The Mirror

The alarm chimes. It is a sweet and melodic sound echoing out of her cellphone, it’s gets louder but she ignores it. In the bed, she is safe, no worldly possessions or none of life’s problems. Just dreaming of a peaceful, and serene life by the beach. A party starts up nearby and she is absorbed by bumping music and happy people living their best lives. She feels comforted by the beach waves. She is laughing with the locals while sipping on maitais and thinking nothing of her stuffy bedroom.. A vacation, something she desperately needs, but alas is too broke to afford. She sadly wakes up and takes in her surroundings. Her tiny bed, surrounded by a mess of clothes that need folding. She stretches her tired limbs and looks in the mirror at the bags under her eyes, showing an overworked young woman.

“You don’t spend enough time with me Sidney, your family misses you. ” Her mom text her when she checks her phone. But she is too busy and needs to work. She is working toward a dream. Three jobs means she will earn her vacation, she will earn her freedom.

“Ok Sidney, you got this. Another day, another dollar.” Sidney says. She checks her schedule. It’s the weekend so that means cleaning jobs. This time, not too far from home. Sidney gets dressed and drags her large bag full of cleaning supplies, to her little red hooptie and chugs her way to work. Sidney is annoyed with her life, but it’s her life and she will work until she is free.

As she pulls up to yet another expensive looking house, she stares at the fine drive way and lovely looking trimmed bushes. Sidney cannot wait to be on that side of life. She parks in their drive way, how sad her red hooptie looks next to the Tesla. As she steps to the glass door Sidney can see how nice the furniture is and how clean it seems to look. Which means a deep cleaning, which means lots of work. Shortly, an expensive looking woman steps forward. Sidney sees her through the glass, like a reflection of her hoped for future.

“Hello! Sidney right?” She says as she opens the door to let her in. Sidney nods her head in agreement. The woman looks like her, just a little older and more glamorous. She seems to have a sweet demeanor and to be sincere. “Thank you so much for coming today, I really appreciate it.”

“Of course, my pleasure.” Sidney sets her bags next to the door, trying not to disturb the opulent decor. “Can you please show me around so I know what you’d like me to clean?” She asks as part of the routine.

“Oh yes, of course!” She says as she begins walking and Sidney follows. “It’s a 5 bedroom house, and we usually keep it clean. I am honestly just looking for a deep cleaning with some love.” Sidney nods. This will be all day. They look at the bathrooms and other rooms, and finally get to a private room just off the master bedroom. “Finally I really need a good cleaning in here, as my hair is everywhere. But please do not touch this mirror.” Sidney looks at the shabby mirror. “It’s an heirloom and it’s very fragile..” Sidney glances at it again, she can barely see a reflection. “Is there anything else you need to know before I go?”

“Do you have any cleaning product preferences?” Sidney asks.

“No, your products are fine.” She smiles as she stands their patiently. They stare awkwardly.

“Ok! Well, I’ll get to work.” Sidney says as she walks to her cleaning bag.

“Please call me if you have any other questions. I’m Terry by the way.” The woman says as she exits. Sidney pulls out her tools and puts in her headphones to work.

Sidney gets through the kitchen, living room and dinning room. She is fast and efficient. After five grueling hours, she finds herself in the room with the mirror. This is a room for her jewelry and dressing. Sidney looks upon these things with longing eyes. As she refocuses, Sidney feels a pulsing like no other. She pulls her headphones out as the pulsing gets louder. Sidney turns to the feeling and is face to face with the mirror. A glowing green neon light is now emanating from it.

“That wasn’t there before?” She wonders as she is compelled closer. It is alive with energy now and Sidney can see herself. She is wearing a straw hat, with a cute sundress over a bathing suit. It’s purple, her favorite color and she looks so relaxed. Sidney checks her own clothing to be sure but she knows she came in her frumpy uniform, a scrub top with jeans and sneakers. She looks radiant and full of life. With slight hesitation she reaches for the mirror and stumbles immediately in. She pops up and quickly checks her body for any injuries. She can feel the outfit that she saw on her now.

“What is going on?” Sidney looks up to a beach side pool with umbrellas and canopies. People are laughing, swimming and smiling. “How in the world?” She asks as she turns to face the mirror. “Oh my god!” She exclaims as she checks herself out at storefront. She looks amazing.

“Hey Sidney!” She hears from a little distance away. She turns to a beautiful man jogging up to her browned skin and glowing relaxed eyes. “Why did you leave? I was bringing you a drink.” He says slightly out of breath. Sidney’s eyes bulge with excitement. “What? Do I have something on my face?” He asks with bewilderment. She shakes her head no.

“You are gorgeous!” She screeches at his chiseled features. He chuckles and grabs her lose hand.

“That’s how you seduced me the first time beautiful.” He smiles an a million dollar grin. “Come on.” He takes her hand and guides her to the pool side. Sidney is cheesing hard.

“Omg! Maitais!” She screeches again on the table by their chairs. He picks up his too and smiles.

“Your favorite!” He says loudly as they clink glasses and take sips. Sidney’s first sip is pure perfection, as she hasn’t had a chance to drink in so many years. She was finally living and She wanted to take advantage.

“Hey! What’s your name handsome?” She asks playfully to the now dancing cutie.

“Dee woman! Dang, one sip and you forget?!”he says playfully. He grabs her hand again, electricity surges through her body from his touch. “We have only been hanging out all vacation!” She smiles joyously and he smiles back.

“Oh! It’s a strong drink!” She jokes and he laughs whole heartedly. “Show me all the fun things to do around here!” She says as completely playful as possible. He smiles again as a DJ blast loud music in the back, Dee gets excited.

“I’ll take you wherever you want to go, but first we must dance!” He says as he yanks her to the dance floor. They dance and grind to all of her favorite tracks, like the DJ was in her head. Sidney loses herself. They dance for what feels like hours, Sidney never once feeling tired or thirsty. Eventually though the music slows down, and Dee pulls her off to the beach. Sidney is thrilled when he pulls her in to kiss her passionately. He jumps into the warm beach water, Sidney follows. Dee pulls her close as the waves carry them away and kisses her again, his breathe tastes like maitais and his body feels amazing.

“So we have spent all vacation together? Like, all the time?” Sidney asks shyly as she emphasizes all twice. He smiles mischievously.

“You mean like in the bedroom?” He asks with a naughty grin. “I can’t believe you don’t remember our passionate nights?” He says slightly hurt but still sweet. Sidney smiles and kisses him passionately.

“Why don’t you remind me?” She asks with glee. They race back to the shore. He pulls her out and whisks her to their bungalow right next to the beach. He rips off her bikini and his swim trunks and kisses her passionately as he enters her. She is swept away by the throws of love making that everything around them seems to vanish. What an an amazing experience with an incredible man. She cried during and after. Sidney felt like she could go back home blissed out.

After what felt like a few days of this same routine Sidney realizes she has been gone too long. Dee wouldn’t leave her side, unless she used the restroom, and everyone seems to always be so happy. She was also some what longing of home, of her bed too. The paradise was bliss, but she felt drained. After another night of beautiful love making, Sidney snuck away from the bed to go back. Sidney was grateful for the break but ignoring life forever wasn’t responsible. She found the exact store front she entered and looked for a way in. There staring in her fabulous outfit was Terry, the home owner.

“How’s life Sidney?” She says with a smile. Sidney could hear her clearly.

“It’s amazing in here, but I need to get back home. I’ve got things to take care of, and people that care miss me.” She says reflecting on her mother’s text message from the morning.

“Well that’s good. But why leave what’s perfect? This is what you wanted right?” She asks with a chuckle.

“I mean I wanted a vacation, but I should probably go.” Sidney says. The woman smiles and looks at Sidney with now glowing green eyes.

“Sidney, my mirror allows people to experience what they most desire. For you it was a paradise vacation.” She says sweetly, but Sidney can’t help but feel unease.

“Yes, and it’s been great, but I need to get back, so how do I do that?” She asks.

“Oh!” She laughs, “I’m sorry, I say don’t touch the mirror because if you do you are trapped in your desire. As in can’t escape.” She says with ease. Sidney laughs a little.

“Ok… Very funny Ma’am, how do I get out?” She asks again frustrated.

“You can’t Sidney.” Sidney’s eyes bulge and she hits the window. “But it’s ok, your life will give me youth forever. You should have learned how to be grateful for what you have.” She says waving goodbye to Sidney. Sidney bangs on the window a few more times as the woman fades from the glass. Sidney feels a sharp pain in her stomach as panic starts to emerge. She wants to go home. She wants to see her mother too. She wants her little red hooptie. Tears stream down her face as Sidney realizes that home was better than paradise, and working for paradise instead of living is a lie. As she starts to crumble Sidney can feel eyes on her. She turns around to the crowd of party people she’s been with all this time. All showing concern on their faces. Dee moves through the crowd and comes to her side.

“Sidney, are you alright?” He asks. Seemingly sweet. But as she looks around Sidney starts to see faces shifting into grotesque monsters. What’s happening?

“What are you people?” She asks afraid. Dee smiles.

“We are your friends of course.” He says as he lifts her up. “Let’s go dance.” He says happily as he drags her to the pool side.

“Nooo… no.” Sidney whispers as she is pulled into the crowd and away from the mirror. She will never be home again, and everything will move on without her. Sidney just wanted a vacation? How did this happen?

Terry stands alone in the room, she cleans the mirror. She pulls out her phone and opens the same cleaning app to find another girl for her work.