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This blouse I just love hangs in Dibly’s window. Ma laughs when I bring up the fact of its pretty silky material. And how that peach color matches my skin. So come Saturday I go to Dibly’s to get a closer look. The saleslady smiles and takes it off the store dummy. Here, hon, she says to me. Holding it out for me to touch. It looks lumpy in her hands like peach vomit. Seeing that window dummy without its blouse is strange. No thank you, I say. All of a sudden feeling shy. I look again at the naked dummy. Then turning away I run out of the store. |
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Dummy by Susan Tepper
Filed under Susan Tepper
52|250 A Year of Flash 
I love this! Store dummy– I like that. You’re good
Michie, thank you! Nice word “good”, I appreciate hearing it!
Ah, wishes and dreams turn lumpy in reality. How true, and how cleverly put here, Susan.
Susan, yeah, that lumpy reality will get us every time! Thanks!
Disillusion captured in a single scene. Nice one.
Gany, yep, disillusionment. Disappointment. What a life! Thank you!
Love that sudden awkwardness! Well crafted, and so concise!
Chelsea, I’m glad her awkwardness came through. Thanks so much for the read and comment!
“Lumpy like peach vomit.” You always know how to get a visual across!!! Loved this, as always, Susan!!!!
Meg, I am a very visual type. That can work to my disadvantage, too! Ha ha! Like seeing things not meant to be seen! But I happily accept your compliment!
When moma laughs, pay attention. She knows what vomit looks like
You can’t put anything past the Moma’s!
this is so potent and so tiny. excellent.
Len I love potent, thank you!
such a great scene, Susan! Loved reading this and all your other stories this year. Can’t thank you enough!
Can’t thank YOU THREE enough! So glad you like Dummy!
Peach vomit. Yum! and Yuck! all tightly rolled into one. I loved this.
Chris, peach vomit= yuck and yum! Ha! Thanks!
Just great! A tiny initiation story. Nothing stays lovely forever.
John how true: nothing stays lovely forever. Thanks for reading!
Sometimes we build things up so much that the reality of them is awful. I felt sad for your girl, discovering this.
Clarie, me too, feel sad for her. Thanks so much!
made me smile and then smile again after the second reading. finely tuned, this one. not a dummy.
Marcus thank you. Glad I passed the dummy test. duh-huh..
peach vomit conjures such an image! love those clerks that call you hon all the time. great flow..
Michael, hon…
thanks, hon…
Love this, the expectations dashed by the lumpiness, the peach vomit. Susan, I have loved reading your stories here and will miss your weekly dose of perfect words. Peace…
Linda I will miss your words here, as well. This has been a life-altering writing experience. Thank you for all you have given us.
great reflection on the things we desire, and how they are different than expected. “be careful what you wish for, you might receive peach vomit” .. (such a perfect image!)
Dorothee, I didn’t intend to send that message, but that is the message. Yes, be careful of…
Thanks so much, and for your beautiful work these past 52 weeks..
Ha ha – I am taking it at its basest but here is the message: never trust a man-made fabric! A lesson to live by!
Hmm… man made you think? She does say silky… but she is a kid and silky is probably polyester. I guess you are right in your life lesson, Matt! Only cotton, wool, silk and linen. (I learned that as an interior decorator). All the rest are CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP…
That was one of the instuctors yelling out CRAP…
Really wonderful, Susan.
Oh, Lou, thank you!!!
the interplay of desire and shame/disgust – a complex pairing and so well handled, so briefly…well done!
Kelly, I’m glad that came thru clearly. Thanks so much!
As soon as I finished this story, I wept. I wanted this project to last several lifetimes.
I KNOW!!! ME TOO! IT WAS SUCH AN ANCHOR OF FRIENDSHIP AND COMRADERIE. THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT THING!
I LOVE YOU ALL!
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