I reeled off more toilet paper and shoved it into the bra cup. "How in the world did women stuff their titties into these things," I mumbled to myself.
"I'd say you're going to need more TP." I jumped, the roll flew across the floor, leaving a white wake across the shop.
"You startled me." I retrieved the roll, noticing the car parked at the curb in front of my shop. "Can I help you with anything?"
I often had men come in to ogle the vintage lingerie, unique to today's undies. It was more, dare I say, titillating. Teasing. Lingerie from back then left a little mystery and I found many men preferred it. I'm sure many a man's fantasy came to life in my shop.
"My wife is at a meeting down the street and I thought I'd check out the town."
Typical for Florida, the day was warming up and it was time to close the door and fire up the air conditioning. I had noticed the perfectly coiffed woman step out of the silver blue Bentley. Coiffure. It's such an old unused word, but sometimes it's just fitting. Queen Elizabeth has a coiffure, and so did his wife, but hers was blonde over-dyed silver.
"Small town in the center of the state. March rodeo is our claim to fame. Besides the antique shops of course." My shop was right in the center of the antique shops that lined the block. People came from both coasts for a day of 'antiquing'. "We have some pretty good restaurants you might want to check out for lunch."
Although Mrs B might have other plans that involved the cocktail crowd, I mused.
I finished stuffing the bullet bra and placed the mannequin in the window. Popular with the sweater girls back in the day, they created quite a projection. A pointy projection most assuredly.
"You enjoy what you do," he said, eyes skimming my clothing. Although I'd put my long hair up into moon buns, I was all 70s. Low on the hips palazzo pants and a deep scoop midriff top. Of all I think I love the 70s best. It was a time of free spirit and everything was sensual. Clothing was tight, low cut and often flamboyant. As was my pink and orange outfit.
"I do, yes. I'm lucky to make a living at what I love." Vintage clothing was more lucrative than most people would think. I started out doing online auctions and got a following because I was open minded and understood everyone has different needs. I've never been judgmental, live and let live, and my auction following has come along for the ride. Many make side trips on their Florida vacations to come to the shop. For those that wouldn't be comfortable trying on clothes, I had my upstairs apartment. I understood fetish and interests that weren't mainstream. I have all ages as my customers really, pin ups, goth girls, role play, mid century modern is hot today as is the cocktail crowd.
"I did," he said, fingering a vintage cashmere sweater, "But I'm ready to retire and enjoy my life's labor."
"They would have worn that over that bullet bra," I said. We both envisioned that at the same time and cracked up.
The Bentley chirped and Mrs B's perfect coiffure appeared and disappeared into the car. With apparently no care as to where her husband might be.
"Looks like you're leaving," I laughed.
"I'd say! By the way, I'm Ben, and you're....?"
"Rose," I replied, and poof he was gone.
"That was one powerful man," I said to my sister Lily on the phone later that evening.
"Like a weight lifter?"
"Noooooo. Like business powerful."
"Oh. Is he good looking? How old is he? He's married?! Wonder if you'll see him again?"
"Geez Lily. Yes he is good looking. I don't know... Older. Married yes. Why would I see him again? He was there with his wife on her business."
"Well crap Roz, I thought maybe you found him," stressing the word HIM. Her nickname for me because as a kid she had trouble pronouncing my name.
I had Lily on speakerphone while I went through a new lot of clothing for the store. I held up a sky blue 60s sheath dress with matching topper and wondered if Ben would like that. "What am I thinking?!"
"What? About what," Lily asked. "Ohhhhh wait. You ARE thinking about him aren't you. He really must have been hot."
"I'm nearly 30," I said slipping the dress over my head. "He had to have been late 50s," I grunted, twisting to pull up the size zipper.
"So?! Like you never see age differences in couples?! May December? DILF daddies I'd like to fuck?"
The full length mirror showed that this could have been custom made for me. They sky blue color perfect with my eyes. "Yes I have noticed, but I'm guessing one of them isn't married to someone else?!" I said exasperated at the whole subject that was really a non subject. "Hey Lil, wait'll you see this new sheath with topper I just got in. It's pretty damn cool!"
"Whatever!" My little sister was married with a baby and thought I should be at least as far along in life as her. In her opinion I was lagging.
"Ben isn't datable, Lily. Don't you get it. He's married! He was a customer! Beginning and end of story," I said in an end of story voice while I stashed that dress in my own closet.
Our local business owners breakfast was that following week. It was spring and many of the areas seasonal visitors were heading back to the northern states. The dollars were less, but it was always fun having the locals come back. Many of them stayed home during season because of traffic and crowds. We were less affected here in our little town because most of the seasonals lived in nearby cities and would make us a day trip. That worked well for everyone concerned.
Trying to balance my coffee, paperwork and get the door open, I saw 'the coif' in the window reflection. I hadn't noticed the Bentley so he must not be with her this time, I thought, sighing. Oh well. There was still had time to freshen up before I flipped to the open sign. I left my coffee in the shop and ran up the back stairs. I loved having my home above the shop.
Women in the old days were smaller than today's women, so some of the vintage clothes were not perfect for today's woman. Fortunately my five foot three inch frame was petite. Mostly. Though far from well endowed my bust was often a tight fit. This sundress squeezed a lot of deep breast valley in the strapless top. The full skirt with petticoats kept my excess cleavage to a demure level. Suitable for a business owner. Candy pink lips, a bit of blush and tiny red wedge sandals completed my look for the day.
Grabbing a pair of earrings I ran down the steps to find Mr B with his hands cupped to the door window, looking as though he was searching for life. I laughed.
"You're an early bird!" I opened the door and flipped the open sign.
"I guess I am," he grinned. "You're looking very retro today, Rose. The red suits you and your name."
My cheeks went crimson, blushing not easily hid because of my creamy white complexion. Like a schoolgirl I fiddled with my hair which I'd left down today. It flowed well down over my bare shoulders, jet black, thick with waves.
"It should be illegal to be that cute," he smiled at my blush, which only deepened.
"Thank you," I said sincerely. "And you. You're pretty cute yourself! Oh but I guess I shouldn't call a man cute??!!" I laughed. It was his turn to blush, though not as apparent on his deeply tanned skin.
I wanted to say delicious, but no way was I that brave. His hair glittered with silver interspersed with black and dark gray. And green eyes. Had I ever known anyone with green eyes? I'd surely have remembered. He wore a pale blue polo shirt and cream colored shorts, pretty typical apparel for a Florida guy. He was impeccably groomed. Delicious. Yes.
I realized I'd been staring at him. "So what brings you to town today? Your wife have a meeting?"