Dressing for the Autumn Ball

Helen took Naoko to a Men's Wear Store. She rang the buzzer.

"Charlie!" she said. "It's me. I have a new customer for you.” The gold and green glass doors opened. A man in a grey suit man came with his open wide arms.

“Helen, dear!” he said. “So nice to see you again!” He hugged the middle-aged woman and kissed her on the cheeks.

“How have you been?” Helen asked.

“Great, and yourself?”

“Wonderful. My husband’s finally coming to the ball tonight.”

Charlie whistled. “Oh you lucky fox!” He happened to look over Helen’s shoulder. “And who’s the new boy there?” Naoko took a step forward.

“How do you do?” he asked. “My name in Naoko.” Helen put her hand on his shoulder.

“He’s going to need a new suit for tonight’s ball,” she said. “I came to you because you are the best that I know.” There was a twinkle in Charlie’s eye as he bowed.

“You’re come to the perfect place,” he said.

“I leave him in your hands,” Helen said.

“You’ll be back by the usual time?”

“As always.” The woman turned to walk away. Naoko looked between them with a blank stare on his face.

“Wait, you’re leaving?” he asked.

“I will be back,” she said. “I will pick you up at six.” Helen turned and walked away. Charlie grabbed Naoko by the hand.

“You come with me now,” he said. The older man dragged him into the Menswear store.

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Inside felt like a warm summer morning. Naoko had never seen so many suits, dress shirts, trouser, and men’s accessories in one place before in his life. Everything seemed to pop out and sparkle. Charlie walked around in front of his customer.

“You like?” he asked. “In life, my husband and I ran a store just like this one.” Naoko blinked.

“Husband?” he asked.

“Don’t be surprised,” Charlie said. “This Heaven welcomes all lovers of all kinds. Now hold out your arms.” The mouse boy held out his arms. The older man held out white tape measure and got to work. His customer could see a spark in his eyes. Charlie looked up, smiling.

“Yes!” he said. “I am going to make you into a perfect sunflower!” Naoko gave him a strange look.

“Heh?!” he asked. Charlie grinned and took him further into the fitting rooms.

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-6:00 p.m.-

Helen returned to Charlie’s store.

“Hello?” she asked. “Are you boys ready?” Charlie walked out from the back.

“Welcome back,” he said.

“Is he ready?” Helen asked. Her old friend broke into a huge smile.

“Behold your sunflower!” he said. The middle-aged woman’s jaw dropped when Naoko stepped out. The mouse boy blushed in his blackish-blue dress suit.

“This feels weird,” he admitted.

“Hang on, your tie’s crooked there,” Charlie said. The shop owner adjusted the customer’s tie.

“There,” he said. “Now, you’re perfect.”

“How much should I pay?” Helen asked.

“Oh, drinks, dinner, and dessert with you and your husband,” Charlie said. “I really had fun with this one.”

“Sure thing,” the middle-aged woman said. She turned her attention to the mouse boy.

“Are you ready to go?” she asked. Naoko nodded once with red cheeks.

“Yes ma’am,” he said in a small voice. Helen held out her arm.

“Let’s get going,” she said. The mouse boy reluctantly took her arm and walked over to the glass doors with her. Helen looked over her shoulder.

“I’ll see you at the ball,” she said. Charlie smiled and nodded.

“Same to you,” he said back. Then, Helen and Naoko headed out of the store.