(This story is part of the
Amorous Goods, A Lit Anthology Series
.)
Prologue:
A lifelong collector of goods and objects from far and wide has passed and left the entire collection and the business built around them to the only remaining relative, a niece on a career path of her own. Vikki has taken on the task of administering the estate and liquidating the business and collection. However, she has come to find out that many of the goods have been cursed or enchanted with amorous powers that affect those who encounter them. These are the stories of some of those encounters with objects found at Amorous Goods.
*********
I saw the guitar in the window and something drew me to it. I've walked down Main Street in our town a hundred times and I'd never noticed the store before, so I went in to check it out.
There were all sorts of trinkets and old used goods laying around, but that guitar called to me.
There wasn't anything special about it, it was old, clearly used, and looked like it's best days were long past.
"Hi," said the shopkeeper. "Go ahead and check it out."
"Thanks," I said as I took the guitar off of its stand. "Can you tell me anything about it?"
"Not really," She answered. "As you can see it's old, and the name has long worn off of it so I can't even tell you what brand it is."
I strummed the strings and was surprised that it was in tune. I played around with it, and I knew that I had to have it. The tone was so deep and rich. The nylon strings sounded new and soundhole picked up every nuance from their vibration.
"How much do you want for it?"
"$200."
I didn't balk at the price. Knowing guitars as I do, it sounded amazing and was a bargain at that price.
"Sold," I said handing her my credit card.