THE GIFT
Chapter I
Michael spent the day alone in his room, as was the custom. His mother left for a shopping spree with a friend. The thought of the woman’s daughter trying on different outfits to the oohs and ahs of the two older women cut a deep gash in his chest. Or it felt like one. Looking into the floor-length mirror, a tear rushed down a clear cheek. A deep sigh floated about the teen as a slim red strap eased its way down the boy’s bare shoulder.
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“I spent so much on this dress.” Michael shook shoulder length black hair sending it dancing about the slender shoulders. Michael inhaled through a flexing nose and gritted teeth. “I look pretty.” The words tore through his body as green eyes sent tears rushing past lower lids toward pale cheeks.
“Anyone would look so lovely in this. That’s what she said.” He yelled at his reflection. “She knew.” Michael bit a lower lip. “She knew.” The distraught young man took a breath. “She’s probably having a good laugh with her friends about the little…” Falling to his knees, “oh it’s so cute for the right figure.” The saleswoman let out a hearty laugh and continued. “That scoop neckline, hmm…”
“Stop, please stop.” The boy pressed harder on his ears to no avail. “Oh, and that open back. Those spaghetti straps along the back,” Michael’s hands moved to a tear soaked face. “So sexy,” the woman halted her descriptions and added one last comment. “How I wish I had the figure for it. And matching shoes.” Still covering his soaked eyes he could see the woman point to the shoe department. Another stinging comment could send him sprawling to the floor.
“My dear boy,” all Michael could see was a pair of thick black eyebrows robbing his vision. They sat above a flushed round face possessing a wide grin. “Do you know the shoe size of your girlfriend?” He quaked as the short chuckle from the woman sent a chill down his spine. “You know. The one you’re buying this for.”
The last statement felt as if a punch to the stomach. Michael dropped to the floor. The only sound, the failing muffle of deep sobs.
