All characters are fictional and 18 years or older.
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Ryan walked around town to find something for his mother's birthday, he didn't have or wanted to spend a ton of cash on her as they weren't that close to begin with. His mom developed a bitchy attitude ever since he started working. But she was still his mother and he still did love her.
Ryan was just out of high school and had a job at the local gym. The pay was poor, but he got to use all the exercise equipment that he wanted to, as long as he wasn't working at the time, which also helped to keep his young 20 year old body firm.
He never had any trouble dating any girl he went after. His dark hair and brown eyes made him look quit handsome. But Ryan developed a taste for the more mature women once he started at the gym, and with all the older women trying to stay toned, he didn't have much trouble getting his fill.
That didn't go over well with Lisa, Ryan's mother. At 38 she looked more like 28, but felt like she was 48, if that makes any kind of sense. Lisa didn't care for Ryan chasing women her age and older. But he was an adult now and she knew she couldn't stop it.
Lisa's appearance wasn't the only thing that looked 28, her body did also, her size c chest and slim waist were in perfect proportion to her 5 foot 6 height. Lisa's long dark hair and blue eyes were the envy of all her friends.
Lisa and Ryan were the only family they had; Ryan's dad had died in a car crash just before his 19th birthday, leaving him and his mom to fend for themselves. The insurance he had did help, but the policy wasn't large enough to set them up for life, they both had to work to make ends meet.
As Ryan walked around, he eyed a strange store with a bunch of odd looking things in the window. He figured that it wouldn't hurt if he took a look around, maybe something might spark his interest. And besides how expensive could any of that stuff be, it all looked used.
As Ryan entered the store a bell chimed above his head.
Wow, how old fashioned is that,
he thought.
The place almost didn't look like it was open; it was kind of dark with a bunch of old incandescent lights that dangled from the ceiling. Large rows of metal storage selves were throughout the place and the wooden floors were all dusty and squeaked with every step he took.
"May I help you?" A voice cried out from behind a slate top counter.
Ryan turned to face a very old man. He looked ancient to Ryan, maybe 70 or older, his hair was all white and he was hunched over a little. He reminded Ryan of an old shoe cobbler.
"Just wanted to take a look around if that's okay." Ryan said.
"Anything in particular you looking for."
"I'm not sure. My mom's birthday is coming up and I wanted to get her something."
"A gift for your mom you say. Well tell me son, you and your mom close"
What kind of a question is that to ask,
Ryan thought to himself?
"I'm sorry if I seem to be prying, it would just make it easier for me to help you if I knew what kind of a relationship you have, I might be able to figure out what type of gift to suggest. "
"Not very close at all, as a matter of fact I think it's gotten worse since dad died."
"Oh I'm very sorry for your loss son. As a matter of fact I lost my mother a couple of years ago so I kind of know what it's like to lose a loved one."
"Well thank you but dad and I weren't close at all, as a matter of fact, I use to be closer to mom, well until then."
"So you think maybe your mom changed after your dad passed away."
"Maybe, I don't know."
"Well I might have just the thing, but I have to go upstairs and dig it out. I'll be right back, can you watch the place for me while I'm gone."
Ryan really didn't want to, but the gentleman did seem genuinely interested about finding a gift for his mom.
"Okay no problem."
"Thanks I'll be right down."
And the old man walked over to an old storage elevator and left.
Ryan listened as he heard the cables going up the elevator shaft. He heard the elevator door creak open and herd the old man walking around above him. Ryan listened as it seemed like the old man was moving something that was big.
The elevator door creaked shut and he heard the old man coming back down. The door opened and he watched as the old man made his way closer to him, as he carried a large object covered with a sheet.
The old man uncovered the object and this large oval sized mirror was staring at Ryan. The edges of the mirror were gold with leaf carvings completely encircling it. The back was flat and was gold colored also. The mirror was attached to a gold base that looked like a pair of lion's feet.
"Well there she is son. I think your mother is going to love this."
Ryan didn't want to hurt the old man feelings, not after all the work he knew the guy put into digging this out for him.
"Errr thanks mister, but I was looking for something a bit smaller for her."
"Son listen to me. If you want your relationship back to the way it use to be with your mom, this is your answer. Do you know what this is?"
"Um yeah it's a mirror."
"No it's not a mirror, it's a looking glass. But it's not just a regular looking glass either, it has special abilities."
Ryan now figured the guy must be a nut job, special abilities, he just had to ask.
"What special abilities."
"I know what you're thinking son, this guy is a flake, but trust me, I had a similar problem with my mom in my youth. I got her this looking glass and it changed our lives forever. But before I let you have this, you have to promise me something first."
"What's that."
"When the time is right, I need you to smash it apart."
"You want me to break this mirr.. I mean looking glass?"
"Yes, and bury it someplace that no one will ever find it again."
"And when will I know the right time."
"You'll know it when you set it, do he have a deal."
Ryan thought long and hard , but figured the best way out was not having enough money, it had to be very expensive.
"I guess so, so how much is it any ways?"
"It's my gift to you. I was given this by a man that helped me and my mom so very long ago; it's my turn to return the favor."
Ryan was now getting interested in what the gentleman was saying. Maybe this wasn't bullshit.
"So why didn't you smash the mirror."
Ryan waited for an answer; the old man looked like he was deep in thought.
"Because I was weak. I wish I did, things might have turned out different. I miss her so much now."
Ryan felt the pain that was emanating out of the old man. Ryan wished he had a bond that close.
Maybe I should give this mirror thing a try, Ryan pondered, what's the worst that could happen, his mom not like the gift.
"Okay I guess we have a deal, but I'm going to need someone to help me get this home."
"Nope, I'll gift-wrap it and have it delivered to your address."
Ryan agreed and gave the old man his address. As he left the store he took one look back at the old man and thought, I hope there's some truth to this looking glass thing, I would love to get back to being close to mom.
The next day, Lisa was home doing her daily chores, when the door bell rang, she walked over and glanced out the side window. Standing at the doorway were two gentlemen with a large crated package.
Lisa opened the door and greeted the men.
"May I help you"
"Yes we have a package here for a Lisa Simmons."
"That's me. Who's this package from."
"It doesn't say ma'am, I just need your signature right here." And he handed Lisa the clip board for her to sign.
They brought the package into the living room and removed the crate. Lisa could see the item was still quit large and was wrapped like a present, there was a card on the side that said happy birthday from Ryan.
Lisa couldn't believe her son went through all this trouble for her birthday present. But she was giggling to herself in excitement as to what it might be. Lisa pondered over the idea of maybe opening it up early. But decided against it, if her son put this much into it, she had to wait and let him see her surprised look.
Ryan showed up at home an hour later, he was exhausted from work. The normal lady that did the fitness class had called in sick and Ryan had to step in and do her routine. All he wanted to do was take a shower and crash.
Lisa ran up to her son and have him a big hug. Ryan had to do a double take, his mom hasn't done this in years.
"Thank you honey for the present. It arrived awhile ago."
"Listen Mom don't get too excited over this, I'm not even sure if you're going to like it or not."