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<\/a>Erika, CiCi, and Melanie converse over exquisite hor d\u2019oeuvres and top-shelf champagne. Tiny bubbles tickle the bottom of CiCi\u2019s nose as she quickly downs the rest of her first glass of \u201cbubbly\u201d. \u201cAaah-chuu\u201d CiCi sneezes. Erika looks in CiCi\u2019s direction and shakes her head. \u201cPlease sip sweetie, this is champagne not shots of tequila.\u201d Melanie chuckles and then composes herself quickly. \u201cWhere is Brandy?\u201d inquires Melanie. \u201cI have no idea, I told her to meet us at 6:30. You know she\u2019s always late.\u201d Erika states as if she was reprimanding Melanie.
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And then as if almost on cue there appeared sounds of tiny metal bracelets clinking and shaking together in a simultaneous rhythm. Next emerged shiny black and white stilettos, skin tan hosiery, a knee-length waist hugging white dress and large black rim YSL shades. \u201cHeeeeeeey lovely ladies, did you miss me!?\u201d exclaims Brandy before taking her seat. The women exchange glances with each other forcing a smile. \u201cHey Brandy,\u201d the women mumble in annoyed unison. Brandy removes her glasses and cases the room. \u201cExcellent taste Erika, this place is incredible, yay for Champ’s da Baixa!
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\u201cThank you, but Brandy please tell me why you are never on time?\u201d inquires Erika. \u201cI apologize sweetie, it\u2019s just that I passed this fabulous purse and ensemble on the way here and I had to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, I apologize too,\u201d adds CiCi. \u201cFor what CiCi?\u201d inquires Brandy. \u201cFor finishing your glass of champagne.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Melanie and Erika burst into laughter. \u201cWell, it was starting to get warm, I was doing you a favor,\u201d CiCi continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brandy playfully nudges CiCi on the arm. \u201cStarting to get warm, really CiCi?\u201d Melanie covers her mouth to contain her laughter.
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\u201cOk ladies, now that we are all here, I have something to share. I had an epiphany last month after a co-worker introduced me to a revolutionary way of shopping. This will change our lives and the environment, and that goes for you too Brandy,\u201d declares Erika. Brandy perks up in her seat. \u201cOoo do tell, I\u2019m listening honey.\u201d \u201cWell, it\u2019s luxurious shopping on the next level, lower costs, and eco-friendly. I\u2019ve done it twice already. It\u2019s a vintage and pre-owned luxury site called Vestiaire Collective.\u201d
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Brandy folds her arms and sits back in her chair. \u201cSo, what\u2019s the catch?\u201d \u201cNo catch. This is the opportunity for you to find fabulous vintage collectible items that are available second-hand and\u2026.\u201d Brandy interrupts speaking in first person. \u201cBrandy doesn\u2019t do second-hand sweetie.\u201d \u201cBrandy, you really should\u2026..\u201dMelanie begins. CiCi interrupts by gracefully tapping Melanie on the arm. \u201cBrandy, you remember that maroon and beige handbag that you saw a couple of weeks ago that you loved sooo much.\u201d Brandy gathered her thoughts. \u201cYes, I remember.\u201d \u201cIt was second-hand,\u201d CiCi notes.
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Brandy looking confused and amazed at the same time mumbles to herself, \u201cHave I lost my touch.\u201d Erika shakes her head in affirmation. \u201cSee Brandy, this really is a great thing. A win-win. Your purchase is environmentally friendly, helping to reduce waste while sporting the most fabulous vintage items ever.\u201d Brandy hesitates. \u201cWell\u2026.I guess it wouldn\u2019t hurt to try.\u201d
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Erika raises her glass. \u201cLet\u2019s toast to the green life.\u201d The women raise their glasses in unison and lightly tap each other\u2019s glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHmmm\u2026vintage shopping huh\u2026well, I guess I\u2019m just going to have to check out this Vestiaire Collective\u201d, Brandy mumbles to herself while checking her phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then it happened. Time stood still. Brandy started hearing beautiful island music; it was the beating of bongos with sultry jazz tones that seemed to mimic the rhythm of her heart. A soft breeze blew through her hair and a light sprinkle mist graced her face from the not too distant waves of the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAm I in paradise?\u201d whispers Brandy. Confused but intrigued, she takes a step forward realizing her feet are partially submerged in warm grains of sand. After fiddling her toes, she proceeds towards the pristine body of water but not before falling face-first into the warm sand. Coughing and spitting out the sand that had made its way into her mouth, Brandy shouts \u201cUgh, how the hell did I end up on the ground?\u201d She then began to hear the faint sound of a light beeping noise. \u201cWhat is that?\u201d \u201cOh my God, don\u2019t let this be how I die\u2026please don\u2019t tell me I triggered some sort of land mine!\u201d Brandy panics. In a calm but shaky voice, she tries to reassure herself that she\u2019s ok. \u201cBrandy, that may not be the most reasonable explanation for this.\u201d Then she realizes some sort of a strap is looped around her right ankle. She sits all the way up and brings her knees towards her face. She notices that the beeping has become louder. She pulls the strap off her ankle and vigorously dusts the sand that has accumulated all around this foreign object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the sand falls back to the earth, it is as if the strap was metamorphosizing before her very eyes. A shiny amethyst hue appears causing Brandy to gasp in amazement. She needs to see more. She tugs and tugs on the strap but is met with major resistance. So she finally stands up, firmly digging her heels into the sand and shifting her body weight to attempt to free this beautiful mystery. She drops to her knees and attempts to dig out the prize with her hands but finds a letter instead. It reads, \u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019ll do without you. You have always been by my side. You\u2019re like my second companion, always making me smile. But being ever so stubborn I must leave you behind.\u201d Love Victoria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSucks for her, that man never got the letter\u201d Brandy scoffs as she proceeds to dig and pull again only becoming more restless and aggravated. \u201cPlease mother earth grant me this wish and I promise I\u2019ll practice green living.\u201d Brandy gives one final attempt standing and pulling until the backside of her body is a 30-degree angle from the ground. Suddenly Brandy begins flying backward at a high speed with miscellaneous items flying in the air and gravity placing them around her body like she has made a sand angel, including a tiny alarm that was now silenced. I did it! Brandy exclaims. She had managed to free the hidden treasure but now didn\u2019t know where it was. Frantically she turns her head left to right and right to left and there it was! The sun found it before she did. Sitting 15 yards away under the sun rays is the most breathtaking thing she has ever seen. A bright amethyst handbag with a lengthy checker design embroidered in golden lace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brandy was stunned. In all her years of luxurious shopping, she had never come across such a gem as this. \u201cOk honey, come to mama\u201d\u2026.\u201cyou\u2019re almost too pretty to use!\u201d Brandy flips the bag upside down shaking out the remaining sand inside the bag, and then notices a name sewn into the bottom. \u201cV Romano?\u201d \u201cWho is V. Romano\u2026\u2026..?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBrandy!\u201d \u201cBrandy!\u201d \u201cBrannnn-dddyyyy!\u201d exclaims Cici. Dazed and confused Brandy slowly turns toward Cici. \u201cHuh?\u201d The table erupts with laughter. \u201cYou\u2019ve been talking to yourself ever since you looked up that website.\u201d Erika teases. \u201cYea we thought we were gonna have to pinch you\u201d adds Melanie. \u201cYes, no more alcohol for Ms. Brandy,\u201d says Cici while raising her glass. \u201cYea, maybe so\u2026.cause I\u2019m not sure what just happened\u2026it was like a daydream but\u2026\u2026but\u2026.\u201d Brandy tries to collect her thoughts. \u201cLook Brandy just tell us what you found that has you so mesmerized,\u201d Erika impatiently interrupts.\u201cWell, take a look for yourselves,\u201d states Brandy. She turns her phone to face them and for the first time all night complete silence. The women gazed upon the amethyst bag as if it was luring them all to come closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWho\u2019s the designer?\u201d \u201cI need to know the designer,\u201d Melanie pesters. \u201cRight,\u201d Erika and Cici affirm in unison. \u201cWell, the website says it\u2019s from the Marco Cancio collection,\u201d says Brandy. \u201cHmm, never heard of that collection?\u201d \u201cWhat about you guys?\u201d asks Melanie. \u201cBeats me,\u201d adds Erika.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cici begins feverishly searching through her phone. \u201cGot it!\u201d \u201cMarco Cancio has the most innovative collection of handbags Calabria, Italy has ever seen! It says he dedicated his last designs to his late wife by stitching her name in the bottom of his bags.\u201d \u201cShe was supposed to design his last line of bags, but tragically fell ill vacationing on Pete\u2019s Island.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brandy hesitates then begins slowly speaking while keeping her eyes glued to the picture of the bag. \u201cWhat was her name\u201d? \u201cUmm, it says his last collection was all stitched with the name V. Romano, but her name was Victoria,\u201d replies Cici. Brandy\u2019s face turns a pale ghostly color. \u201cBrandy, are you ok?\u201d asks Melanie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nervously fidgeting her hands, Brandy slowly gets up from the table. \u201cHe-e-e-y guys\u2026.I\u2019m-a\u2026I\u2019m-a have to catch up with you later. She throws a fifty on the table and quickly heads out the door. \u201cOk guys, you know that crazy girl is your friend, right?\u201d \u201cI suggest you get her some help,\u201d Cici says jokingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo Cici, how did his wife become ill? Melanie inquires. \u201cWell, it doesn\u2019t say. But it does mention that she was obsessed with her bags and would have severe panic attacks when she was separated from them.\u201d Melanie stands up. \u201cWell on that note\u2014we should probably head out because I know all of us have to be up early tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are right.\u201d\u2026..\u201cOh wait, it looks like Brandy left something behind again.\u201d says Erika visibly annoyed. She picks up a slightly dusty double folded piece of paper from Brandy\u2019s chair. She opens it. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d asks Melanie. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Erika says slowly and confused. \u201cWell, what does it say?\u201d Cici persists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt says\u2026\u2026..\u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019ll do without you. You have always been by my side. You\u2019re like my second companion, always making me smile. But being ever so stubborn I must leave you behind.\u201d Love Victoria <\/p>\n\n\n\n The three friends all stopped and stared at each other for a whole minute and then scurried out the front door like three alley cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Words by Jada Ledbetter<\/a><\/em>![\"koktails](\"https:\/\/www.lovehappensmag.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_95597860.jpg\")
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Images of Champ’s da Baixa, Courtesy of Central Architectos
Article Originally Appeared in Love Happens Volume 4<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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