(I'll try tomorrow, I promise, but a lot of pressure now, wouldn't want to disappoint all of you. Anyway, here's today's drabble...)
The Flea Market
(July 2000)
Cassie stared at the blue glass vase. It was shimmering and sparkling in the summer sun. But then she put it down. “Not a bargain for fifteen dollars” she said to herself. She was about to pick up a plate, painted with flowers in all colors, but suddenly she felt a sharp jolt. She turned around.
A woman was standing right next to her, with long auburn hair with a few strands of grey. “Oh, sorry” the woman said.
Cassie stared at her. Suddenly a long ago day flashed in her mind. “I remember you” Cassie said. “Your…..your…..oh my lord, your Alma, right? Ennis Del Mar’s daughter.”
Alma Jr. stared right back at her. “Do I know you?” she asked, as the people walked around them in the crowded flea market, in the parking lot of the church.
“Yeah, Cassie….. Cassie Cartwright. Don’t you remember?”
Suddenly a light came into Alma Jr.’s worn, sad eyes. “Yes, I do. That sure was a long time ago.”
“Yes it was” Cassie said. “Imagine meeting you here, so far away…. what a surprise! How are you?”
“Good” Alma Jr. said, with the shadow moving back over her face.
“Your….. Daddy?” Cassie asked hesitantly.
“Um…uh… good.” Alma Jr. replied, then she looked all around at the crowd. “Listen, nice to see you, I gotta go” she said, not looking at Cassie’s eyes.
“Yeah, nice to see you” Cassie said. She watched as Alma Jr. was joined by a couple of teenagers, and then they disappeared into the crowd.
Cassie turned back to the table and picked up the plate. Then she put it down, and walked on to the next table, as dark clouds passed over the sun.