“Yes, I do.”
“How?”
The associate looked surprised.
“Because she is standing in the store shopping.”
The Black woman almost smiled.
The blonde woman did not.
“She hasn’t bought anything.”
The associate replied:
“Neither have you today.”
The second blonde woman looked away to hide a reaction.
The customer’s face tightened.
“I don’t appreciate your tone.”
“I apologize if it sounded sharp.”
“It did.”
The Black woman stepped away.
She did not want the employee punished for defending her.
She moved toward a rack of jackets.
The blonde woman remained near the jewelry case.
For several minutes, nothing else happened.
That should have been the end.
It was not.
The blonde woman followed.
Not obviously at first.
A few displays behind.
She pretended to examine a handbag.
Then a silk scarf.
Then shoes.
But every time the Black woman moved, she moved too.
The chairwoman noticed.
Of course she did.
She did not react.
The young sales associate noticed too.
She walked over.
“Would you like me to put anything aside for you?”
The Black woman touched a cream jacket.
“No, thank you.”
The associate lowered her voice.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
The associate looked toward the blonde woman.
The Black woman followed her eyes.
Then smiled.
“You haven’t done anything wrong.”
The associate nodded.
“Still.”
The Black woman softened.
“What’s your name?”
The associate told her.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For treating this like shopping.”
The employee understood.
Her expression became embarrassed.
“That should be normal.”
“Yes.”
The Black woman looked toward her.
“It should.”
Across the boutique, the blonde customer saw them talking.
Her irritation deepened.
She returned to the jewelry counter.
A different associate was closing the prototype case.
The blonde leaned closer.
“Was that bracelet put back?”
“Yes.”
“You’re sure?”
The associate looked confused.
“Yes.”
“I saw her near it.”
“We all did.”
The woman’s mouth tightened.
Then:
“I want to speak with your manager.”
The associate gestured toward a private showroom door.
“He is assisting a client. I can have him come when he’s available.”
“No.”
“I want him now.”
The associate paused.
The blonde lowered her voice.
“You should check the case.”
“We already did.”
“Check again.”
The associate opened the case.
The emerald bracelet was there.