by Rose St. Andrews
Rachel Archer loved working in the department store in the toy section. She often remarked to her co-workers that kids today were so lucky - they had such great toys - and she so wished she could be a kid again. While she couldn't turn back the hands of time, there were ways of recapturing some of the magic of youth.
She hid several nights a week until all of the staff had gone home, so she could go play with all of those wonderful toys. Some people might think it odd. After all, she was twenty-three and living in New York City. She should be out partying each night, trolling the bars and clubs for guys, and getting laid on a regular basis. That wasn't Rachel's thing. She was bright and bubbly, easy to get along with and fun, but also from a small town in upstate where, as the old saying went, they rolled up the sidewalks at sunset. As a result, she had lived a very sheltered life and knew very little of the world - and even less about men.
As far as she was concerned that was fine. There would be time enough to learn about men, life, and the headaches of being a grown up. For now, she could just play. Her favorite toy of all was the very expensive rocking horse. It was magnificent! It was a rocking horse like off of some old antique carousel, and just the sight of it made her smile. She also fit so nicely in its saddle. At a couple inches under five feet and barely one hundred pounds, Rachel could pass for a jockey - or even a little girl. Several of the staff joked that the reason she was so good at selling toys was that she was actually a kid in disguise.
Late one Friday, she did as she always did: hid in the employee restroom until everyone was gone. Sneaking out, her first stop was the cafeteria, where she'd snag some dinner. Technically, she was stealing, but it was all the food left over from that day, which was going to be thrown out in the morning anyway, so she figured it was okay.
After that, she raced up to the toy department and started playing. Tonight she went to the dolls and their houses, and played for about an hour. Then it was time for the biggie: the rocking horse.
Climbing on it, she took the supple leather reins in her hands, put her feet in the stirrups, and cried out, "Giddy-up!"
She was off, in her mind she was racing over open fields, leaping over tall hedges, and beating all of her friends to the finish line. As with every night, it was a great ride. However, this night she was so enthusiastic that she rode it a little too hard. Leaning very far forward, she tumbled over its head. She heard a snap and a tear, and felt polished wood against her stomach.
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