Thank God for a week of sea days before we reach our first port of call, whatever and wherever that may be. Just like l’Enchanteur to book us on a year long cruise and give no itinerary except Lemuria. She thrives on mystery, but I have to say, she’s generous to a fault. It was wonderful of her to let me bring both Henry and Molly; said she remembered them fondly from the old Soul Food Cafe.
I insisted they both sleep late today. They’ve been over whelmed by all the excitement and glamor of sailing day and the Gala on E-Deck. So have I, for that matter, but I haven’t been homeless, living in an abandoned theater for years. Hope all this excitement doesn’t undo their meds.
I nearly made a grab for those meds, myself, when we unpacked! Molly and I had already emptied the suitcases with all the deck and sightseeing outfits. At my age I tend toward elastic waists and comfortable footwear. Molly had lined up my shoes on the closet floor, tucked nightgowns and undies in the dresser and hung my robe behind the bathroom door. I handed Henry the key to the trunk, thinking Molly could fluff out the cocktail dresses and hang them in the closet while I put the jewelry away.
Suddenly Molly uttered an unintelligible whimper and Henry began to stammer, the way he always does when he gets nervous. “M-m-m-must’a g-g-got the trunks mi-mi-mixed up.”
He reached for the baggage tag, which was still attached and held it up. It read Barbara/Believer/porchsitter–S.S. Vulcania–Sailing 12th Night 2009–Lemurian Waters’ Suite–B-10. Both of them stood stock still, mouths agape with looks of total disbelief on their faces.
And so did I.
These were not dresses for women of “a certain age,” not the ones we we’d gone shopping for in the women’s department and packed in the old steamer trunk. No plus sizes here, no long sleeved, high necked affairs made to hide aging arms and shoulders, no shirring to camouflage a bulging stomach and wide hips. These dresses had scoop or v-necks that didn’t plunge, but certainly dipped, waistlines nipped to accommodate a slender 24 inches, skirts that flared and barely skimmed the knee. Hanging in the upright trunk, red chiffon billowed, black taffeta rustled and flowered silks fluttered. And the Emilio Puccii dazzled!
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but I did know I had to reassure my assistants? helpers? surely NOT servants! that they were not at fault for this strange happening.
“Lemuria is “timeless,” I began. Remember I told you we might meet Oreo and Tookie? My pets passed away two years ago, but in Lemuria time works differently. That must be what happened to the dresses. The trunk is very old and we took it on many cruises. These are the dresses I wore as a girl on the Brasil and Nieuw Amsterdam and other ships. Remember, Molly, I told you about the Pucci.”
Molly stepped forward to gently touch the sensuous fabric. Henry looked bewildered, but calmer.
“Wh-wh-wh-what will you wear?” he asked.
“Oh.” The realization hit and tears sprang to my eyes. Not one of the beautiful illusions would fit my heavy, matronly figure.
Molly put her hands out and made a shooing notion to Henry, then when he didn’t move, propelled him to the door and gave him a pat, as she closed the door. She returned to the trunk, carefully lifted the Pucci from its hanger and held it out. I shook my head but her eyes refused to waver, so slipping off my bulky velour top and slacks, I let her slide the dress over my head. I put my arms through and was surprised to feel the silky fabric float down and cling in all the familiar places. When Molly pointed to the mirror. I gasped in disbelief.
I hadn’t worn a size ten in thirty years, but the dress fit perfectly!
Strange things have happened to me on Lemurian adventures but none so personal as this;there’s never been this kind of physical transformation before. Could I trust my senses?
Holding my breath and closing my eyes, I prayed “Please don’t let this be a cruel and grotesque joke.”
When I opened them an instant later to look at my face in the glass I sighed in relief and my heart said, “Even if this is just for tonight–thank you.”
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