MAGENTA!

“Good Morning Miss Shelly! The waitress spoke chirped, “This way ma’am!” Shelly followed the familiar

path beyond the chatter of happy customers, to the white frosted glass door. The waitress stepped

away as Shelly used her gold key to unlock the door. The beautifully decorated wood-trimmed room contained several booths, tables, and a fully stocked bar. Shelly walked up to the tiny gold plaque

engraved with the name, “TIBELLE” affixed to the vintage booth. She slid past dents in the old seat,

and sank into the one that fit.

“Perfect!” She thought to herself, sighing deeply.

The waitress returned with her warm tea, and said with a smile,

“I’ll be back shortly with your breakfast!”

Shelly was obvious, as usual, to the niceties, as she gazed at the small Japanese garden through the

large lightly tinted windows.

“This is our home away from home!” Dale Tibelle Jr. said as he signed the contract for the

construction of the family’s private addition to his favorite restaurant.

Shelly smiled as she thought about her Grandfather, “He’s the only father I’ve ever known.”

She sipped the warm peppermint tea, as a tiny smile broke across lips.

Dale Jr.’s vivid recollections of the past split her young existence into two worlds. Shelly didn’t

have the time for dolls and the normal play time of children. He taught her family history and family

secrets during their meals together. Shelly had a private tutor, but she learned the basics of

finance, accounting, investments, and racketeering from her Grandfather. It was not unusual

for her to sit alone, quietly observant of their surroundings as a child. After Dale Jr.’s death,

she spent time with her memories, sometimes she could hear his voice.

“This ‘ll..little’ city,” Dale Jr. whispered, “was built on bootlegging and guns!”

He was 8 years old at the start of Prohibition. His father, Dale Sr., owned the largest candy store

in the town, and received a very generous offer to allow “ speakeasy’s” to be built onto the back

of his store. They built passageways for illegal liquor to be stored and sold secretly.

Great-grandfather would later become a trusted, full partner in the lucrative business. As the

only candy store in town, he remained popular with the kids and families-creating a great cover

for nefarious activities.

Shelly didn’t hear the waitress return, her thoughts were interrupted by the delicious aroma

of her steak.

“Just how Grandpa likes it.” She thought after the first bite. Shelly left her tip on the

table and exited through the garden to the private parking lot. Minutes later, she pulled off

the main highway to the “premier” antique mall. The large marquee read “COLLEC’TIBELLES”

was a clever way to show the “old friends”, near and far, the family’s location. Shelly parked

in front of the old candy store location-now the family’s antique store. The face of the store

evolved with the changing times. After Prohibition, the illegal gun market became lucrative.

“Let’s ‘gg..go’ take a look at the tunnel! He said as he took a key from the vault under the counter.

Shelly followed him down the steps to a small door hidden underneath. He opened

the door and pointed, “This is the old delivery door..there’s a vault on the other side”…

“Those were the days!” Shelly said softly, she remembered every conversation!

Now my accountant says I have to get a neighbor..rent the unused space and get

more IRS write-off and less scrutiny..that would make 5 stores outside of “Tibelle’s.”

Shelly was never threatened by the stores on her mall. Years at the same location,

loyal customer base from all walks of life, kept the sales high. Her accountant presented

her with the names of the top 2 applicants for the shop next door. Both, experienced

shop owners. Without question, Shelly chose the applicant that arrived early for the

appointment. She was obviously knowledgeable about antiques, and excited about

the opportunity to display her beautiful inventory at “COLLEC’TIBELLES” Mall.

“Margaret?” Shelly asked?

“Call me Maggie!” She replied with a smile.

Shelly was quite relieved to see that Maggie was independent, moved in quickly and quietly;

not coming into her shop to snoop or ask silly questions.

Maggie was a woman of few words, and a renown inventory of beautiful glass mirrors, china

and general antique stock. She ignored the curious whispers, the “plain Jane”, and spinster

jokes.

“Doesn’t matter.” She thought to herself.

Maggie delighted her customers with unique and hard to find items. Her store,

”MAGENTA”, kept a loyal base of customers that followed her to “COLLEC’TIBELLES”

Mall. She walked the circular path, winding through her inventory and back to the

front counter. Stooping down to open her locked cabinet, she removed an exquisite

piece of pottery containing a spray bottle and a deep red cloth. Her customers always

joked that “MAGENTA” could pass the”white glove test“ for dust! Maggie never hired

outsiders, she brought her staff with her. Smiling as the bottle cast a magenta glow,

she walked to the first mirror. Spraying and wiping delicately with the cloth, she spoke.

“Do you like the location?”

“It will do…” the mirror replied.

Maggie laughed and clapped her hands as she continued wiping every mirror.

“It will do…” chorused each mirror until the shop was filled with eerie and

otherworldly sounds. Maggie clapped her hands.

“Thank you everyone, now we have work to do!

Maggie turned off the store lights as the sounds of movement, dragging appendages and

fingers strumming across the walls, filled each room.

“I need to go downstairs and finish our last creation!” Maggie’s voice echoed above

the ghostly noise. Floating down the basement steps, she waved her hand above her head

and the sounds became imperceptible. Maggie walked towards the large draped object

in the middle of the floor. Pulling the drape she exclaimed,

“Exquisite Louis the XV!” She traced an invisible line from the top to bottom of the mirror.

A withered, calloused hand reached out from the mirror, and old woman

stepped out and opened a tool chest and began to polish the gold gilded edges.

The following week, Shelly saw some of her window shoppers drifting over to Magenta’s window

next door.

“I’m coming!” She called out as she turned her sign to “open”, and unlocked her door. She

enjoyed the chatter of her excited customers as they walked through the store. She was

always “curious” about the other stores, but would NEVER be seen inside any shop in

her mall!

“Not fashionable”, she whispered, “to “endorse” the competition.. if that’s what it’s called!”

“That’s why I hired my spy, Jules, she thought to herself.. Julia has been loyal for years..

that’s why I know everything going on around here!..I can’t wait to hear her report!”

Shelly turned the “close” sign and turned on the spot lights for the window display.

“Magenta’s Grand Opening was particularly clever in timing, Shelly mused, as she walked

slowly through the store, checking inventory, “Right in the middle of pre- holiday

festivities, good for her..I have this town ‘sewed up!! Shelly spoke softly.

“Grandpa always said, Position yourself to win ONLY..no other considerations..people come and go, but

only when I say so!” Shelly thought to herself with a smile.

The yearly celebration hosted multiple vendors, restaurants, craft beer, sound stage, and

entertainment for children. People travelled from miles around to attend the festivities.

Shelly locked up and exited through the back door. She enjoyed checking her window

as the evening light turned to darkness.

“You’re looking good!” She spoke softly. Curiosity getting the best of her, Shelly looked

around the lot to make sure no one saw walk to Magenta’s window. The window was

papered entirely around a beautiful mirror centered in the middle.

“Now that’s an exquisite mirror! Shelly continues.. Wonder how much she is selling

It for?…This is strange, she thought as her eyes were drawn to movements like

flickering lights.. the more she stared, the brighter the light!” Shelly was distracted

by the laughter of a couple walking to their car.

“Let’s see how she does tomorrow”, she chuckled as she walked to her car.

“Yes! We will see won’t we!” Maggie said as she appeared in the mirror, watching

Shelly walk to her car.

The sun was shining bright, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement as vendors, musicians,

tents, and tables were unloading at designated spots in the large parking lot.

“Hey Shelly!” She waved and smiled at the greetings from the busy workers.

“My loyal fans!” She whispered softly. “I could’ve parked in back, but I had to walk by

this window one more time!”

“This is new!!” Shelly said as she watched the magenta lights circling her sign and

pointing at her door.

The large mirror was replaced with small mosaic mirrors that reflected the sunlight, creating

beautiful colors around 2 “ball and claw” tables covered with white table cloths and

exquisite china. Shelly gasped and hurried next door to open her store.

“My spy will be making her rounds today”, Shelly said with a sarcastic laugh,

“I’ll know what’s going on!”

The mall was alive with the sounds of live music, children laughing as the aroma of food

filled the air. Hundreds of people were filling the chairs and tables around the food

vendors and sound stage. She’ll greeted customers as they filed into her store, and

bought items. Shelly put vendor tokens in each customers bag.

“Be sure to go straight to the food vendors and get your chair and tables before the

rush,” she advised with a snicker.. I’m not sending anyone next door, NOT one!!

A couple of hours past and Shelly realized that her favorite customers did not

return with her “usual” request from the food vendors. She walked up to her

window to see if she could find them. Shelly gasped and couldn’t believe her eyes!,

The people were forming lines outside of “Magenta’s” door and others were taking

chairs from the vendor areas to sit and wait!, Shelly felt the heat rising in her

face.. she was ANGRY!! She stepped outside her door to call Jules cellphone, and

heard the ringing inside of “Magenta’s”.

“Oh No They Won’t!!” Shelly yelled as she walked next door and entered “Magenta.”

She called out to Jules from the door and there was no answer. Shelly walked up

to her old customers and they ignored her. She tapped Jules on the shoulder, and

tried to turn her around.. she was stiff as a board! The customers were chatting

with each other, and gathering up items to take to the counter! She turned to

see “ole” Mrs. Surrei, a lover of cobalt blue, stoop down to place a yellow depression

glass container in her small basket! People she had known all her life, who knew her

Grandfather, continued to walk by without acknowledging her.

“It’s as if I DON’T exist!!” Shelly yelled, as she walked through the crowd to confront

Maggie at the counter!

Before she could speak, Mrs Surrei yelled,

“Get To The Back of The Line!!”..”Yeah!! To The Back!!”, the crowd chanted with Mrs.

Surrei!!

Shelly was too stunned to be embarrassed, as she bolted towards the door, with a smile

and wave from Maggie! She ran into her store, turned her sign to “closed”, and locked

her door. Shelly was lost in emotions she’s never had, and for words she’s never used.

She simply stared at the wall between them, shocked by what happened there.

“There’s some kind of magic on her merchandise… she’s Bewitched Them!!”

Shelly yelled..I AM A TIBELLE AND I WILL SHUT HER DOWN!!”

If Shelly looked into the parking lot, she would have heard the spine-chilling melodies

and seen the twisted motionless bodies frozen and staring at her window!

She reached for her gun under the counter and put it carefully in her pocket.

“I’m going to find out what’s going on, and I am carrying my gun.. just in case,

for a little insurance to scare her..Shelly laughed.. it’ll be my word against hers!”

Shelly reached under the counter to get the tunnel keys from the vault underneath

the counter. She walked to the back of the store, and down the basement steps

and removed the panel hiding the tunnel door.

“Just like Grandpa said,” she mumbled softly.

Shelly unlocked the first door and walked to the adjoining door, opening the door slowly

to diminish the creaking sounds. Once inside, she followed the strange sounds of

maniacal laughter to a room filled with a glowing magenta light. The laughter seemed

to get louder with every step. Shelly took the gun from her pocket and held it behind

her back. Stunned and horrified by the sight in front of her, Shelly staggered backwards

against the basement wall! She saw Maggie holding the gnarled and calloused hand

protruding from the mirror! A cold chill made her shake from head to toe..as the feeling

of the gun behind her back gave her a surge of confidence.

“You TIBELLES!” Maggie screamed, looking at Shelly, Your violence won’t work down here!!..

This was a peaceful town until your Great-Grandfather polluted it with murders and

senseless killings for his mob friends!!.. All for illegal alcohol and control of guns!

Your family made the streets run red with the blood of innocent people. The “Tibelle’s”

stole homes, properties, and this store from hardworking people, to make your

bloody empire…Your Great-Grandfather passed his murderous legacy to his son,

Your Grandfather, and he passed it to his son-YOUR Father, who has life behind bars,

and YOU have never met him!! Your Grandfather didn’t stop!.. he became YOUR

Father, and taught YOU to be proud of everything The “Tibelle’s” stood for.. YOU

ARE just like him..Maggie shouted!

“Don’t talk about my Grandfather!”, Shelly’s eyes narrowed as she pointed her gun

at Maggie..the gnarled finger in the mirror pointed quickly at Shelly as she fell

to her knees screaming in pain, and looking at the print of the gun barrel in her

hand!

“It’s time for YOU to go back Shelly, back in time to “set” it right!..Maggie waves

her hand across the mirror, releasing hundreds of hands flying into the air!,

Shelly’s screams fill the air as the hands lift her and carry her “feet first”, into the

mirror!

Maggie closed her eyes and inhaled the delicious aroma of chocolate in the air.

“Magdalia! Magdalia!” Marmie screeched happily, “Welcome back!.. we’ve missed you

sooo! Magdalia hugs her mother tightly..

“I’ve missed you too Marmie”, Maggie said as she kissed her cheeks.

“Thank you for going to help your grandmother before she passed away, Marmie’s

eyes tearing, as she continues, it was hard enough with your father being killed

in the war..but the war got worse with that “Spanish” flu killing so many men.

Our community was hit hard and we’re feeding as many broken families as we

can find!..many of us are adopting abandoned children!.. l’ve got great news for

you!! You have a new brother and sister!!!” Marmie laughs and hugging

Magdalia tightly!,

“Oh Marmie I’m so happy! Magdalia said cheerily, “Do I know them?”, she asked.

“You remember the Tibelle’s, Marmie replied.. the father, Dale, died from the

Spanish flu just before he was discharged from the Army. His wife had a

nervous breakdown, and couldn’t take care of Dale Jr., so he’s your new brother!

Your new little sister, Shelly, she’s a special case, “she was abandoned,

Marmie whispered, we’ll talk later! They’re outside playing!

“Dale Jr.!! Shelly! Your big sister is back!!..come on in!.. Marmie called out the back

door.

Shelly’s body responded to Marmie’s call, as she ran from the backyard towards the house.

“Yuck!! I’m covered with mud!” Shelly thought as she stretched out her arms..

small hands, small feet..I’M A LITTLE GIRL! She gasped.. and the boy running

ahead of me..who is he??

“6Here they are!” Marmie spoke proudly, “Aren’t they adorable!!” She continued

Here’s your big sister Magdalia, this is Dale Jr. and Shelly!!

Shelly gazed at the boy..Dale Jr.???

“He looks just like Grandpa’s childhood pictures, and his clothes are the same..!

“Hi Shelly!” Magdalia said with a wink!

“The familiar voice,” Shelly thought to herself as all the horrible-horrible

memories flooded her mind, a cloud of darkness enveloping her as she dropped

to the floor..!

“Voices!” Shelly listens with her eyes closed tightly ..

“Dr John’s”, Marmie asked mournfully as she held the little girl’ tiny hand tenderly.

“She’s fine, she just fainted.. Poor little thing, he continued..The sheriff and I

found her down the road, thrown away like garbage.. she was wrapped in

curious clothes, a jacket too small for a man, a skirt too short for a woman,

and strange footwear! She said only one word, “Shelly”, and we figured that

it was her name. “She’s in the right place Marmie, here with you and Magdalia,

and we all know that you have been through a lot, Ashton got killed in the

war, and your mother’s illness taking a turn for the worse, and you had

to send Magdalia to comfort her until the end.. You took in Dale Jr. when

his father died. Let them work with you at the candy store..you’ll teach

them both how to be good people, how to care for themselves and help

their community!”

The little girl continued to listen with her eyes closed. She heard the kind words and felt

the warmth from the hand clutching hers.

“Finally”, Shelly thought, “I’m home!!”

The little girl squeezed the hand that held her hand, as she opened her eyes to look at

the tear-streaked face and said.. “Mommy!”

No one saw Maggie watching through the open door, and no one saw her fingers trace

a large circle in the hallway mirror. She grasped the calloused hand that reached for

her hand..

“Grandma!!” Maggie whispered softly, “WE DID IT!!!”