Every morning, Amy watched the elderly man who was clearly love struck by the mannequin bride in the window. As tears rolled down his weathered cheeks, Amy wished she was more like her mum with a knack of talking to strangers and easing grief. Instead, she observed, paralyzed… a mannequin herself.
“How much for the woman in the window?” He asked.
“She’s not for sale. Only the dress.”
“When I saw my Audrey walking down the aisle, I was the happiest man alive. Now, there’s just me.”
Amy paused.
Somehow, she’d have to explain the missing mannequin to the boss.
….
100 words PHOTO PROMPT © John Nixon
I am thinking this story would suit a longer format…even to just 500 words. I see the occasional wedding dress in the opportunity or charity shops and it always makes me wonder how they got there. Why did someone pass them on? Naturally, the divorce rate doesn’t help, but if I was divorced, would I part with the dress even though I’d parted with the groom? An interesting question. Any thoughts?
This has been another contribution to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wishoff-Fields at https://rochellewisoff.com/ We’d love you to join us!
Meanwhile, I’m having quite a momentous week. I signed up for and have started an online freelance journalism course on Monday and tonight I was elected Vice President of the school Parents & Citizens Association (P& C). I’m not sure where all this is heading but I’m certainly extending myself.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
A lovely gesture. We chose a similar topic today, but while yours comes across as sweet, mine is altogether more sinister – I like that!
Aww, I love that spot of humanity. Well done.
This would be a great story, I was sunk at his tears. XXkat
Poor chap; love-struck by a mannequin who resembles his late wife. I hope Amy’s boss is a compassionate person. Nice write, Rowena.
Well done Amy, she brought a sad man joy.
What a week you are having, well done!
Thanks, Keith. I’m not sure whether you’ve come across a Facebook group called “The Kindness Pandemic”. It started up during covid lockdown and people post stories of kindness and they’re so encouraging. This story was my own, but there are thousands of stories like this where kindness overrides policy, unfamiliarity and inhibition. They’re so encouraging. Here’s a link to their website: https://www.thekindnesspandemic.org/ best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks, Penny. It was harder than usual to get what I wanted to say contained in the 100 word limit, especially with her giving him the mannequin at the end.
I’ve seen a documentary about people who have robots as partners. Indeed, people have married their robots. It’s all beyond my experience but its been hard for friends of mine to meet someone and have been single for a long time. II don’t know…
A heartfelt and kind story.
I have no ideas for explaining the lost mannequin, But great story.
As for your question on longer (short story), I would say most definitely. I couldn’t tell if you’ve read either Neil’s or Iain’s stories, but I would begin there..
Thanks, Bill. I haven’t read their stories yet. I’ve been reading magazines for my freelance journalism course and so far I am elucidated to the point of confusion. I’ll go and catch up now.
Best wishes,
Rowena
I wish you the best of luck, Rowena.
Love this, mine was a similar theme but yours has a happier ending 🙂
💕 How sweet. Absolutely love it.
Very good story. I’m glad the employee understands what’s important.
Thank you. I am hoping that the last couple of years during the pandemic have made people kinder and more compassionate. However, I was talking to our local police recently and they said people have become more rude. That’s been my recent observation too.
You’re welcome, Rowena.
She’s got a good heart. I think her boss’s reaction to the missing mannequin will depend on how much Amy asks the customer to pay for it. 😉
Good point, Margaret. I was thinking she might give it away but a reasonable price might be win win. After all, he was offering to pay.
Amy certainly showed herself to be far more than a mannequin. Lovely story.
Amy is such a kind-hearted sweetheart.
Their store doesn’t have CCTV! Else, Boss will know the charity that happened 🙂
Here’s my story-
Are You There? – Anita