Amanda Morrison was tired. More than tired. Depressed.
Life hasn’t gone the way she’d wanted it to. She was 40 years old, single, and stuck at a dead end job; a receptionist for a consulting company.
She looked into the mirror in the bathroom at work before she left for the day and sighed. Her same mousy brown hair. Ugly glasses. Too many wrinkles - and pounds. She had never been a supermodel, but she used to consider herself cute. Now, she just looked like a sad old lady. All she needed was a bunch of cats.
Just when she was about to leave, one of the receptionists came in - Becky Horowitz. Becky was everything Amanda envied. She was 24, a few years out of college. She’d started on an internship and now she was a receptionist, the same as Amanda - and making the same amount of money, even though Amanda had far more experience. Amanda realistically couldn’t be mad, since they’d started working there at the same time, but a part of her was definitely bitter.
Another thing she was bitter about - Becky was attractive. Skinny with a big bust. Professionally styled hair. And a huge engagement ring on her finger. Amanda felt a tinge of jealousy every time it shined in the light. Becky’s fiancée was a big shot at another company, and Becky was essentially working here for the benefits until she got married.
But what bothered Amanda the most was that Becky was sweet. If she was a bitch, it’d be so much easier to hate her. But Becky was genuinely kind and always looking out for everyone. Amanda had trained Becky at the job, and Becky had been trying to “make up for it” ever since.
“Amanda! Hi! Heading out?” Becky said, with a blinding smile.
“Yes, I’m just heading home. Thank God it’s Friday, right?” Amanda said with a forced smile.
“For sure! Anyway, me and some of the other girls were gonna have a lady’s night tonight. Head down to Murphy’s, have a couple drinks, maybe go bar hopping after. Wanna come?” Becky asked.
Amanda sighed internally. Becky always wanted to buy her drinks. Amanda really didn’t want to drink with any of them.
“I think I’m alright, sweetie. I have to get home. You have fun, though, okay?” Amanda said. “Not like you’d want an old hag like me there anyway.” She thought to herself.
“Alright, well, if you change your mind, you can always meet us there, okay? Just text me!” Becky said, with an even bigger smile.
“Sure thing, hon. Enjoy yourself! And tell everyone I said hi.” Amanda said, quickly leaving.
Becky sighed. “I wish she’d come out with us. She’s always by herself.” She thought to herself.
******
Amanda got off the train near her apartment and started her short walk home. However, a store caught her eye on the way there.
“Magic Shop, huh? I don’t remember seeing this here before.” She said to herself. There was no one else there, despite the stores surrounding it being packed to the gills. “In fact, I remember this being a lot not too long ago…”
However, one look into the window and Amanda was sold. Knick knacks as far as the eye could see. She loved antiques.
Amanda walked inside, a bell announcing her entrance. “There’s no way this could've been a lot. This store looks like it’s been here for a hundred years. I must’ve just missed it.” She thought.
“Looking for anything in particular?” A voice said, shocking Amanda.
“Oh, oh no. Just browsing. Thank you.” Amanda said, turning to see a cute shopkeeper, a woman in her early 20s.
“Ah, most people do. The items in this store have a way of calling out to those who need them.” The shopkeeper said. “Come to the counter when you’re finished and I’ll see to it that you’re completely satisfied with your purchase.”
“Okay, thank you. I’ll do that.” Amanda said. “What an odd way of speaking for such a young woman.” She thought to herself.
The shopkeeper flashed a smile and walked over to the counter as Amanda browsed the store.
Nothing was speaking to her until she went deep into the back. Under clearance items, she found a tacky old motorcycle helmet. Now, Amanda knew it was tacky, knew she wouldn’t typically buy it, and most of all - knew she didn’t ride motorcycles. And yet, it… spoke to her, just as the shopkeeper had said.
She brought the helmet up to the counter.
“Ah, this is an antique, most certainly. I think you’ll make a lovely home for it… Amanda.” The shopkeeper said.
Amanda recoiled slightly. “How… how did you know my name?”
“Why, you know mine, too, don’t you? I believe we introduced ourselves when you came in.” Veronica said.
Amanda clutched her head. “Ah, you’re… you’re right, Veronica. I’m not sure what’s going on today. My head feels a bit fuzzy.”
“That’s quite alright. Tell you what, since we’re friends, I’ll let you take this old thing off of me for nothing. If you have any problems, just call the store. I mean, you’re such a frequent customer, we may as well call this a rewards program gift.” Veronica said.
Amanda blinked. She did love this store, spending lots of her time and money here.
“Are you sure Veronica? I can pay you, I mean I don’t want to…”
“Love, it’s quite alright. Take the helmet. It’s on clearance anyways, I’ve been trying to sell it for centuries!” Veronica said with a laugh.
Amanda laughed back. “Okay, if you insist. I’ll come back and buy something else, okay?”
“Of course you will, sweetie. I’ll see you soon.” Veronica said, with a wicked smile. Amanda could’ve sworn she saw her eyes turn an unnatural green, if only for a second. However, she had such a deep trust for her friend that she figured she was just seeing things.
“Bye bye, now. Come back soon!” Veronica said, after bagging up the helmet.
Amanda waved as she left. She was so glad to have a friend like Veronica.
Soon, she reached her apartment. Looking at the helmet, she found a panel on the back. Popping it open, she found various switches and controls, but the letters had long been worn down…