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chapped and raw from scraping her teeth over it, a habit that
appeared whenever she was feeling nervous or uncomfortable.
Well, she had been feeling weird all day….
She ran her tongue over her lips, wishing that she had
brought some Chapstick. Maybe once she found Amanda, she
could borrow some. She pulled back from the mirror, and her
eyes fell upon something else reflected in the glass. A woman in
a white dress, standing right behind her.
Maggie did not know if she had screamed. The crash, at
least, must have alerted a sales associate, who was by Maggie’s
side before Maggie had the chance to pick up herself or the man-
nequin that had broken her fall.
“Ma’am, are you alright?”
Maggie’s breath was coming in short, painful gasps.
“Who…?”
But the only other person there was the associate, who was
looking down at Maggie with great concern. Maggie drew a
steadying breath and allowed the associate to help her to her feet.
“I’m okay, I just tripped…I’m so sorry about that, I’m normally
not so clumsy….”
The woman almost looked amused. “Not a problem, Ma’am.
These things happen. No harm done.”
Together they righted the mannequin, and the associate
smoothed the layers of its shimmering silvery white organza
gown.
“There we are, back on her feet again!” The associate shot
Maggie a sunshine smile, but its warmth barely quelled the
feverish shiver that tugged on each of Maggie’s nerves. “Now
that you’re back on your feet too, is there anything I can help
you with?”
Maggie fought to keep her voice even. “Actually, I was
looking for my friend. She was in the dressing room last I saw,
but I can’t seem to find....”
“Well, you were heading in the right direction! Just keep on

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