Today is the beginning of the official Wool Week events. To kick off the fun, Lori's opened her thrift store in the Community Center, with all proceeds going to the Love a Longwool campaign. Well, actually, she's the first event because almost everyone needs to pick up a jacket or other cool-weather clothes. Islandshire is not used to this awful weather. That's probably why Lori has so many winter clothes left in her store. They aren't exactly fast movers around here and usually only sell when the locals are travelling to some off-island place. It was a lot of work to get all these things into the Center, but the Merry Men Club pitched in (that's all the boys) and made it happen. Even Eliot helped.
Lori's Thrift is the biggest and most popular store on the Island. She only had time (and volunteers) to move a portion of her merchandise into the Community Center for Wool Week, so only those things appropriate for using during this freak cold spell made the final cut. I know, I know. So, she also brought a few of her large, heavy items. Items which she's really hoping to unload . . . I mean sell. It can get awfully tiring to squeeze around those things week after week. And the boys really didn't mind moving them. At least, they said they didn't. Things are going to get pretty busy in here, so we're offering you a pre-sale peak before the customers arrive. Trudy (owner, reporter and photographer of the Islandshire Gazette) snapped some great photos for us.
During the wee hours of opening morning, Lori's phone rang at home. Sonja's panic was audible through the phone line. "Lori, help! I have absolutely NOTHING fit to wear in this weather. I'm not exaggerating. I don't even have enough warm clothes to decently cover myself to get to the sale. I've been awake all night worrying about this and still haven't come up with an answer. What am I going to do? Do you even have anything for sale in my size? I'm talking head to toe, so it'd be nice if I could find enough to make it seem as though I meant to put an outfit together. But I really don't mind what it looks like. I just don't know what to do. What am I going to do, Lori? Sniff, sniff . . ."
Lori had to wait until Sonja stopped to blow her nose and dry her tears before she could answer. "Don't worry, Sonja! I've got you covered! If you can meet me over at the Center in fifteen minutes, I'll open up just for you. Together we'll find something for you to wear before anyone else on the Island is even awake. No one will see you. Do you have a warm blanket to wrap yourself in? Stop crying, Sonja. Everything will be all right."
Fifteen minutes later, a sleepy-looking Lori unlocked the door and Sonja ran into the warm Center. She wasn't kidding, Lori thought to herself. A short-sleeved pajama top, thin leggings, slippers, and a top from an old fleece pajama set. She really wasn't kidding. Lori was excited about being able to help but couldn't help but wonder why Sonja hadn't asked her before this. You know, during waking hours. Now, where had she set her lemonade and pretzel? "Sonja, we'll both start looking and pull everything in your size. Then we can put together an outfit for you. The crowds won't be here for hours, so take your time. Oh, and I've washed and dried everything, so you can wear it right away. You start over there, and I'll go to the other side. Do you see where I set my lemonade?"
Lori had to wait until Sonja stopped to blow her nose and dry her tears before she could answer. "Don't worry, Sonja! I've got you covered! If you can meet me over at the Center in fifteen minutes, I'll open up just for you. Together we'll find something for you to wear before anyone else on the Island is even awake. No one will see you. Do you have a warm blanket to wrap yourself in? Stop crying, Sonja. Everything will be all right."
Fifteen minutes later, a sleepy-looking Lori unlocked the door and Sonja ran into the warm Center. She wasn't kidding, Lori thought to herself. A short-sleeved pajama top, thin leggings, slippers, and a top from an old fleece pajama set. She really wasn't kidding. Lori was excited about being able to help but couldn't help but wonder why Sonja hadn't asked her before this. You know, during waking hours. Now, where had she set her lemonade and pretzel? "Sonja, we'll both start looking and pull everything in your size. Then we can put together an outfit for you. The crowds won't be here for hours, so take your time. Oh, and I've washed and dried everything, so you can wear it right away. You start over there, and I'll go to the other side. Do you see where I set my lemonade?"
There were so many things to choose from that Sonja felt better about actually being able to get to the Wool Week events. She has a style all her own and likes to put crazy and colorful combinations together, so thrifting is just up her alley. Lori was unusually quiet while going through the racks, because she was thinking about how long it had taken to wash and dry all these clothes. It sure would be nice if someone on the Island would volunteer to help. It was probably just the lack of sleep that night, but she sure was glad that she didn't have to do all that laundry again.
Sonja, on the other hand, was anything but quiet. "Oh, Lori! You're such a good friend. I think this is going to work. I'm sorry for waking you up. Do you mind very much? I see a number of things that might work. Are you sure I'm not too much bother? Oh, I wish I'd been able to call yesterday, but I spent all my time helping Mabel and Joan get their things together . . . you know, they're not very fast or strong . . . and the daylight was gone before I knew it. I'm sorry, but I couldn't sleep for worrying about having to miss all the Wool Week events because of not having warm clothes. I owe you a big one!"
Lori felt really bad now about questioning Sonja's having waited till the last minute. "Of course you're no trouble. I'm glad I could help. Sonja, stop crying! You're getting the clothes all wet! We've got a lot of nice things to choose from. Let's start sorting through to make an outfit. I still can't find my lemonade. Is it over there?"
Sonja, on the other hand, was anything but quiet. "Oh, Lori! You're such a good friend. I think this is going to work. I'm sorry for waking you up. Do you mind very much? I see a number of things that might work. Are you sure I'm not too much bother? Oh, I wish I'd been able to call yesterday, but I spent all my time helping Mabel and Joan get their things together . . . you know, they're not very fast or strong . . . and the daylight was gone before I knew it. I'm sorry, but I couldn't sleep for worrying about having to miss all the Wool Week events because of not having warm clothes. I owe you a big one!"
Lori felt really bad now about questioning Sonja's having waited till the last minute. "Of course you're no trouble. I'm glad I could help. Sonja, stop crying! You're getting the clothes all wet! We've got a lot of nice things to choose from. Let's start sorting through to make an outfit. I still can't find my lemonade. Is it over there?"
In no time at all, Sonja had a nice wool jumper, a sweater and some shiny boots. Lori knew just what was missing.
"What do you think of these tights, Sonja? They'd match your outfit, and they're so YOU!" Lori is very good at selling things . . . I mean helping people find what they want.
"Oh, you're right! They are so me! This is the perfect outfit!" Sonja's arms were piled high with her new clothes. "Thanks so much for doing this for me. I couldn't have done it without you, and now I get to attend the Wool Week events! I feel so much better. And all because of your kindness. If I can ever do anything for you, please just let me know. Day or night. Just ask. I'm a little worried about getting home without being seen. Do you think anyone will be out there right now?"
Lori had to laugh at that. Sonja is always worried about something and always afraid that she's imposing on everyone. And she's really the sweetest thing! Lori suggested that her friend could change into her new clothes right there in the Center, but Sonja just shook her head. "I'll chance it and hope there's enough time to get home and change before anyone sees me. I'm sure these things are just perfect for me."
"No problem, Sonja. You head on home before the others wake up, and I'll see you later. Come back any time, if something doesn't work." Lori knew that the real reason for this rush was because her friend likes to get dressed in front of a mirror, to make sure that the craziness of her outfits looks planned and doesn't leave the impression that she's totally devoid of any fashion sense. Sonja has a style all her own, and she wouldn't be Sonja any other way.
Lori had to laugh at that. Sonja is always worried about something and always afraid that she's imposing on everyone. And she's really the sweetest thing! Lori suggested that her friend could change into her new clothes right there in the Center, but Sonja just shook her head. "I'll chance it and hope there's enough time to get home and change before anyone sees me. I'm sure these things are just perfect for me."
"No problem, Sonja. You head on home before the others wake up, and I'll see you later. Come back any time, if something doesn't work." Lori knew that the real reason for this rush was because her friend likes to get dressed in front of a mirror, to make sure that the craziness of her outfits looks planned and doesn't leave the impression that she's totally devoid of any fashion sense. Sonja has a style all her own, and she wouldn't be Sonja any other way.
Lori was glad Sonja had called her so early, because now the early morning hours were flying by. She finally found her lemonade (a little watered down but still nice and cold) and finished the pretzel. Wow! Not a minute to spare. Sonja will have had just enough time to run into her house and change. Guess I'd better unlock the door and put up the OPEN sign. Look at that, customers coming down the street already. Boy, is this sad or what? I'm talking to MYSELF . . .
"Toni and Jacqui! I'm so glad you came early! Aren't you clever to beat the crowds?!" Lori was very excited to have someone to talk to besides herself. "Can I interest you in a great TV? Or a bowling ball? Or a washer and dryer?" These are all heavy items that Lori's been wanting to get rid of, I mean sell, for some time now. Considering the fact that Toni and Jacqui are in the process of opening an upscale fashion boutique on the Island, they were probably not the ones to ask. But you can't blame a girl for trying. "No, thanks. We're here to see about sprucing up these old outfits. They're not quite adequate for this weather, but we only need something that will get us through the week, and there isn't enough time to fashion something from scratch. We'll holler if we need help." As they all headed over to the clothes rack, Jacqui mumbled to Toni, "Maybe we should carry a line of wool coats in our boutique."
Since the twins were old hands at rummaging through her inventory, Lori regrouped for the next attack . . . I mean offer to help. Maybe the next customer would want a large item. Here comes someone. Oh, it's only Kelly. She won't want a big item. Besides which, she can never make up her mind about what to buy. I'm gonna have to wait for someone else. Lori started thinking about ways to make that old bowling ball and its bag in the corner look more appealing. In the meantime, Kelly had spotted a Lotso bear in a pile of plush over in a dark corner. Now that was something she needed! "Hi, Toni! Where's Jacqui? Oh, hi, Jacqui! Don't you guys think this is the cutest little bear? You weren't going to buy it, were you? After all, you were here first." Toni thanked her for her thoughtfulness and went back to looking for winter gear. Kelly grabbed the bear.
The cold draft coming across the hall floor announced the entrance of Capitola, one of Islandshire's newer residents. "Hi, Cap! Looking for anything special? Great deals here today, and all proceeds benefit the 'Love a Longwool' campaign. Can I interest you in a really nice TV? Or a bowling ball? Or a washer and dryer?" Lori didn't give her a chance to even look anywhere else in the store. Cap apologized and said she was just there for some warm clothes. Oh, rats! Where's my lemonade?
Thankfully, Jacqui called for Lori just then, giving Cap a chance to look at some hiking boots and baseball caps. She sure didn't need an old bowling ball, even if it did have its original bag. Jacqui was over by the shoes, holding a pair of white fluffy boots. "Lori! Lori! Look at what we found! These are just the thing for our outfits. Any chance in a million that you have a second pair? I know that's not usually the case with thrifting, but we need two pairs of these."
"Believe it or not, I think it was Jill and Silver who donated those, and there were two pairs. Boy, I hope the kids brought them over here with the other stuff. Lemme look down in the corner. Maybe they're hiding. You know, you have to dig around here, because there's a ton of stuff . . . see, like this nice old bowling ball. Wow, it even comes with its original bag." Jacqui and Toni ignored the bit about the bowling ball and stood hoping for the boots.
Digging around at a thrift store is definitely the way to shop, and Kelly is a pro. She found a large basket filled with soft hats. But what's a girl to do? "Which one should I buy? Maybe I should try each one on, right?"
She reached into the hat basket. "How about this bright red beret? It matches my t-shirt and feels like it fits pretty well, too."
"Nice hat, Kelly. It suits you to a T," offered Cap, as she passed by on her way to the register.
Lori had located the second pair of fur boots for the twins and ran over to check Cap out. "Sure you're not interested in a TV or the bowling ball?" "Sorry, Lori, but I don't need either one. I'll be sure to spread the word, though, because maybe someone will be coming that needs their own . . . old bowling ball." "Be sure to tell them it has its original matching bag!" By the time Cap turned around to leave, Kelly had another hat on her head and a third one in her hand. "They're both cute, Kelly!" This wasn't helping Kelly very much, because her decision just kept getting bigger. She liked all the hats so far.
The next cold draft blew in Johanna and Vesey. Great, thought Lori. I'll give them a really good sales pitch and hope they realize how much they need one of the larger items. Catch 'em when they're fresh! "Hi, guys! Welcome to the Thrift. All proceeds today go to the 'Love a Longwool' campaign, so your purchases support a good cause. Can I interest you in a super nice TV? A bowling ball? A washer and dryer? I'm ready to deal!" One look at their faces, and Lori knew she was wasting her breath again. Yep, that looks like disinterest, for sure.
"Thanks for the offer, but we're really here for some sweaters or something. It's kinda cold out there." Kelly was still trying on hats, so Lori continued to concentrate on the new arrivals. "Okay. Look around all you want. If you change your minds, though -- about the good stuff I just mentioned -- just let me know." Lori took a bite out of a Twizzler stick and tried to rethink her sales pitch. Maybe she wasn't being assertive enough.
Buyers continued to come and go. Jacqui and Toni had found everything they needed and were ready to check out. Kelly was trying on another hat and asking Johanna what she thought of the fur trim. "Cute, Kelly! You should buy that one." Uh-oh. Now she had four hats to pick from, with more still in the basket.
Buyers continued to come and go. Jacqui and Toni had found everything they needed and were ready to check out. Kelly was trying on another hat and asking Johanna what she thought of the fur trim. "Cute, Kelly! You should buy that one." Uh-oh. Now she had four hats to pick from, with more still in the basket.
The twins were still piling up purchases on the counter. It isn't every day that you find two of anything in a thrift store! Today they were leaving with matching capes, boots, and mittens. Lori was thinking how glad she was that Jill and Silver had donated two of everything. Suddenly, a new sales pitch popped into Lori's mind. Something that had to work. "Girls, I'll make you a deal on the washer and dryer. You volunteer to wash and dry all the thrift donations, and I'll give the set to you for free. Free! Now, tell me you can turn that deal down!"
Apparently they could turn it down. It didn't seem to have the appeal that Lori thought it would. "Um. No, thanks. You get a lot of donations, and we're pretty busy setting up our boutique right now. Sorry, but we'll be sure to pass the word along."
Lori wasn't discouraged. There'd be lots more customers throughout the day. Surely someone would want to take home the heavy stuff. Oh, there's Leo coming in . . . but she's just here for some warm PJs and a robe. "No problem. Lots to choose from right over here in the pajamas section. Robes are hanging over there on the rack, and slippers are next to the register in the bins. Do you see a lemonade cup anywhere?" "It's right over there on the checkout counter, Lori."
Lori needed a little time to think up a new approach, but more customers were lining up at the register. "Johanna, what do you think of this one?" Kelly asked, as she turned to show off the big pompoms. Johanna gave Kelly a big thumbs-up and stepped up to pay. "Are you ready to check out, Johanna? Nice choice! If you change your mind about the bowling ball, don't forget where you saw it first! Was it raining when you came in?" Lori was wondering if the bad weather might be the reason that everyone was turning down her deals on the big items. Well, she couldn't do anything about that . . .
Vesey was in and out like a flash, because he was already late for breakfast at the diner with the other guys. The sweater for the awful weather was okay, but the real treasure was a nifty Lacrosse net. He'd been thinking about it since he and the other Merry Men had carried it to the Community Center yesterday. You never know when a chappie might need a handy thing like that. Lori was very glad to have unloaded, I mean sold, that net, even if it wasn't big or heavy. There wasn't a lot of call for one of those on Islandshire, but she did pride herself on having something for everyone. Exit Vesey, enter Masami and Connie.
Kelly had finally made a decision. As she turned around to tell everyone, she nearly ran Leo down. "Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me, Leo. Guess what? I've finally decided. I've decided not to decide." Leo couldn't help but think that was a new one for the books. "I'll just buy all the hats and take them home. I can always donate some back later. Guess I'd better take the basket, too, or I won't have anything to keep them in." Everyone knew and about Kelly's indecisiveness. It's part of what makes her Kelly!
Masami managed to get past Lori and over to the clothes rack without hearing about the TV or the bowling ball (having been warned by others at the door). She slipped in behind Leo and started flipping through the coats and sweaters, looking for something with long sleeves. "I found it," she said to everyone and no one. "A Grape Soda-coloured jacket, and it's MY size!" Masami is into the Pixar movie UP in a big way.
Lori hadn't noticed Masami, because she was sure that Connie was the one she'd been waiting for. After all, Connie pretty much only wears PJs and slippers. And she likes to stay home. And she watches a LOT of movies. Right, thought Lori to herself. I'll approach this time in a more casual, roundabout way. "Hi, Connie! I'm so glad you came today. There are a lot of slippers and PJs here today, and did you see this really nice hot-water bottle? It's quality, back from the years when things were made to last!"
"Oh, that's just what I need. Thank you. You're such a good friend to all your customers." Made Lori feel a bit like the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing. She wasn't beat yet, though. Connie went into raptures when she saw all the slippers. "There are so many to choose from. Oooh . . . these penguin slippers are just what I need. I've got a pair of jammies that will match these perfectly."
"Well, now that you've got some new slippers . . . step right over here to look at something you'll just love." Lori ushered the unsuspecting Connie toward the back wall. "Look at this! It's a really nice TV. Practically the latest model . . ." Always polite, Connie tried to interrupt but gave up when Lori kept right on talking. ". . . Only a few years old, just old enough to be broken in and in its prime. Even comes with a nifty remote that's easy to understand and a disc player that's top-notch quality. It's a 4:3 model, just perfect for all those old movies you watch. The minute the boys walked in with this, you sprang to mind. Where else could you get a deal like this? Bet you won't find another one this nice on the whole of the Island!"
Lori paused and smiled her best smile, giving her target . . . I mean buyer, time to react. Connie's little voice answered simply, "But . . . I have a TV already . . . and it's widescreen . . . with a Blu-Ray player and a Firestick for Disney Plus." Thankfully, Kelly stepped up to the checkout counter just at that moment, saving Connie from having to listen to another sales pitch or having to come up with a firmer refusal. Lori reluctantly went to help Kelly, certain that one more minute and she'd have had Connie roped in . . . I mean ready . . . to buy the TV.
Kelly had so many items to buy that she was bent over with the size of the pile. There was the whole basket full of hats (not including the one still on her head); a bright red, striped hoodie jacket; and the cuddly old Lotso bear. Lori thought that the hat Kelly was wearing was cute enough on her to be the only one she bought that day, but she really didn't want to cart that full basket back to the store. "Nice choices, Kelly. They're all very you."
"Sure you don't need some help carrying all that?" "No, but thanks for the offer, Masami. I'll be . . . fine." She practically dropped Lotso out of the basket, trying to stop the hat from falling down over her eyes. "I think I'll help you home anyway," said Masami, grabbing one side of the basket. "I'm going that way, and if you don't mind stopping at the Fruit Stand, we can have a smoothie together." Kelly accepted the help with a big grin, but she spent the whole walk there trying to decide which flavor to order.
Noon came before she knew it, and it was time to close the shop for lunch. Lori, never one for full meals anyway, had a lot to do before the later crowd arrived. Time enough to down another Twizzler stick and straighten the shelves. Maybe she should even get out for a fresh Lemonade and another Wetzel Pretzel. Her mind was elsewhere, though, and she was glad for the quiet and lack of distraction. The morning had gone very well, but not one of the heavy items was gone yet. The Merry Men aren't going to be very merry about this. It must have been my sales pitch. Talking to herself was going to get her nowhere. Maybe the afternoon customers would be more open to a TV . . . or a washer and dryer . . . or a bowling ball. She needed some time to rethink her approach. She must be doing something wrong.
So, who will buy the TV? What is Vesey going to do with that net? Will Lori get the new lemonade and pretzel? Come back tomorrow for questions like these and more. Like, will Lori find . . . um . . . buyers for those white elephants?