Summer girl

Steven Baird

She was a summer girl, ambling through the mazes, the clatter of plastic hangers and low-hanging blouses, everything different enough to be different but the same. Last year’s colors, or the year before, faded, bruised and repaired with soap and stitches and the smeared drift of magazine perfume. Novelty T’s and rhinestoned skirts for that country girl look, ragged gypsy blouses, semi-transparent for the middle-aged trailer moms on the go. Piled denim on wobbly tables, desperately faded, hills and valleys of blue, blue youth, blue discomposure, the petites and the plus-sizes cohabiting as if it didn’t matter. Colors, so many colors, but blurred and watery, filmy as laundry water, all marked-down, dollar-day-discounted. She sorted through the pillars of denim, and a fat woman with Big Mac hands and a rumpled frown elbowed her to pluck the last pair of skinny jeans from her hands. But there were still plenty of summer skirts, and so she moved on, feeling like a plundered summer dream.

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22 thoughts on “Summer girl”

  1. amoodindigosoul May 27, 2016 / 11:39 am

    It was a short read but I felt a myriad of emotions from start to finish.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Laura (Createarteveryday) May 27, 2016 / 12:32 pm

    Seriously, your writing is so evocative and so, so good, Stephen. I am art-obsessed and follow very few writers but your stuff is great. Don’t ever stop.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. augustmacgregor May 27, 2016 / 12:54 pm

    I pictured a used clothing store, with the faded clothing carrying many stories. Of course, the biggest story is in the main character, as to her past that brought her here, and why she feels like a plundered dream. Your details evoke a larger story than this short piece, and that’s a fantastic write.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Tanya Cliff May 27, 2016 / 3:56 pm

    Awesome use of layering here, Steven: of clothes, of emotions, of life.

    I love this piece, and you’ve left me wanting more…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Steven Baird May 27, 2016 / 11:18 pm

      Thanks, Tanya. I woke up with it… who knows why?…and had to write it while it was still fresh. I may incorporate some of it in a larger project. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
    • Steven Baird May 27, 2016 / 11:20 pm

      Thanks so much, Alvarado, and for the tweets. It’s very appreciated. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  7. D. Wallace Peach May 28, 2016 / 5:07 am

    Rich imagery, Steven. I could picture it perfectly. I love the “smeared drift of magazine perfume.” I used to wear that as a teenager.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Steven Baird June 7, 2016 / 9:24 pm

      Thanks, dear. I’ve missed you too. 🙂 I read your post in my email (looks like you took it down from your site?). My, you’ve had a tumultuous four months. I’m so glad that the cancer was kicked firmly in the ass. It’s about time something good happened… not good, but great! It sounds like you’re pushing the boundaries of discovering yourself… what you want, self-determination and -definition. It’s a lifelong process, and I think the best thing anyone can do is stay on the good side of turmoil. If that makes sense. And hey, it really is good to hear from you. I was wondering how things were going for you. And I think you’re right… something big is ahead for you. Keep your head up and stay proud of who you are. Pretty remarkable, I’d say.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • t.dot June 7, 2016 / 9:30 pm

        It’s been a ride! Lost for words at the moment…but thank you soooo much for yours!!! 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      • Steven Baird June 7, 2016 / 9:38 pm

        I don’t blog as frequently as I used to, but I always check my emails and my favorite blog sites. So keep in touch when you can! I wanna know. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • t.dot June 7, 2016 / 10:20 pm

        Wow! Just got caught up with your missed posts (hence the floodgates of “likes” you just received lol!) and I can not begin to tell you how incredibly talented you are Steven. Such rich quality to your writing, stunning depths of character portrayal and all the senses light up with your magical prose and lazy seduction of the mind. You are a storyteller…and I will read you always. Much respect. Inspired 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      • Steven Baird June 7, 2016 / 11:32 pm

        I’m very humbled. Thank you for that, and for all your ‘likes’… it’s appreciated more than I can say, and I’m very grateful. And pleased. Writing is always a struggle because I want to to be as real and honest as I can, and it can be exhausting. Not complaining, though. It’s also one of those things that keep me moderately sane. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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