Lipstick memories

     She held her head high, walking the main street of the city. Her high heeled shoes hurt a bit but so worth the looks she got. She had her hair done yesterday up high on her head the color of lilac. She took extra time this morning choosing the dress she would wear something loose and flowing. One of his favorites she remembered.

     Her hand shook a little as she put on her lipstick and a touch of blush on her cheeks. Looking one last time in the mirror, she gathered her umbrella and light sweater heading out the door and beginning the walk into the city. She so enjoyed looking in the store windows especially at the latest fashions that brought a smile as she realized the dress, she was wearing she had bought thirty years ago and was now the height of fashion. Maybe that’s why she got so many smiles?

     Like every trip into the city, she stopped in at the corner diner where they had shared so many moments together drinking chocolate malts with two straws, laughing and planning their life together. They had always sat in the booth closest to the door, and if it were occupied, she would patiently wait until it was empty.

     Making her way to the city square, she stopped for a minute and freshened up her lipstick before taking a seat on the bench in front of the war memorial. The city had built the monument after world war two and on it were the names of those who gave all including her beloved William. They had married just three weeks before he shipped off taking her lipstick kisses with him telling her in the first and only letter that he never washed it off.

    She sat alongside others who had paused for a moment and paid respect to those who never came home. Most had heads bowed saying a prayer and others like herself putting on fresh lipstick and remembering those few happy weeks sharing a chocolate malt.

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