Stranger

I was on my way to a boutique. Not that I would ever shop there myself but I was getting a gift for a friend of mine. She was more of a friend of a friend really but I guess a party is a party. The sidewalk I was walking on was cold and covered with salt. It was the dead of winter.

I arrived at the boutique and quickly went inside to escape the cold. The store was full of trendy women’s clothes hanging from chains and whatever else would look impractical. I glanced at the woman behind the counter. I felt a little embarrassed for being in a women’s clothing store and so I just nodded and walked by her. I realized that I should probably say something to her to kill any confusion I thought she might have.

"I’m just looking for a gift for this girl I know."

The girl left the counter and walked over to me. It was then that I noticed something about her. She looked just like a girl I used to know. It might have been her, but I wasn’t sure. I felt it would be awkward to come right out and ask. Luckily we were the only two in the store.

"Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"I’m not really sure. I just know she comes here a lot. I see bags from this place in her house all the time."

She started to lead me to a section of more revealing clothes. I felt I should make things a little clearer.

"She isn’t my girlfriend."

The words changed the atmosphere in the place a little. She gave me a little smile like she was amused at my outburst.

"I just mean if I got her something like that it would be a little weird. I actually know her boyfriend. That’s how I know her."

She laughed slightly and I wasn’t sure whether she was imagining me giving my friend the gift with the boyfriend there, or if she thought I was funny. I was beginning to notice how similar she looked to the girl I used to know. I remember that girl lived around here so it could be her. I just wasn’t sure though. It had been years since I’d seen her. Maybe she didn’t recognize me after the years or maybe she was choosing not to. I didn’t want to be the one to put myself out, but maybe she was thinking the same thing.

"Do you think she’d like something like this?"

She had produced a sweater with the name of some designer on the shoulder. In my wondering I guess she took it upon herself to pick something out and get me the hell out of there.

"Yeah, I think she’d like that."

I had no idea whether she’d like it or not. I didn’t find any of the clothes she wore appealing and this sweater fell into that category. So I guess she’d most likely enjoy it.

"What size is she?"

"I don’t know."

"Is she like me?"

With that she tilted her back slightly and ran her hand down, just skimming, her side. The movement forced me to take notice of her body. She was beautiful in words I couldn’t quite describe. It would take a lifetime to take in all the beauty she had, but my second was up.

"Yeah, I’d say she has a similar body."

I didn’t even know what I said, and she laughed again. I didn’t think I’d be able to speak with my foot already halfway to my stomach.

"Do you want me to try it on?"

I wasn’t sure if this was usual or just for me.