Chapter 12

 I was smiling with happiness I had not felt recently. I requested a mani Pedi as well. I wanted to feel special. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift. I remembered when I was a girl. My mother would take me to place in New York City on girl trips. She attended Yale for school. She was very social and a woman who everyone loved. When we would come into NYC, every elite person would welcome her and acknowledge her. I felt like I was on top of the world. Mother and I would book a room at the Waldorf, we’d spend a whole weekend getting our hair done. Manicures/pedicures done, getting facials, body wraps, massages, the works. We would then, after spending hours or days getting pampered would go out and buy a new closet of clothes. As I grew older, going into High School and College, we did more things to extend the experience. We would shop for more than clothes. We’d shop for perfumes, shoes, purses, jewelry, all of it. Then, we would dine out, and when I became of drinking age, she introduced me to the high society nightlife. I remember once before I went off to college, in 2015. We went to “Nebula”  I got to meet celebrities, foreign royalty, dignitaries, heiresses, socialites, wealthy business professionals, rich athletes, just everyone. I felt like the world was at my feet. She used to tell me

“This is your world; these are your people.” I remember smiling.

“Katie, this is your world, you were born to be a princess, never let anyone dim your candle.”  

My mother was a very spiritual person; she was into meditation and channeling all-natural healing in the body, much of that started with wholistic eating and nature. She was a devout Catholic who also believed that our bodies could evolve, channel powers for healing and psychic awareness through prayer, mediation, and balanced ancient eating.  Not anything premade or fast food of modern today. She always used to tell me to be spiritually aware of my surroundings, and people in it. I never knew what she meant.

That was also the night I met Owen, I remember now.  Upon meeting him, something I felt was very off about him, and I stayed away. My mother even agreed, we greeted him once then walked away, trying to stay as far as possible away. I continued meeting with other people in the realms of high social class. I even met Leonardo DiCaprio. I was a little over excited. He is my favorite actor. I also met Kesha and Katie Perry.

I recall, Owen continue to eye me from across the crowded club. He watched me like a hawk, I remember with clarity. Throughout the whole night, he never took his eyes off of me. Mom noticed and steered me away from following eyes. We went up to the Garden rooftop area where everyone was still partying. We got drinks and danced the night away. It was one of the best nights of my life. I smile at the memory I am visualizing while fighting back a tear. Why did I let so much time slip away? I muse as the stylist finishes with everything. Once done, I take a look at myself, I am left in awe. I am so beautiful, I barely recognize myself. I thank her, while I pay for everything and leave her a hundred-dollar tip. She nearly faints and gives me a hug with bubbly energy. She apologizes and thanks me properly. I laugh to myself and tell her no worries. She’s more than welcome.

I walk away from the salon feeling like a new woman. Next stop Shopping. I walk down the streets of the expensive “Upper Scale” part of the city. I feel confident and powerful. I noticed people greeting me on the street or turning theirs my direction in approval. Some here my New Yorker accent I have acquired and look at me with irritation. I roll my eyes and ignore the stupid side of Boston. They don’t sound so great themselves, they sound like a New Yorker gone retarded. Or maybe that’s the New Yorker in me thinking that lol.

I walk into SAKS 5^TH and begin my shopping spree for my birthday. As I walk in, I see a sales lady looking my way. She glances then walks towards someone else. Odd? I continue walking around the store. Suddenly I hear a nasally voice.

“Gap is down the street if you’re looking for clothes?” she says in a bored voice.

“Excuse me?!”

“ I said Gap or Lane Bryant is down the street at the local shopping center. We don’t have anything here.”

“Are you seriously refusing me service?!” I ask indignantly.

“Because we don’t have anything here for you.” She says in a huff looking me up and down. I look at my clothes. I am wearing my mothers custom made Burberry cashmere sweater. It cost her a thousand dollars, and she bought it from SAKS  in New York.  I paired it with her Versace black leggings. How does this idiot not see the expensive design in my clothes.

“Excuse me! Have you any idea who I am?” I demand. She goes pale briefly.

“No, and I don’t care. You look middle class and hardly eligible for this store.” She says again in bored tone!

“Even though I bought this outfit from a similar store in New York?” I lie.

“Yeah, right, maybe from Goodwill.” She snides.

“I want to see your manager right now!” here’s something she doesn’t know. My mothers mother is the heiress to SAKS. If I wanted to be petty, I would call my disgusting Grandma, convince her that I am stepping into the Elite social limelight and this girl is throwing me out of Her store. This girl rolls her eyes and calls a manager, saying they have a vagrant that won’t leave. She comes out angry we notice each other. What are the odds I continue to bump into old school friends? When I first attend Prep school, I lived the first year on campus in their boarding house. This girl Tiffany was my roommate. She was my best friend, and partner in crime. Her parents were always gone on business. They were never there in her life. She used to come home with me for the holidays so she wouldn’t spend it alone. We lost touch after going onto college. She went to Cornell.

“KATIE!”  She screams and runs to me. We hug each other. It’s been so long since I’ve seen this girl!

Wait, you’re the vagrant? How can that be? That’s not possible.”

“No, I am not. I am on a shopping binge for my birthday. Remember when Mom used to take me to NYC for those. That’s all I am trying to do and this sales associate, was throwing me out!” I said in a chuff.

“DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO SHE IS! DO YOU WANT MY STORE TO CLOSE!” She yells at her. The woman is confused and frightened.

‘HER GRANDMOTHER IS THE HEIRESS TO THIS COMPANY!” She says aggressively. The girl goes pale.

‘YOU’RE FIRED. Get out of my store!” she yells. The girl scurries away crying.

“Pick out whatever clothing you’d like, it’s on the house.” She hugs me again and says with smile. I walk through the store feeling better.