Copyright Ted Strutz
You’re isolated now, completely on your own; scarcely visible to anyone or anything.
You look in the mirror each morning. They say what you see depends on your expectations, and although yours are pretty low, the reflection still falls unremittingly, depressingly short.
It’s no longer a crime against humanity to leave home without your bra, and you’re unlikely to scare the horses if you forget your eyeliner. The world won’t end because you didn’t comb your hair, or apply a slash of lipstick.
Because you go unnoticed everywhere.
And that’s good, you think, examining your haul after today’s leisurely stroll through Harrods. Excellent, in fact.
Late to the party again. Friday Fictioneers, hosted by the genial Rochelle, opens up for business again today. 100 words or thereabouts. Go on, it won’t kill you!
castelsarrasin 
It’s not about acquisition, it’s about not getting caught. Well done.
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Exactly so!
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Dear Sandra,
Getting older has its perks, doesn’t it? Who’d suspect? Love it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Better late than not at all.
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I brought a note to cover my lateness, ma’am. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Thank you for the note. I’d hate to have to stand you in a corner. 😉
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Everyone has a talent. They just have to find it
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Some later than others.
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You mean there’s still hope for me??
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I guess there’s an upside to everything. Now that the tea shop is closing, perhaps I should consider this as an alternative job. 🙂
janet
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I wouldn’t want to give you ideas, Janet. 🙂
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Good one. Enjoyed it!
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Thanks you!
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Brilliant Sandra, I admire their positive attitude. The ending gave me a good chuckle. 🙂
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Thanks Iain! 🙂
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Makes it all worthwhile, doesn’t it?
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Not quite all, but good enough.
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I enjoy getting older. All of a sudden so many things don’t matter anymore, it’s quite relaxing.
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I enjoy not caring too. It’s quite cathartic.
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Love this twist!
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Thanks for reading.
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Your late is my early… Fun stuff and made me think of the Frankie and Grace episode where they want to buy a pack of smokes but are totally invisible… so Frankie steals them!
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Not familiar with that, but it sounds fun. Lots of opportunity there.
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What we see is often misleading – but not your story telling – I loved where you took this.
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Thanks for reading Michael.
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I’ve been invisible for years and I don’t mind a bit. I wonder what the cut off age is for us ladies as far as men are concerned? I know it’s well before we’re past our prime!
Love this tale, Sandra and that knowing wink of a last line is just perfect
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I don’t think there is a cut-off age, Lynn. Rather I think one’s area of the pond of life gets shallower and shallower. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
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Does the pond get so shallow, your only company becomes bottom feeders? 🙂 Always a pleasure to read your work, Sandra
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Ha! Well done. Just when I was bemoaning a gimpy knee, more wrinkles and sagging breasts you presented this spectacular idea. Thanks!
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Any way I can help Alicia. I have other tips to pass on when you’re ready. 🙂
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You had me at going without her bra. . .I wish, but I don’t have the nerve.
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For years I wished that I’d been as spectacularly endowed as my friends, but now I see the compensation for that deficit. 🙂
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So true. And for the well-endowed, time and gravity make a bra a matter of comfort 🙂
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So unnoticed, you can steal with impunity.
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Indeed.
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I laughed aloud here, thank you.
Very different from your usual, but so clever and created, of course, with a masterly touch.
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Thank you CE. I enjoyed reading a little more about you this week. 🙂
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I fictionalise a cool interview, hmm? But no one died.
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Clever take on the prompt!
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Thanks Clare. 🙂
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I knew very well a sweet lady who was a travel agent in my town for years. She passed away at the age of 88 a few years ago and she was really neat. She would go to Harrod’s frequently when she was in England and they’d say, “Hi, Shirley!” every time she walked in.
Story wonderful with attitude and character deluxe. Bravo, Sandra!
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Thanks Kent. Glad you liked it. I hope your sweet lady resisted the temptations that my character hasn’t. 🙂
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When you said that, I laughed out loud. Shirley Craig was a real character and, even though her tastes weren’t expensive, she did splurge a little. But she splurged more on life than anything else. Shirley was quite the adventuress and you would have adored her. She lived life to the full. She’s missed.
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Great twist, Sandra. I don’t think anyone could begrudge her that haul from Harrods!
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Except perhaps Harrods. 🙂 Thanks for reading Siobhan.
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i’m afraid she’ll eventually be caught with all cameras around. it’ll just be a matter of time.
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Yes, I guess the cameras are a little more discerning than humankind.
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You were describing my laid back days in Mexico until she turned to shoplifting. I wear yoga pants in public now but I haven’t resorted to theft, so all is not lost.
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Give it time, Tracey. Give it time. 🙂
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Great tale, Sandra, she seems to be reconciled to her lot and she’s taking only the best by the sounds of it.
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She understands now about ‘the best years of your life’. Thanks for reading.
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So true about seeing your own reflection. And a great last paragraph, made me smile! The best thieves are the most unremarkable-looking.
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Thanks for reading. Some days aren’t as bad as others, I find.
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Surely she’d be less noticable in Harrods if she WAS a bit smarter?
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I wonder if she could somehow steal some self-esteem 🙂 Loved it….
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Thank you. If you know where they stock it, let me know. 😉
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Uh oh! I thought this was about a shop-lifter, but, apparently, it’s not 🙂
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I relate to how she feels invisible and love that she’s learned to appreciate it, using it to her advantage. Another wonderful FF offering.
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Thank you!
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Oh dear… sounds like she is getting up to no good! 😊 a fun piece. Hope she doesn’t get caught. Being at the copshop with no bra sounds awkward!!
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I’m sure they’ve seen it all before. 😉
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You always have to play on your strengths.
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I like this take, Sandra. I couldn’t figure it out at first… now I do.
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Thanks for visiting Ted. Great pic!
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The best things in life are free (or pilfered from Harrods). Hope she has earned enough to retire before the CCTV monitors start taking notice of her, um, skills.
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Hope so too. 🙂
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I love the fact she can go unnoticed and get what she wants! I first read it as a young mother who’s let herself go… (stage of life of the reader perhaps?) Either way, it still worked!
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That’s an interesting interpretation!
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Wonderful. That last paragraph … what a winner! That story took me down one route and then you turned it around with that haul.
You might be amused to learn that one of my in-laws, now deceased, used to buy clothes from cheap stores and when she got outside in the street, transfer them into a Harrods bag so that the neighbours would be impressed when they saw her arriving home. So sad.
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Hah! I like that! Thanks for reading.
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What can I say that hasn’t been said in the other comments, Sandra.
Brilliant write …
Isadora 😎
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Thanks Isadora. I got to yours this morning. 🙂
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Pretty upmarket shoplifter here. They must be pretty slack at Harrods – but they wouldn’t notice her anyhow, I imagine.
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Only the best for my characters. 🙂
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Your story was funnier than mine this week, Sandra. Perhaps I’m rubbing off on you. Although, I keep hoping some of your talent will rub off on me.
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You’re infectious then, I take it? 🙂 Thank you Russell.
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I remember when I first started to become invisible about ten years ago. It was a little sad then but slowly as it increases it stops mattering and you finally embrace it; some of us, obviously more than others. Lol
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Excellent indeed. Loved it 🙂
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A-ha! Here’s the upside to being old and invisible. I knew there had to be something. Great storytelling, Sandra. Top notch!
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So true. Brilliant. My world changed the day I felt like this.
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Oh I loved this very much.
❤
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