Canal Street Epiphany

Maddy and I were shopping on Canal Street in New York City. My polite “No thank you” replies to the onslaught of “Tiffany! Tiffany! You buy?” catcalls clearly indicated my novicity.

Thirteen blocks of brand-name idolatry was her pilgrimage, but I didn’t see any religious icons in the dimly lit backroom we entered solemnly.

Behind faux red velvet curtains, a thousand ordinary pocketbooks lined the walls; two Asian women exchanged furtive glances and slipped our twenties into small black pouches.

Later, in the car, I looked at my purchase ambivalently.

“Is that a Coach bag?” Maddy gasped. “OH MY GOD!”

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100-word fiction, ©2011 by Jen Payne

1905, Mulberry Street, looking South toward Canal Street; found on Straats’ Flicker photostream here.