Episode #16: The Weekly Mercies of Pam Ellis

I shouldn’t have waited this long, but work and life had been so full. I walked into the store, which had boasted cute Easter dresses the last couple of years. I walked past a manikin displaying some weird t-shirts and distressed jeans. Would that trend ever die? Would I live to see the day where people stopped paying extra to have jeans already ripped?

I went to a rack of dresses. This looked promising. There were lacy-looking dresses, as well as floral printed dresses. No, that one was almost see-through. This other one was cute…if it didn’t have a slit up the side that would give a great view of my often forgotten-to-shave legs.

I moved to a different rack. I snickered at one dress, which my sisters and I would call a fishing dress, the kind a girl might put on when she wanted to fish for a man. I then spotted a pretty purple dress with flowers on it. It was simple and pretty. I grabbed the one in my size, which made me wish it was easy to lose twenty or so pounds, and made my way to the dressing room.

I looked in the mirror and laughed. While a pretty dress, it was unflattering on me. The sleeves were puffy, which made me look fat.

After changing back into my own clothes, I put the dress back onto the rack. Perhaps, attaching one of my week's ideas to something as uncertain as being able to find an Easter dress had been a bad idea.

So just have fun.

I smiled at my own thought. I should. I should have fun even if it didn’t net me a dress. I went to another store. They were smaller, but I liked not having to wade through miles of racks.

I turned and saw a manikin in a lacy skirt and a pale pink floral top. I loved it. I walked around and I found the rack. Amazingly, they had my sizes of both. As soon as I got to the dressing room, I eagerly put them on.

I smiled into the mirror. It was perfect. I snapped a photo and sent it to my sisters.

I put together another Easter basket. Who knew Jared’s idea of offering bookish adult Easter baskets would take off so well? We already had reordered supplies once and it looked like we would need to reorder again to meet the demand. Even than we would sell out by Easter.

I placed the raffia in the bottom of the basket and then added the leather journal and manly looking devotional along with a wooden pen and a paperweight with a Bible verse on it. I didn’t know if people really used paperweights, but it was a challenge to find manly items to include in this basket.

I set the completed basket on the counter and wrapped it with the plastic cover. I tagged it for Mrs. Hanasy and moved to the next basket.

“Wow!”

I turned, and Jared stood there, surveying the counter covered in baskets.

“You’ve been busy.

I smiled. “You did say that these needed to be done today.”

“I did.” Jared sat down at a chair. “But I didn’t think you would have so many ready by now. I’ll start moving them to the back and calling the customers and tell them the baskets are ready for pick-up.”

I nodded and returned to making three for Mrs. Blane. Three teen daughters. Okay, this was perfect for young teens. I still wasn’t sure about giving adult men Easter baskets.

“Jared was right. You're a miracle worker.”

I smiled at Lacie as I tied the bow onto the last of the baskets for the three teen girls. “We haven’t had a lot of customers today, so I’ve been able to get a lot of these done. Besides, Jared’s making it easier for me since he is taking them into the back and can call the costumers.”

Lacie smiled. “I don’t know what we would do without you.”

Shaking my head, I put the plastic wrap around another basket. “Well, as long as you will have me, I’ll be here.”

Lacie smiled. “Until your Prince Charming comes riding in and sweeps you off to his castle.”

I snorted. “Very unlikely.”

“Perhaps, but I can dream.”

“Well, just make sure the castle you dream up has a large library.”

“Like the one in Beauty and the Beast?” Lacie asked.

“Is there another library castle kind?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen many castles. Oh, before I forget, I sent you an email with the details for an upcoming event. There is a local pastor who has written a book about using the summer to reach your neighbors. He wants to have a book signing here and have us carry his books. Jared read over the book and thought it would be a great idea. I was hoping you could come up with a small display and work out the details for some time in late May. My pregnancy brain has not been helpful of late.”

I nodded. “I would be happy to.” I did enjoy helping to put together events. Lacie was always so careful about the authors she had in our store. I always knew they would be a joy to work with when they did.

“Great. I’ll forward you the email with the basic information, and I’ll let you take it from there.”

I nodded and returned to making the easter baskets for the teens. After that I had one that was Jane Austen themed. And the idea of giving adults an easter basket was growing on me. I mean, if someone gave me a lavender/bookish one, I would be totally into it.

I mentally made a list to add to my mercy notebook when I got home.

My new Easter outfit

Getting to make Easter baskets

My job

Easter and the hope of the resurrection.