The Burden of Vanity

The Burden of Vanity

She swished through the ladies section of a department store, smiling politely, her chin raised in dignity, her stylish mu`umu`u afloat about her ankles, her white hair drawn back in a neat bun and set off with a rosy hibiscus.
Then, "Oh!" Like a shot, suddenly, glancing to the side, she found herself in a mirror, inches away, every wrinkle, every pore, enlarged. Her shopping bag fell to the floor.
"Oh!" she said again. And kicked that wicked mirror. And turned away and limped off. Leaving her package there, a sad witness.