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and for a moment thought
the mannequin’s were real people.
I wondered why they were
stuck behind the glass.
Then it occurred to me
what they were, that
they weren’t real,
no matter how lifelike
they looked. I was about to
keep walking when one of
the mannequin’s winked at me.
I stared, thinking I had
imagined it. She was pretty,
with a short blond bob,
her eyes covered with
blue eye shadow that
made her grey eyes sparkle.
She winked at me again
and one of her fingers
wiggled at me, telling me
to come closer. Swallowing
my fear, I went into the store.
It smelled of honeysuckle
and roses. A kindly woman
stood behind the counter.
How may I help you sir?
Her voice was like music
and had a lilt to it that
I couldn’t recognize.
I’m sorry, this is going to sound nuts, but-
One of the ladies winked at you, didn’t they?
She said this with a smile,
as if it were an everyday occurrence.
How did you know?
Oh, they wink at people who need the most assistance.
What kind of assistance?
Oh, all kinds of things. Lost keys, lost hearts, lost dreams. Which one was it that winked at you?
I turned and looked at
the mannequins and pointed
at the one with the blonde bob.
It was her.
Oh, Estelle! She helps those seeking love! She’s delightful. If she’s brought you in here, it won’t take long now. She’s very good.
What do you mean?
Watch.
A man was walking by the store
and stopped just as I had. He looked
at the blonde haired mannequin, Estelle,
and I watched as she crooked a finger at him.
He was tall with sandy coloured hair
and soft blue eyes. I saw him blink
in surprise and then look at the store.
How does she know he’s someone I’ll fall in love with? Are the mannequins alive?
The woman laughed and it was a sound
that reminded me of the tinkling of bells.
If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.
Try me.
Magic.
I laughed. Magic? Really?
She smiled. There are all kinds of magic. You just have to be open enough to receive them.
The bell above the door jangled
as the man entered the store.
When he looked at me, a spark
passed between us. It zapped
through the air and heat ran
along my body.
See? She said.
Magic.