Happy Just Because Day

“86 degrees and we’re supposed to be thankful it's cooler?” Morgan paused and looked in the shop window of the dark little store on the town square. She was stranded, waiting for the car repairs to be finished, and the relative darkness inside the shop seemed to beckon with coolness. “Antiques and Rarities, Consignments,” she read. That could be interesting. Browsing would definitely be worth it to cool off for a bit.

She stepped up to the worn, white door and pushed it open. A cowbell rang to announce her presence as she came in, seemingly the only person in the shop. Particles of dust danced in the shafts of sunlight that filtered through from the small openings where the windows weren’t shaded. The shop held lovely old furniture, the walls lined with bookcases, breakfronts, vanities, and buffets. Everything was covered with mostly china and a limited amount of silverware. There were dolls under glass bells, and toys tucked around the legs of the furniture all through the shop.

Morgan wandered through the shop, wide-eyed and with delight. It was quite some time before she noticed the small woman behind the counter in the back of the store. She appeared small and kind of dusty, herself. She had mousy silver-brown hair and wore glasses perched halfway down her nose. Her attention seemed to be thoroughly rapt in a magazine or catalog that was laid out on a glass showcase. Her tan sweater seemed to fade into the background of the shop and disappear. She gave no sign of even recognizing that Morgan had even entered the store. Morgan kind of tilted her head and looked sideways at the china on the dresser beside her. It was a lovely vintage rose pattern. She began to wonder if there were any dishes with an art deco theme.

She stood there studying the dishes on top of a beautiful, mahogany, Queen Anne highboy chest with a reflecting mirror leaning on top of the unit. She suddenly suffered a heavy, stabbing attack across her shoulders. At the same time that she turned to find out what was going on, a large, heavy, tortoiseshell-calico cat rowr’d to the floor, and continued on through the store, unconcerned.

“Miri!” Scolded the woman from behind the counter. She came bustling out from around the display and addressed Morgan. “Are you all right? Miri has a bad habit of claiming heights,” the shopkeeper explained, acknowledging Morgan’s height. “And I’m afraid she considered you to be a reasonable choice.” She clasped her small, pale hands together in front of her. “I am so sorry! Did she hurt you? I’ll get the first-aid kit…”

Morgan laughed. “Wow. What a tank! That is a big cat! And no, she didn’t hurt me.”

The woman placed her hand on Morgan’s arm solicitously. “I’m so glad. I was just letting you discover your way through the shop, but is there anything I could help you to look for?”

She might be wearing glasses perched half down her nose, but nonetheless, Morgan saw bright, sharp eyes peering out from the classic porcelain skin of an older woman. “Oh, I’m fine.” She said. “You really have some lovely pieces here. I found you accidentally. My fiance is working on a contract up on the hill where the new construction is going in, and I got out wandering around.”

“Well if there is anything I can help…”

“Watches.” Morgan interrupted. “He is into watches. Do you have any watches?”

The shop owner sparkled and answered “Of course! What kind of shop would I be without watches?” She gestured for Morgan to follow and returned to the counter. Stepping behind the glass, She flicked a hidden switch, and the cabinet lights buzzed to life. There was a strange collection of items inside the cabinet, some recognizable and some not so much. In the center section though there were several watches, both in cases and not.

“Did you have anything in particular in mind?” She asked.

Morgan studied the cabinet. “No, I hadn’t thought about it until just now. I’ll make up an anniversary to celebrate!” Continuing to look into the cabinet she pointed at one and asked, “how about that one?”

“Good eye.” The woman confirmed. “Longines. a very nice brand. Would you like to see it? It’s a vintage, 1940’s, rose gold watch in excellent condition.”

“Yes, he collects watches and I haven’t seen anything like it.” The shopkeeper pulled the piece from under the counter and as she placed it on the counter she switched on a lamp sitting on the end of the glass.

Morgan naturally looked to the right casually at the new source of illumination and squealed. “Oooh! I love it! What is the story of this lamp? It can’t be an originally electric lamp…” She referred to a lamp that had been a large, colored-glass, oil lamp tinted green in the base, hand-painted with delicate flamingos in a group. It had a white globe above it painted with flowers. Both the bottom and top had been illuminated. Morgan was transfixed.

“It’s called a GONE WITH THE WIND lamp. They are fairly rare and this one made in the late 1800s is definitely unique. We have since electrified the lamp in such a way that the elements can be removed without disturbing the original brass works. See, the base here is iron.”

“Why it’s beautiful! I happen to collect flamingos.” Morgan added. “It’s got to cost a mint. Wait, don’t tell me, I don’t want to be tempted.”

About that point, Morgan noticed that glowering down from above the shopkeeper was not only Miri, but a 12” high, ceramic, gold bull. She laughed to herself. “Of course. The proverbial bull in a china shop.”

She struggled to return her focus to the watch in front of her. “Is this a collectors’ piece?”

The woman smiled knowingly. “Yes, some collect these old watches.”

“How much, if I may be so crass.”

“The Longines,” she paused and consulted a book on the credenza behind her. “The Longines is listed for fourteen, ninety-five.” She found consulting the book to be a handy device to avoid facing clients dead on when announcing big numbers.

“Wow. I.can.do.it.” Morgan said as if trying to convince herself. “Let me think about it.” She added, speaking slowly and deliberately. She turned and looked back at the lamp.

Morgan suddenly turned back to the watch, still lying on the counter. “I’ll take it. Does it come with a case?” Her heart beating seriously, she debated spending as much without consulting her fiance, but after all, it was for him.

Dinner was just as amazing as it always seemed to be, and Morgan and Richard sat in the candlelight as they did often, enjoying the romance of each other’s company. His piercing eyes caught every line and curl in her hair but failed to see a line on her face. She relished the company of her intelligent, chivalrous, and handsome man. He poured her a glass of wine and Morgan slipped the watch case onto the table as he turned to put the empty wine bottle in the basket.

“What’s this?” His rich voice stroked her ears, or maybe it was the wine.

Morgan giggled just a little. “It’s a gift just because.”

“A gift for no reason? The very best kind.” He moved the case back and forth with his fingers, drawing out the inevitable. Then he picked up the package and dropped it in the pocket inside his jacket. “Thank you.”

“What!?” Morgan was incredulous. ‘You can’t do that.”

“Can’t do what” His sonorous voice teased.

Morgan let out a huff. “You can’t just put that in your pocket…

“But I thought it was a gift.” He purred smoothly.

Perplexed, she pouted. “It IS a gift, but you can’t just stick it in your pocket!”

“It’s mine, isn’t it?” He reached his hand around the back of her neck.

“Well, yes, it’s yours, but...”

“It will stay in my pocket.” His twinkling eyes bored through hers.

After settling dinner and returning to the room, Richard began preparing notes to be ready to go for a 6:00 AM meeting with his engineers and Morgan went ahead and prepared for bed, donning a satin gown and a large fluffy robe. He set the alarm on his phone and set it on the charger, commenting about being lost if he didn’t have that to keep him on time. Morgan knew he had a collection of watches but still felt proud for being thoughtful enough to have bought him one.

Richard returned from the shower and they slid into bed, sliding together to snuggle. “Wait a minute,” Morgan said. “What is this?” She said, feeling something on his wrist. She reached up and switched on a light. The watch was on his wrist. “I didn’t get to see you open it.” She whined.

“What, this old thing?” Richard’s mirthful eyes were smiling at her as she tried to poke his ribs. “Longines, vintage, rose-gold, probably 1950’s. It’s beautiful.”

Morgan smiled.

Richard thanked her for the watch.

He was able to make it to his meeting in the morning, thanks to his alarm and proudly wearing his new, old watch. Morgan slept in, taking off in the afternoon for general sightseeing, believing there’s always something to see. It was another hot afternoon and she was surprised to find the shower running when she returned to the room just a little late.

Standing on a table in the middle of the room was a cloth-draped figure that did nothing if not make her curious. Morgan headed straight for it when Richard’s mellifluous voice floated out, yelling, “Don’t you dare!”

“What? ...What is it?”

Richard came wandering out wrapped in his towel, to keep her from tampering. “Why don’t you go have a shower and get ready for dinner and you’ll forget about it.” He smiled at her without guile.

Morgan tried convincing herself that he kept rigidly between her and the object because it was something to do with his project. They did have the big meeting just this morning after all. She kept thinking about it while she showered and got ready. Richard had moved it over to the corner when she emerged from the bathroom. Maybe it was for his project. Nope, not going to believe it.

They went to dinner and she could not keep her mind on her food or the conversation. It was rude of her, and she was sure it was noticed that she wasn’t present, by Richard, if not the company that joined them. Finally, they got to go back to their room.

“Alright,” she said, teasing his middle. “I want to know what’s under the drape.”

“Well, okay. Why didn’t you say so?” She poked him good and went to the drape. She looked at him and began to draw it off, looking back at the drape, looking back and forth. Suddenly, it fell away, and Morgan was looking at the GONE WITH THE WIND lamp. The very 1800s, flamingo-covered, electrified oil lamp that she had fallen in love with, but had passed on because of the expense.

“How did you know?” Morgan gasped.

“I have spies everywhere.” He laughed. Seeing her perplexed concern, he explained. “Not many places you could get a watch like this. It didn’t take much to track down where you had found it and to learn how you had reacted to the lamp. Then it only took cash to get it. Simple.”

“Happy gift just because, honey, happy gift just because.”