Reflection

Word Count: 416

Reflection

Daisy Richards stopped for a second to stare at her reflection in the large bank of windows she was passing. She smoothed her skirt and swept her large straw hat off her head to pat her hair into place until she was once again a picture of perfection. She was so nervous.

Daisy took a deep steadying breath. She was on her way to her first job interview and felt a long way from home. She leaned closer to the window for a last inspection and to delay the inevitable a moment longer and then reeled back in surprise, almost falling into the road. What a mess that would have made of her nice appearance, but her reflection had rippled, grown hazy, and then reappeared, though it was no longer reflecting the same image. Her sensible skirt and blouse were gone, the straw hat had changed to a ratty old affair, and her hair was no longer brushed to a shining perfection. She looked like she was back on the farm, ready for another day of chores.

Daisy took a step closer to the window. The reflection moved with her, but didn’t change its appearance, as if mocking her.

I’m not Daisy Mae anymore, Daisy thought, her heart beating faster than normal. I’ve gone through a lot to get where I am today! I’m just Daisy now.

She had to remind herself of this a few times, for her reflection appeared to disagree. This is who you will always be, it seemed to say.

Daisy shook her head and closed her eyes, counting to ten. When she looked again, she fully expected her reflection to be back to normal, but it wasn’t. It still showed Daisy Mae in her coveralls and bare feet.

Daisy reached out to tap the window, unable to believe her eyes. This had to be some kind of a trick, but how was it accomplished? And who would do such a thing?

“Can I help you, miss?”

Daisy whirled at the sound of the voice, her heart jumping into her throat. A kind looking middle-aged man stood in the doorway of the building, staring suspiciously at her.

Daisy collected herself. “I came about the job, sir.”

His expression relaxed into a smile. “All right then. Please, come in.”

Daisy started to follow him, then glanced back at the bank of windows. She sighed with relief when she saw that her reflection was once again wearing a skirt and blouse. Just my imagination.

This story received an honorable mention in:

ID: 1101926   (Rated: ASR) A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words Contest  Write a story in 1000 words or less to a given picture prompt. [Hiatus!] by iKïyå§ama