“I’m Noel, welcome to my costume shop. What can I do for you?” she says smiling at the beautiful young woman.
“Hello Noel. I am Serenity. I believe my sister called earlier, about a winter queen costume?”
A curious look enters the woman’s eyes and she smiles slowly. “How about some tea by the fireplace. Then you can you tell me more about what you are looking for?” Noel leads the way around some mannequins, and Serenity finds a pair of chairs with a small ottoman set up with a tea service all ready to enjoy.
“Lovely! It is starting to get really cold outside.” Serenity is buzzing with excitement as she removes her coat and settles into the chair. She tells Noel about her audition.
“So you are an actress?” Noel asks sipping her tea.
“No, not really. I am a singer that fell into acting. My first love is music, my favorite gig is the Children’s Hospital. I love spending time with the children, this will be my fourth year. I am hoping to use this costume for the audition, but I will also be visiting the local hospitals. I work with a local radio station collecting gifts, and distributing them. Last year, I dressed as a candy cane elf. The children loved it,” she says laughing.
Noel leans in and listens, watching the light enter the young girls face as she talks about the children. Serenity’s light blue eyes are lined with dark blue, and for a moment Noel catches a glimpse of snowflakes dancing in them. Shocked, she blinks and the illusion disappears.
“I think I have just the costume for you.” Noel rests her tea cup on the plate, “It is a vintage piece. I can rent it to you for the month. I would love for it to be used to bring joy to the children, and who knows what kind of job you might land with it.”
She disappears into a back room and returns carrying a large box, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string. Serenity smiles in excitement and for a moment time holds its breath, as Noel places the box on the cutting table.
“May I?” Serenity asks gesturing at the box.
“Please, open it.” Noel encourages her.
She slips the lid off the top and finds tissue paper covering the gown. “It’s like Christmas morning!” As she parts the paper, a gasp escapes from her lips. Serenity steps back and looks at Noel, “I, I, I can’t afford this! It’s exquisite!”
“It is! Just wait till you try it on,” Noel says laughing at her.
Serenity can’t help but stare in awe as she lifts it from the protective layer. It is heavy, she thinks as she pulls out a ball gown, worthy of any queen. Snow white, the gown seems to sparkle with unseen tinsel. Layers of chiffon, fall from the waist creating an illusion of clouds. The sleeveless bodice is crusted in tiny diamonds and the shoulders have what look like white wings, illuminating the neck and face. Serenity can’t believe her eyes.
“Noel? You can’t be serious, this looks like it belongs on a runway in New York, or Paris!”
“Look inside the box and you will find the boots and crown at the bottom. It is not a normal crown, Serenity. This one was custom designed from baby’s breath and diamonds. It gives the illusion of snow floating around the head, simply gorgeous,” she says lifting out the boxes from the bottom. “You can try it on in the fitting room behind you.” Gently, she guides the young woman into the dressing room.
With the packages clutched to her chest, she knows she can’t afford this costume, but she can’t seem to stop her feet from moving to the dressing room. “I will try it on, just for a moment,” Serenity whispers as she steps into the large curtained room.
“That’s what I said too,” Noel replies softly as she pulls the curtain closed.
Serenity looks around in a daze and puts her purse down. Her hands are trembling as she steps into the gown. To her astonishment, the bodice is stretchy and fits perfectly, as though the costume was cut to fit her five foot six frame. When she opens the box that hold the boots, she laughs at the white cowgirl boots in a size seven! They are lined in the same diamonds the bodice has. She carries the box with the crown back out to Noel, afraid for some reason to open it
Noel’s eyes go wide when Serenity steps out. “Oh, it’s a perfect fit!” she says clasping her hands together in delight.
“Is this some kind of joke? Did my sister put you up to this?” Serenity asks as her southern drawl begins to grow more pronounced. That is a distinct side effect to her emotions, whether extremely upset or happy.
“No, if it’s not to your taste, I’m sure I can find you something else. I have a lovely red velvet dress with white fur…”
“It’s perfect!” Serenity says excitedly, afraid that she will have to take it off.
“Every Queen needs a crown, come with me...” gently Noel guides Serenity to chair and clips her hair up, then secures the crown in place with pins.
“Okay, now you can look,” she says and pulls back a curtain revealing a wall length mirror.
“Ohhh…It’s perfect, Noel. How much? Never mind, I’ll take it! The children are going to be so excited and I’m sure to get the job! Ring it up!” Serenity says spinning around.
The bell rings on the front door as a gust of cold wind blows the through the shop. A little four year old brown haired boy runs inside, yelling, “Nana! Nana!”
Noel laughs as she scoops him up answering, “There is
