Inner beauty

For the Memorial Day long weekend, Vera visited Amy, her friend in Stowe, Vermont. Her trip was planned at the last minute, but both had been wanting to see each other for quite some time. She thought, with their busy schedules, that this might have been the best time for it to happen.

Vera and Amy had met in college in Boston. After graduating from Emerson, Vera stayed in town and found a job working for a local TV station. Amy, on the other hand, went back home to Vermont, to care for her aging and ailing parents while looking for a job there. Soon after she relocated, both passed away and left her his farmhouse to manage.

She had her hands full with the farm. Yet, she managed to make some friends when she came back from college. While most of her childhood friends had left to find jobs elsewhere, there was that one special person—her high school crush—who had come back, just like her.

His name was Jeff, and he managed the local and only antique shop in Stowe. Amy had told Vera about him, how they met since nineth grade, the school plays they had been in together, how they liked each other but had different ambitions. So, she did not think a relationship would have been in her cards. But fate changed all of that. They were now together, and Vera couldn’t wait to meet her friend’s Prince Charming, Jeff.

The morning after she arrived, on Saturday, Vera woke up to the smell of freshly grinded coffee. Amy remembered their days in college when Vera would insist on waking up with good coffee to help her study wake up or stay up and study. So, she made sure she would enjoy some of that when she woke up.  

While she was still tired from her long drive up, Vera decided to go downstairs, to look for Amy. Since she was nowhere to be found, she deiced to help herself with some of the coffee and wait for her. They had not made or talked about any plans, except to just catch up with each other’s lives. She looked forward to relaxed weekend, far from the stress of her work.  

When she reached the kitchen, she found not only the coffee but also a freshly baked banana bread, covered with chocolate chips on tops—her favorite. This was a treat to wake up to. Undecided on whether she should wait for Amy or not, she reached for a cupboard to find a mug.

Right at that moment, Amy walked in the kitchen, from the backdoor.  

“Hey sleepy head!” she said, greeting Very as she opened the door.

“Mornin’—” she replied with a yawn. “I knocked on your bedroom door earlier, then I figured I might find you here.”

“I was out!” she replied, pointing at her dog.

“I figured,” said smiling.

“Hey, I know we have not made any plans for the weekend, but I was thinking. I need to get some things at the market. Wanna come? You’ll get to see town a bit and also meet Jeff!”

“Jeff. THAT Jeff?” she said with a smile.

“Yes, THAT Jeff! We can stop at his shop. He generally opens at 11. By the time we’re done shopping, he will have the shop open,” she said with a wink.

“Sure, can’t wait!”

They briefly sat around the kitchen island, drinking coffee until they realized they need to get ready.  

Amy did not change her clothes and Vera didn’t take long. The caffeine had kicked in and she was ready to go out.

On their way out however, Vera noticed the beautiful mirror on the hallway. She stopped to admire it, touched the wood framing with her fingers, while combing her hair with her right hand.

“You like it?”

“Love it. It’s beautiful and a statement piece in your hallway. New?”

“Statement piece. Pff, look at you! Are you now into antiques? Thought it was not your THING!”

“No, don’t give me wrong. Once in a while, I check stores on Newberry Street.”

“Oh, you so fancy! Jeff can get you one of these if you’d like.”

“This may sound silly, it’s almost as if your mirror makes one look prettier,” she said looking at her reflection.

“Okay, that’s enough vanity. Let’s go,” Amy replied, pulling her to walk out.

On their way to the farmers market, Vera could help thinking about she looked on the mirror.

Amy looked at her and said, “You okay?”

“Yes,” she replied, smiling gently.

The market was not very crowded. They looked for seasonal fruits and vegetables. The berries looked and smelled amazing, but Amy preferred to buy some peaches, tomatoes, and okra. She had a special dish in mind for dinner.

While Amy was paying for these, Vera walked to the flower stand. She was taken by all the vibrant seasonal colors until she picked up from a bucket the most stunning arrangement. She thought this would have been appropriate to bring to cemetery later. She wanted to pay her respects to Amy’s moma and papa. She remembered them fondly, from the days when both struggled in college and Amy’s parents would drive down and bring all kinds of delicious homemade foods for them to have. She was grateful for that.   

Before paying for the flowers, she added one more bouquet, for her friend and host for the weekend and discreetly placed it behind the larger bouquet.

“Flowers?”

“Yes, for your parents. You promised we would stop by.”

“Of course, I visit every Sunday. We’ll go tomorrow.”

“Great”

“Let’s go! I think someone is waiting to finally meet you,” she said smiling with expectations in her eyes.

Jeff’s antique shop. It was just around the corner. As soon as Amy’s car pulls over, he came out, eager to greet them. He had been waiting.

“Hi, I am Jeff!” he says to Vera, before giving a kiss to Vera.

“Nice to meet you,” she replied.

“I’ve heard so much about—“ Amy interrupted him with a kiss.

“Common in. Forget the mess. I’ve been doing some inventory.”

“What is that?” Amy interrupted again. She was pointing at large boxes.

“New acquisitions” he replied while observing intensely Vera.

Inside, Jeff’s shop looked like the cave of Ali Baba. It had a bit of everything. Some old and dusty, some shiny and expensive looking. His cashier’s desk—which was also his office space—faced the window. From there, he could see anyone come in or leaving. It was not messy at all, it was tidy.

Vera thought to herself, “Hugh, he has good taste and must be making quite some money with all these things. Amy is one lucky gal!”

Suddenly she hears Amy saying, “Hon’, Vera likes the mirror in the vestibule. The one you brought from New Orleans, right? I can’t remember.”

“Oh, yes, Nola. Yeah? You liked that,” said Jeff looking toward Vera.

“I do. I told Amy earlier that is stunning statement piece.”

“It’s a pair, actually.”

“A pair?” Vera was intrigued. “When you stare at it, it’s almost as if it reflects a better you.”

“Funny you should say that. The person I bought it from said something about that. That if you look at it intensely and make a wish, it will come true.”

Amy laughed.

“Seriously thought, that’s literally what she said!” continued Jeff.

Amy thought he was playing into her friend’s feeling just to get her to buy the other mirror. She did not expect what would come next.

“Really? Think I might buy it then,” replied Vera.

She immediately reached for her wallet.

“Are you sure,” said Amy.

“May be the mirror will lead me to prince charming, just like you,” she whispered to her friend.

As soon as she finished saying those words, it started to rain.

“Odd,” said Jeff looking out the window. “Rain was not on today’s forecast.”

“May showers,” added Amy while looking at the exact copy of her mirror.

It was identical to the one she had, to the smallest detail in the frame.

After paying for her new acquisition, Vera had lunch with the couple. They went across the street, at the local tavern, since it kept raining. And it continued to rain until late in the evening.

On Sunday, Amy took Vera to the cemetery. They stopped by Jeff’s shop, but he was not there.

He later texted Amy and said he would like to stop by the farmhouse, if they did not have any plans. He had wanted her to enjoy time with her friend. They agreed on having dinner together. Before leaving, Jeff told Vera her how happy he was that she had liked the mirror and purchased the identical one he had offered Amy.

Witnessing how happy her friend was, she wished the same for her herself. So, she was equally happy and anticipated good thing when she returned to Boston. She was convinced the mirror would help with that.

Upon her return home, Vera placed the new acquired antique mirror in her bedroom. She did not want anyone’s wishes to come true before hers. So, no one, except her, could see the ornament.

Three went by and nothing happened. Until one day, as she looked into the mirror, she noticed a small crack forming on its surface. It read, “True beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.”

Intrigued by these words, she started to question the meaning behind them. She was both curious and slightly disappointed though because she had been waiting for a miracle.

As time went by, Vera started to realize that her obsession with her appearance and finding Prince Charming was not bringing her the happiness she had hoped for. She would however continue to make her wishes every night, before going to bed, hoping that something magical would happen. But still, nothing had changed in her life.

She began to question the true meaning of beauty and the importance of external validation. Determined to uncover the truth, she decided to meet people from different walks of life.

On this journey, she visited nursing homes, homeless shelters, and orphanages, where she met individuals who had faced hardships and challenges but still radiated an inner beauty that captivated her. She also started volunteering at local charities after work, helping those less fortunate than her.

Through these acts of kindness, she formed deep connections with people she would have never met and learned to appreciate the beauty in their diversity. She also started to realize that beauty was not defined by physical appearance, but by the strength of character, kindness, and compassion one possesses. She learned that true acceptance came from within and that seeking validation from others would never bring her lasting happiness.

The people she met, the stories of resilience they shared with her and the inner beauty she has witnessed inspired her. Through these, Vera discovered her talents and passions, she began to embrace her uniqueness and started to let go of the need for external validation. Compassionate for others, she was naturally able to share their stories. This helped her build self-confidence.

One evening, while gazing into the mirror before going to bed, she noticed her won reflection had changed. It was not the image she’s used to seeing. Instead of focusing on her flaws, she saw a young woman full of potential, kindness, and resilience. In that moment, she understood those words, that true beauty lied within.

As she continued her journey, she met a young man who was captivated by her genuine kindness and inner beauty, beyond her physical appearance. He admires her courage, intelligence, and the kindness she shows to others. They form a deep connection based on mutual respect and understanding.

Overtime, from being friends, they eventually fell in love. This young man, who saw her for who she truly was, becomes her Prince Charming. Through this experience, Vera learned that true happiness and acceptance came from within, not from the opinions of others. She also came to the realization that she did not need to be a beauty queen—as she had always wanted—to be loved and respected. Instead, she embraced her unique qualities and used them to make a positive impact on the world surrounding her.

The crack in the mirror served as a metaphor for breaking people’s superficial desires and the discovery of true self. It reminded Vera that beauty was not defined by external appearances, but rather, by the love, kindness, and compassion shown to others.

In the end, Vera decided to quit her job as a reported and became a beacon of light for women and teenagers who struggled with self-acceptance. She became a public speaker and toured the country to teach the valuable lesson that true beauty shines brightest from within. And as she looked into the mirror once more, she saw the reflection of a confident, compassionate, and beautiful soul staring back at her.

True beauty is not something to be sought after or acquired. It is something that already exists within each person, waiting to be discovered and embraced.