peered under the stand. A red rose lay against the wall. Laying flat on my belly I reached under and plucked the fragile item out from under its hiding place. The rose was crafted from porcelain with a curved stem that held three striated leaves. Dewdrops graced the vivid petals. I took one quick look-see for the owner then stuck the rose behind my right ear.

         Grass grown taller than I was kneeling surrounded my vision adding its aroma to the crisp air. Reluctantly, I stood up. Sunrays penetrated the white puffy clouds that raced across the wondrous sky making a breathtaking view. Trees dotted the rolling hillside while swarms of colorful butterflies fluttered from one cluster of flowers to the next. Snowcapped mountains with purple slopes awaited in the far distance.

         “Where in the world am I?” I asked myself in wonderment.

         Thunder caught my attention behind me. I peered up into the sky but the noise traveled closer. Rising over the next hill was a herd of perfectly white horses with manes flowing behind them as they ran. They were coming straight for me. Gold glinted off each horse’s forehead as it caught the sunlight.

         Unicorns! I gasped as the herd ran past within arms easy reach to continue on their way. I turned to watch the retreating animals. Sadden by the fact that I could not get closer.

         “Hoy there, Milady!” A male voice boomed behind me.

         Turning around I came face to face with a group of men and women on horseback. The men wore puffed up striped sleeves in velvet and silks of any and all colors imaginable. The ladies in the retinue wore spills of lace at the neck and sleeves riding astride with sheer veils covering their faces. Their dresses were just as puffed up as the men’s were with layers upon layers of silk colorful petticoats that flashed every once in a while.

         One man urged his mount forward. He smiled gently down at me as his horse came to a halt next to me. The sky blue velvet ribbon that held his long brown hair tied at the nape in a queue matched the young man’s eyes.

         “Greetings, Milady.” The man nodded at me once, “You did not by happenstance touch one of those graceful animals, did you?”

         Too dumbfounded to open my mouth I shook my head as a reply.

         “Sad to say that is good.” The young man looked up at the landscape trying to locate the herd of unicorns again. “Bad business trying to touch one.”

         “Why is that?” My voice was quaky as I asked.

         “They have a habit of ruining a young maiden’s reputation, of course.” The man gave another inviting smile. “Always best to steer them clear of the smaller towns.”

         “Oh. Is that what you’re doing?” I took a quick look behind him at the waiting party.

         “Yes, but I forget myself. I am Lord Avian Correlain of House Brooksten.” Avian gave a slight bow from his saddle, “Who milady, might you be?”

         “Debra Harrison.” The question of where in the world am I? kept racing through my mind with each passing minute.

         “What House do you belong to Milady Harrison?”

         “I’m not from here so I guess I don’t belong to any House really.”

         My answer seemed to confuse Lord Avian. Quietly, he looked me over. Upon reaching my knee length skirt his cheeks reddened whether in embarrassment or anger I could not tell.

         Lord Avian had to clear his throat several times to say. “So you are not.”

         After a few more minutes of questioning my origins, Lord Avian claimed the herd of unicorns successfully driven away from the outlying towns and their party could return to his manor. Therefore, I found myself sitting precariously in front of Lord Avian as we rode back to his summer estates where he claimed I could find proper dress.

         I had never ridden a horse before in my life -- in fact I had never seen one in person either -- so it was fair to say that I clutched the pommel of Lord Avian’s saddle in one hand while the other held my heeled shoes to my chest. My bottom was beginning to hurt from riding and I eyed the other Ladies trying to imitate how they rode. I was amazed on how they could stay atop their horses while encumbered with their dresses where I wore a simple business suit and was having a hell of a time!

         The ride to Lord Avian’s manor was pleasant aside from my horse riding skills. After a while, small farmhouses began to dot the land with large plots of land full of crops not yet ready for harvest. Bleating goats and sheep frolicked along the lush hills guarded by a boy or two from hungry predators. Larger farms dwindled down to smaller plots as the party neared the small town.

         Lord Avian pointed out the town that was located only a mile from his family’s estate but instead of riding through the town we continued along a small dirt road that lead straight to the manor. I watched ox- or horse-drawn carts travel along a parallel road into the small town full of foodstuffs or barrels of wine and spirits.

         Grooms and servants waited by the entrance to the stables to see to the party of riders. Slipping back on my heels, I very carefully walked over to a railing trying to work feeling back into my butt.

         “Its better to keep walking.” Lord Avian smiled, “Milady.”

         Quickly, I removed my hand from my butt where I was rubbing it. “Thank you for bringing me here, but I don’t know how I am to repay you and I don’t know how to get back home.”

         Lord Avian shook his head, “Do not fret over it Lady Harrison-”

         “Debbie.” I corrected.

         “Debbie.” Lord Avian gave another quick smile, “Stay as long as needed. I will see that any avenue is looked at to see how to get you home.”

         The days wore into weeks from there into months as one after another wizards and practitioners of the Arts tried to send me back home. After no avail, Lord Avian took me into his home as a lower Lady in his retinue. The months drew out into years and my friendship with Lord Avian blossomed.

         Fall is always a beautiful time of year, I thought to myself. The leaves on the trees had turned bright orange and flamboyant yellow with the passing season. Decorated from the fallen leaves, the walkways in the gardens added splashes of color to the brilliant green of the immaculate lawns and various hues in the flowerbeds.

         Sighing, I turned to face the stand mirror. Seeds of pearl and worked silver thread dazzled me as I fidgeted with my wedding gown again. A single knock on my bedroom door drew my eyes away from the mirror.

         “Enter.”

         A servant curtsied as she opened the door, “Milady, the Lord Avian awaits.”

         “Thank you, please tell Lord Avian that I will be right there.”

         Curtsying once more the servant gently closed the door as she left to report to Lord Avian.

         The white silk petticoats rustled as I walked to my dresser where my veil and other mementos awaited. Mindful of my hair I draped the lace veil over my face. After placing drop earrings in my ears I picked up my porcelain red rose. Tied into a bow on the green stem was the sky blue velvet ribbon from the day that I had entered this strange world given to me by Avian. Entwined into that was my wedding ring, a simple circlet of gold. Reverently, I placed the red rose behind my ear.

         Wooden floorboards stiffen my knees as I found myself kneeling in the curiosity store. This life seemed ages gone but here I was back again. I had to fight the tears stinging the back of my eyes as I looked around me.

         “Here’s an umbrella, it was stuck under a pile of kites.” A motherly voice stated. The old woman round one of the many corners and looked down at me. “Is this all you will be wanting?”

         It took me a moment to realize that she was talking about the yellow umbrella, “Yes, thank you.”

         “Then I’ll go ahead and ring you up at the cash register.” The old woman walked away to the front of the store expecting me to follow.

         Despair began to seep in as I waited for the total of my sale to ring up on the older register.

         “Would you like that as well?” The storeowner pointed up at my ear.

         Confused, my right hand went up to my ear and plucked from behind it the porcelain red rose graced with its dewdrops. Still laced around it was the sky blue velvet ribbon and on that a simple circlet of gold to fit a lady’s finger.

         I only paid ten dollars for the single porcelain rose leaving the yellow umbrella for another customer stranded in the rain. I never made it to my apartment to meet my best friend. Instead, I had another appointment to make, but this one with a man, minus the red rose of course.

         The air was crisp as orange leaves floated past…