Green Gown(Annie Frame) Green Gown.

Trudy and Gina had grown up together. Their mothers had been friends since they were knee high to a grasshopper, so everybody took for granted that history would repeat itself. It did to the eye of the observer, but emotions run deep and are not always visible to the naked eye. Trudy had the looks and the personality to die for, whereas Gina was willowy, forgetful and constantly wore a woeful expression. There always seemed to be something on her mind, something haunting every living moment. She never shared any concern she had about anything or anyone and learnt to cope with it from day to day.

Trudy’s new looks would come and go as would the fancy bits and bobs she acquired, tired of and handed down to Gina. Gina never refused or protested, simply tucked them away out of sight, awaiting the right time to dispose of them. Over the years she had thought about telling Trudy the truth and how dreadful her taste was, but had decided against it, knowing that all hell would break loose. Nobody told Trudy anything other than what she wanted to hear, even though it would be better for all concerned if pretense ended once and for all.

Time past in much the same fashion. There was a big function coming up and both young ladies were eager to find a dress that suited them and the purpose. As usual Trudy raved about various outfits and how good she would look in them while Gina secretly fell in love with one she had seen in the secluded little shop on a quiet cobbled lane. The long green dress hung in the beautifully presented window and immediately caught her eye so much so she had forgotten herself entered the shop and promptly tried it on. It fit like a glove! Sadly she had to slip back out of it, return it to the rail and hope the funds would find her so she could buy it. She did not have to wait long. When she got home her mother smiled and explained that an old aunt had paid a surprise visit, on leaving she had insisted about built-up pocket money for Gina. The crisp envelope lay on the side with Gina’s name neatly scrawled across the front. Gina did not expect a great deal, because she had not had much to do with the lady over the years, but felt rather special that she had taken the time to leave any money at all.

The fifty pound note slipped from the envelope making Gina and her mother gasp. “Oh my, I hope you have something nice to spend it on.” chirped her mother. Gina nodded knowing exactly what. The next day she retraced her steps, only this time she came back with the dress wrapped neatly in classy looking paper with a bow strapped to the package. It really was perfect in every way. Ever so carefully she removed the gorgeous long green dress and hung it on a hanger ready to wear.

The phone calls were nothing new and came thick and fast. Each one was a blow-by-blow account of Trudy’s reckless spending sprees. How good she looked in this color or that color. How her figure was admired by those too fat for the super slinky designs she just happened to slip into. The list was endless and Gina never interrupted, she was used to the one sided conversations. The green dress hung vividly in her minds eye throughout every call yet she never uttered a word to Trudy. It did not matter, because Trudy was much too interested in her self to find time to even ask Gina if she had found a dress to wear.

Eventually the day arrived and with it the big event. Both young women sat side by side, both looking very glamorous in green gowns. One was visible and one hidden from view. Trudy wore red, yet the green gown glowed vividly as she fought to keep it under-wraps. Gina felt like a millions dollars and never flinched at the rivalry. She was used to it, so quietly ignored the residue seeping maliciously outwards and onward. She felt the green gown restrict when the tall, dark, handsome stranger approached her shyly and asked her to dance. Who could refuse?

Floating magically around the floor held gently in his arms her eyes witnessed the green gown taking root. Readily captured by deliberate fueled spite while suspended in egotistical glory the battle raged within. Sinking soul on destitute land, stared sadly outside in. She should have worn green. Why had she worn red? If only she had worn green it would have been her in the handsome mans arms. She hated Gina, always had. Envy delivered the verdict and nestled down to rest. The test was over for now, the bindings deep in place. A mind wrapped up, beneath itself, none the wiser for now.

By Annie Frame. Copyright November 2013

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