” She walks in beauty, like the night/ of cloudless climes and starry skies.”

I’m panicking. I am going to be so late. First, the dry cleaners can’t find my dress. About an hour later, they call me. They apologize. It was sent to the wrong store.

I have to drive forty minutes out of my way to pick it up. I jump in my car. As I pull out, I happen to notice a black Mitsubishi pulls out right behind me. Its headlights are shining into my eyes through the rearview mirror.  I adjust my mirror.

Forget about it. Forget about it. I tell myself. Oh well, it’s probably nothing.  God no, now I’m lost.  I pull over to the curb. It’s a terrible neighborhood. I ‘m afraid to get out of my car. Oh, an older woman walking her dog. I’ll ask her for directions.

 “And all that’s best of dark and bright/ Meet in her aspect and her eyes.”

“Excuse me, Madam, can you please tell me where Haggarty’s Cleaners is? I’ve gotten a little turned around?” She walks a bit closer to my car, but not too close.

“Yes, certainly you make a right turn onto West Avenue, then go down two blocks. It’s on the corner of 2^nd Avenue and Lake Avenue.”

“Thank you so much, have a good night.”

I’m about to pull out from the curb. I’m repeating the directions the woman gave me over and over in my head. I have absolutely no sense of direction. It’s so frustrating. As I  pull forward, I happen to notice what looks like the same gleaming black sedan in my rearview mirror. Huh, that’s weird. Is he following me? No that’s ridiculous. Still, I better keep my eyes open.

“Had half impaired the nameless grace.”

I berate myself. Why oh why did I leave the GPS in the other car? How stupid can you be? I see the street sign, 2^nd, and Lake Avenue. Thank god there it is. I’ll barely have time to run in, get my dress then stop at some fast food place and change in the lady’s room.

I’m running into the cleaners. My heart is pounding half out of my chest.  If I had time, I would give them a piece of my mind, but I don’t so I practically throw the money at the cashier and rush out the door.

 “Which waves in every raven tress.”

I rush over to my car. Crap I left my car keys on the counter in the cleaners. I practically fly to the door. I yank the door handle. It appears to be locked. But that can’t be true. I pull again. Nothing!

I feel as if I’m going to go stark raving mad. I bang as hard as I can on the door. Oh, thank the dear lord. Here comes the cashier to the door. She has a wicked look on her face. She is dangling my cars keys out temptingly. I pull the door. It’s still locked.

If there is a god in heaven, he will deliver me from this nightmare. The woman opens the door. She flings the keys out the door onto the sidewalk. She turns her back and flips me the bird as she struts away. Well, I can tell you right now, this is the absolutely the last time I will ever use this cleaner. That woman has a lot of nerve.

 “Where thoughts serenely sweet express/ How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.”

As I turn away from the door, I see out of the corner of my eye, a man in the darkness sitting in the black Mitsubishi. I think it’s a man. I can only see the tip of his lit cigarette glowing in the dark. What is he playing at? Is he following me?  I chastise myself. I’m getting paranoid in my old age. 

Just the same, I get myself back into the car, as quickly as possible. I click all the doors locked. I throw the plastic bag wrapped dress into the back seat. And I’m off. Off to find a place to change.

I pass a WaWa. No, that won’t do. Oh, here on my right at the next corner is a Taco Bell. I’ll go in their bathroom and change into my gown and my new $600.00 Ferragamo stilettos.

 “Heat whose love is innocent.”

I drive quickly into the Taco Bell parking lot. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be caught dead in such a low-class eatery. But I’m desperate. If I don’t show up on time for this event, it will be the death of me, as far as being invited to all the A events. I run through the door, practically knocking a toddler over in the process. Her mother gives me the finger. I ignore her. Peasant.

I push my way into the lady’s room and the empty stall. It smells like the last person that used this toilet, had one too many burritos. God help me, is there no end to what I must suffer in one day?

I pull my clothes off and slip on the sequined black Versace over my head. I take off my work shoes and slide my feet into my gorgeous Ferragamo’s. I step out into the bathroom and gaze at my reflection in the mirror. I run a comb through my hair and spritz on Chanel. I reapply Drop Dead Red lipstick to my lips. It makes my alabaster skin glow. I approve. I walk out of the bathroom.

All eyes are upon me. I can hardly blame them. I know I look magnificent. I glide out the door, and into my future.

 “Day denies.”

Those are the last words I hear as the stranger from the black Mitsubishi clobbers me on the head with a baseball bat and throws me into the filthy trunk of his car.

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