Off the Record

There’s this dress in the window of a shop on Delmar.  I’ve had dreams about it. Each time I pass, I stop and think, What if I had that dress? How different would I feel if I wore that dress around the house, into town or out to a party?

Would I gain the freedom people feel when they get a dog? Or receive a new haircut?

Or just get back from Europe? Or recently broke up with their controlling boyfriend? Or made love for the first time? Or experienced the city on a motorcycle?

Would I feel like people do after they have an emotional moment with their father? Or when one finally understands calculus? Or when they complete the New York Times crossword?

Or maybe I would just feel like every other girl in a dress.