Yellow

She loved going to the second-hand shops.

She liked browsing the household items, pictures, books, not so much the clothes.

She enjoyed imagining their owners, trying to guess the story behind them, hoping their soul will share its memories…

She spotted a glass bowl – perfect for her project. Now she will finally colour the seashells from the beach, might add a few shy lights, a sea star perhaps. Would be wonderful: a sea rainbow in a bowl.

She paid for it and hurried up toward the door, impatient and excited…

But then, something very yellow caught her eye. And it was her yellow: not lemony and shouty, but the one that carries the warmth of the sunset and the tenderness of autumn.

And the coat was her size – petite!

Well, she needed something to wrap the bowl in anyway, and it was only $7.

***

“Look at my new yellow coat” - she said to her daughter once home.

“It’s awesome, mamma, may I wear it tomorrow?”

She liked sharing her clothes with her daughter. She felt like sharing her spirit.

“Not tomorrow, I must take it to dry cleaners first. But you are very welcome to borrow it when is done”.

She found a space in her wardrobe. While putting the coat on a hanger, out of habit of doing the household laundry for years, she reached out to check the pockets.

There was a piece of paper inside. She opened it. A lottery ticket!

Weird, she thought. She almost threw it away but then she spotted the date: 7^th May – only seven months back. She couldn’t resist, she had to check…

Silly she felt while opening the computer but curious.

Isn’t is strange – a lottery ticket in a coats’ pocket that somebody gave away to charity.

Was that somebody’s drama or negligence…

That can’t be real, she spoke out loud when finally got the numbers, it is a winning ticket.

Not the jackpot but a substantial amount of money.

She stared at the screen - $71,446.00. She could do so much with this money.

She could go places, share experiences with her husband and kids, create memories.

“Is not your money to take, is not your luck!” - her inner voice said.

This money belongs to the person who wore the yellow coat.

How old was that lady and was it a lady?

Why would she give the coat away? Yellow is a strong colour to ware.

Has she chosen the lottery numbers, or somebody chose for her?

Are these her special numbers? The birthdays of her loved ones?

How would I find her? Is she even alive?

“Why should I look for her? I bought the coat. It is mine now, and the ticket.” – her inner voice again.

She didn’t share with the family. She didn’t want to be influenced by their opinions.

Her conscience was enough to deal with.

She decided to leave the ticket aside and get on with her day as usual. As much as usual could be with a winning lottery ticket on her desk.

Like Scarlet O’Hara said: After all, tomorrow is another day!

***

She woke up and the dream was still there. She closed her eyes again hoping to dream it a bit longer…

There it was, her house by the beach, painted in yellow. On the driveway was her little yellow car.

The sunflowers in the garden were so many and so smiley.

She was wearing a long beautiful yellow dress and her blue eyes were reflecting the ocean.

It was morning and she was sipping her coffee in the yellow egg chair on the deck from a yellow mug. Happy and bright, the day was starting…

She savoured the pieces of happiness and got up. And then decision was made.

***

She took several photos of the coat and the ticket with her mobile.

She then drove to the second-hand shop. It was unusually busy for so early in the day.

She chose not to speak with the man on the counter.

She must to go in the backroom and speak to as many more staff as possible.

It was a story to tell and the more people hear it, the more likely it is to find the person who donated the yellow coat.

She knocked on the door and went in without waiting for an answer.

There were four middle-aged people sorting all sorts of bags. They all looked at her and she felt like being back at school and not prepared to answer the teacher’s question.

“Good morning!”- she said – “I’m sorry to disturb you!”

I bought a yellow coat and a glass bowl from this shop yesterday.

“All returns must be dealt with on the front desk.” – a woman said. She was one of these women that you will think twice before approaching: confident, brisk, “don’t waste my time” kind of type.

“I’m not returning the coat nor the glass bawl. I found a lottery ticket in the coat’s pocket.

And it is a winning one.

I was wondering if you would be able to trace the person who donated this coat or use the money for a better cause.

I made several photos and I can share with you to use on social network if you feel that’s a way forward.

Anyway, the ticket is no mine to use. Here it is.”

The woman stood silent for a few seconds. She could see in her eyes all the thoughts going through her mind. The expressions on her face changing like a skilled dancer’s moves.

She could feel how her own image shifted from being a fool to a noble and generous person.

The more the woman was going through the spectrum of emotions, the more she felt content and pure.

She was asked to provide her details. Shortly after, she left, relieved.

It was not her luck to have! And somebody’s else luck would have become a spell.

She brought to her mind the savoured pieces from the yellow dream and smiled.

She would love wearing that coat.

***

“Mum, there is a bouquet of flowers somebody delivered, with your name on it. Is that from Dad or you have a secret admirer?” – her son winked.

She picked up the yellow bunch. A handcrafted card attached with a little peg on the side.

She opened it curiously. Inside, there was… a lottery ticket.