Lori stared at that thing sitting in the corner. Maybe it's not me. Yeah! That's it! Maybe the buyers today have been "sales resistant". Maybe the cold rain has dulled everyone's ability to spot a good deal. Oh, why didn't I sell hot chocolate or something? Okay, so maybe I can still dump . . . I mean get rid of . . . I mean make someone happy with that bowling ball. And its matching bag. What if I just move over to where Nachito and Nautilus are looking at the coats, real smooth like? But forceful. Forceful (with a smile) just might help me break through this epidemic of sales resistance on Islandshire. After all, it worked on Eliot. And Nachito belongs to the same club as Eliot. Maybe I can use the old club tie on him. Here goes nothing . . .
"Hi, guys! You are just the people I've been waiting for! Did you hear about the great buy that Eliot just got? He knows a good deal when he sees one, that's for sure. I bet it's because the Merry Men club is filled with sharp boys. Just come over here with me, guys, and I'll show you both what I've been saving for you. And I think I know how you can even put it to good use. Here it is! What do you think? Wouldn't it make a perfect anchor for your boat? You'd have the only round anchor in the harbour. And look at that color, guys. It'd be almost invisible in the water. Did you notice that it already has holes in it for attaching the anchor chain? And you get the free storage case, too. That'll help you keep it nice and clean when the boat is in dry dock. I knew you'd love it! I'll just put it on your checkout receipt right now, to keep someone else from buying it out from under you. Is there anything else I can help you find?"
There were a lot of people in the store. Nachito and Nautilus looked around to see who Lori was talking to. Lori walked away to work on her sales technique. That didn't go to plan.
"Hi, guys! You are just the people I've been waiting for! Did you hear about the great buy that Eliot just got? He knows a good deal when he sees one, that's for sure. I bet it's because the Merry Men club is filled with sharp boys. Just come over here with me, guys, and I'll show you both what I've been saving for you. And I think I know how you can even put it to good use. Here it is! What do you think? Wouldn't it make a perfect anchor for your boat? You'd have the only round anchor in the harbour. And look at that color, guys. It'd be almost invisible in the water. Did you notice that it already has holes in it for attaching the anchor chain? And you get the free storage case, too. That'll help you keep it nice and clean when the boat is in dry dock. I knew you'd love it! I'll just put it on your checkout receipt right now, to keep someone else from buying it out from under you. Is there anything else I can help you find?"
There were a lot of people in the store. Nachito and Nautilus looked around to see who Lori was talking to. Lori walked away to work on her sales technique. That didn't go to plan.
Nautilus went straight for the jacket rack, with Nachito tagging along behind. "Boys don't shop for clothes, Nautilus. What's wrong with what I have, anyway? And I'm not cold." "Well, then, why don't you go talk to one of the other boys? I think I saw George over by the LPs when I walked in. I'll come and get you when I'm done here. I am cold. Besides, I haven't been thrifting for a while and it looks like Lori's brought a whole new batch of stuff over here." Nachito turned to find George, and . . . there it was. Right out in plain sight. How had he missed it before? "Nautilus, look at this. Do you think it'd fit me? It might be just what I need to keep the water and salt spray off me when I'm out on the water. I wonder who donated it. Maybe it has something wrong with it." "Try it on, fast, before someone else gets it. It is exactly what you need, brother, and it's in like-new condition! I thought you said you didn't want to look at clothes . . ." Nachito ignored his sister and went to show his new Mack to George. Nautilus continued looking until she found the perfect jacket to wear for the week and then slowly, very slowly, made her way to where her brother was standing. Lori had so many new things to look at . . .
The icy cold air on the back of her neck made Nautilus turn around to see who was coming in now. (Wool Week is, after all, the social event of the year.) Nautilus' first thought when she recognized Janie was Oh, no. She's such a very little girl and probably doesn't know about Lori's . . . um . . . special selling abilities. Nautilus took Janie aside and explained, "Janie, honey, no matter who says anything today, you do NOT need a bowling ball. Not now. Not ever. If you need any help, just come and get me." Janie just bobbed her head up and down, wondering if this was a secret code or something. After all, she just needed a pair of boots.
"Are you looking for anything in particular, Janie, or just looking to get out of the cold? Isn't this weather just awful? I only needed a jacket for Wool Week, so I have plenty of time to help you find something. Nachito and I haven't been able to go out in the boat for a few days now, what with the cold wind and rain, so I'm glad Wool Week is here to get us out of the house. Are you coming to all the Wool Week events? Oh, good! We'll have to sit together. So, can I help you find something?"
"I need a pair of warm boots to match this outfit," said Janie. "Nanea says it's important for your fashion to match, even if it's unmatched!" Everyone on Islandshire knows that Janie loves to wear her bright pink and aqua accessories. All at the same time.
"Oh, you won't have any trouble finding a pair today. Lori's got tons of stuff! But be careful, Janie. Remember, you don't need a bowling ball. Just the boots." Janie headed off to the boot rack, wondering why in the world she'd want to buy a bowling ball. Nautilus and Nachito were ready to check out, and Nautilus felt okay about leaving Janie by herself. Buyers kept coming and going, and Janie looked at every pair of boots. Don't you know that the last pair was exactly what she wanted? Very bright purple boots with furry tops. And they were just her size! As she went to the register to pay, the door opened and in walked Benny and Nanea with Raito (their off-island friend whose been spending the Summer at their house). Janie was delighted. She thinks that Nanea is the most wonderful person ever born. And Nanea is her best friend. Why, Janie even has her very own doll that looks almost like Nanea.
"Oh, Nanea! Look what I found!! Do you think these new boots match my fashion?" "Yes, Janie, they're very nice." Nanea has a lot of fashion expertise. Benny says it's because she changes her clothes so often. The boys were hoping for something a little more interesting than girl's boots, though. Like fishing poles and swimming trunks. Even a couple of jackets that might be a little warmer than their very summery clothes. All three of them were grossly underdressed for this awful weather. (Did you remember that the weather is just awful?) And Nanea has had an awful case of horripilations for days now!
With so many shoppers coming and going, Lori didn't have time for more than a quick wave with a big smile. She knew the three of them were just here for warm clothes and wouldn't need help. Nanea and Benny are regular customers and thoroughly know the ropes. Meanwhile, Mariamne was looking for winter pajamas and needed help finding something in her size, and Lori needed to empty the full RBST donation can. Janie decided to put her boots on before leaving the Community Center, sitting down right where she was. Janie doesn't like cold wind. Or cold rain. Or cold anything, for that matter. "Wow! These fit great! Thanks ever so much, Lori! Hey, Nanea, where are you? What do you think about these? They're the same color, so I'm not sure if they're really me. Nanea, where are you?" Lori smiled down at Janie, took a quick drink of her watered-down lemonade and headed off to help Mariamne.
The afternoon was growing late before Mariamne left with her new PJs and Jill and Silver blew in with the cold air. Jill doesn't do mornings. Actually, she doesn't really start to wake up until lunch time (probably because she stays up so late playing games), so you don't see the twins out together much earlier than this. In two shakes of a lamb's tail (Wool Week lingo, get it?), they found the basket of games over near the . . the you-know-what. Lori had a brilliant idea, and this time it couldn't fail. "Hey, girls! Why don't you buy all the games? And don't forget the big one sitting outside the basket. I'll even throw the basket in for FREE." Jill walked toward the register with the heavy basket, while Silver looked around for the missed game. "I don't see any other games. I'm sure we got them all." Jill set the basket down and chatted with Lori while she waited for Silver's return. "I'm so glad you brought all these games over here for today's sale. Won't they be just great for the game club? Now, we can all get together and play UNO. Do you know if all the cards are here? Forget it. We'll count them later." Then it happened. Something that Lori had never seen before. Jill got so excited that she stepped right up to the counter to pay.
"Are you sure, Jill, that you're ready to pay? Don't you want to look around a little more or wait for Silver to come back?" Unless you know the Twins well, you can't appreciate what just happened. Jill doesn't like to part with her money. In fact, you could count the cashiers on Islandshire who've ever waited on Jill on . . . well . . . one or two fingers. Silver always says that she was with Jill once when she went to pay for something and moths flew out of her purse. No one knows whether it really happened or not. But it might have happened. "Come back? Isn't Silver right behind me? Sorry, Lori. Can you just set our stuff aside until we're ready? I'd hate for someone else to come along and buy the games. Now, where is that girl? Si-i-i-lver! Oh, there you are. Are you ready to pay?"
"Are you sure, Jill, that you're ready to pay? Don't you want to look around a little more or wait for Silver to come back?" Unless you know the Twins well, you can't appreciate what just happened. Jill doesn't like to part with her money. In fact, you could count the cashiers on Islandshire who've ever waited on Jill on . . . well . . . one or two fingers. Silver always says that she was with Jill once when she went to pay for something and moths flew out of her purse. No one knows whether it really happened or not. But it might have happened. "Come back? Isn't Silver right behind me? Sorry, Lori. Can you just set our stuff aside until we're ready? I'd hate for someone else to come along and buy the games. Now, where is that girl? Si-i-i-lver! Oh, there you are. Are you ready to pay?"
Silver wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on a laundry hamper sitting on the floor next to the register. Her thoughts crowded in and blinded her to everything else. Is that what I think it is? It can't be. It IS! A Build-a-Bear Baby Yoda plush. Here. In Lori's Thrift. Who would have donated that so soon? Why hasn't someone bought this already? How could Lori have put that in there with the . . . well . . . ordinary stuffed animals?
"Sis, look! It's a BABY YODA!" Jill glanced over and laughed. Silver was what you'd call a "Baby Yoda magnet". She could spot Baby Yoda merchandise from a mile away. Jill liked Baby, too, but this special "ability" of Silver's had filled their room with a lot of Baby Yoda stuff. Baby plush that speaks, Baby plush that doesn't speak, Baby plush that's cuddly, Baby plush that's realistic, a Baby Yoda pillow buddy, posters, socks, toys, pajamas, a stationery set, disposable tableware, a plastic tablecloth, a lamp, wall clings, sheets, throws, action figures, a Golden Book, a mug, a travel cup, a Baby Yoda Monopoly game, shirts, coloring books, stickers, Funko Pops, wrapping paper, Christmas decorations, a 26" corner-standing plush, Disney pins and lanyards, an empty cereal box (no kidding) . . . and . . . did I forget anything? Oh, yeah . . . and two Build-a-Bear Baby Yoda plushes. And the boxes they came in. And the countless pre-orders that haven't shipped yet.
Silver looked at Lori, without waiting for Jill to respond, and asked, "How much do you want for it? Just kidding. But not really." The twins cracked up laughing. Quoting movies and shows is almost an obsession with them. Most of the time, nobody knows what they're talking about. "Seriously, Lori. Add it to our bill. But who could have possibly donated this cutie so soon after Phoenix's Build-a-Bear event? The person didn't even have time to get tired of it!"
Lori was quick to answer with "We get a lot of nice donations. And people on Islandshire are really excited this year about supporting Bunty's Longwool Campaign." While it didn't answer the question, both statements were actually true. It's the best she could do on such short notice, though. How do you tell your friends that you're a member of ISA (Impulse Shoppers Anonymous) and that you couldn't resist buying two Baby Yoda plushes at the Build-a-Bear event, when you really only needed one. It wasn't the first time that a donation in her Thrift Store had come from Lori's own stash at home.
Lori was quick to answer with "We get a lot of nice donations. And people on Islandshire are really excited this year about supporting Bunty's Longwool Campaign." While it didn't answer the question, both statements were actually true. It's the best she could do on such short notice, though. How do you tell your friends that you're a member of ISA (Impulse Shoppers Anonymous) and that you couldn't resist buying two Baby Yoda plushes at the Build-a-Bear event, when you really only needed one. It wasn't the first time that a donation in her Thrift Store had come from Lori's own stash at home.
"What are we going to do with another one?" asked Jill. "Won't we kinda get him confused with ours?" Silver missed the jibe. "Don't worry! We'll give him away. Someone's bound to want one. Maybe we'll do a Secret Santa package for someone who just loves Baby Yoda. Or maybe we'll just surprise somebody with him for no reason at all. I can't leave him here. We have to buy him!" Jill smiled at her sister. "Okay. As long as we're buying him, though, take a look at those matching teddy bears. We sure could use those in our room, couldn't we?" Jill reached into the bin and pulled out two sweet honey bears. Lori remembered Jacqui and Toni donating those a while back and had to laugh. "It sure is handy to have multiple sets of twins donating to the same place. Jacqui and Toni bought your boots this morning, and now their bears are going home with you. Have you guys ever thought of checking with each other before you get rid of anything?"
As Lori tallied their purchases, Jill started packing up the treasures they'd found. "Lori, we're leaving this basket with you for a future sale. Thanks for the offer, but our room is already pretty full. Instead of carrying the games home in there, we're going to stash them in this fabulous vintage suitcase that we found hiding behind the coats. What's the total? I'll let Silver drop it in the donation can, while I get the last of this packed up." Silver waited, still clutching the Baby Yoda, while Lori came up with a total. "Wow, girls! You aren't gonna believe this!" Lori held up the paper for them to see, but Silver failed to see anything noteworthy. "You hit the jackpot, girls! You get the last game over there for FREE! Silver, go back to where the game basket was and grab it. You must have just been distracted the first time. If it's too heavy for you, I'm sure that Benny or Raito will help you out. Just let me know. I'm so happy for you. It couldn't have happened to two nicer people!" Jill was busy putting coins into the donation can when Silver returned empty-handed. "I still don't see another game over there. What am I looking for?"
Lori took a deep breath and knew it was now or never. "Why . . . it's the BOWLING BALL, of course! That's the greatest GAME there is! And don't forget the matching bag! Just imagine, you almost left without it! And you guys hit the perfect total, earning you ONE FREE GAME! Wow! Wait'll the rest of the kids hear what you won! I bet they'll all be jealous!" Exhausted, she looked around for her lemonade and leaned against the counter. Jill and Silver just shook their heads, said "no but thanks anyway", and ran as fast as they could for the door. Lori looked at the clock and almost cried.
As Lori tallied their purchases, Jill started packing up the treasures they'd found. "Lori, we're leaving this basket with you for a future sale. Thanks for the offer, but our room is already pretty full. Instead of carrying the games home in there, we're going to stash them in this fabulous vintage suitcase that we found hiding behind the coats. What's the total? I'll let Silver drop it in the donation can, while I get the last of this packed up." Silver waited, still clutching the Baby Yoda, while Lori came up with a total. "Wow, girls! You aren't gonna believe this!" Lori held up the paper for them to see, but Silver failed to see anything noteworthy. "You hit the jackpot, girls! You get the last game over there for FREE! Silver, go back to where the game basket was and grab it. You must have just been distracted the first time. If it's too heavy for you, I'm sure that Benny or Raito will help you out. Just let me know. I'm so happy for you. It couldn't have happened to two nicer people!" Jill was busy putting coins into the donation can when Silver returned empty-handed. "I still don't see another game over there. What am I looking for?"
Lori took a deep breath and knew it was now or never. "Why . . . it's the BOWLING BALL, of course! That's the greatest GAME there is! And don't forget the matching bag! Just imagine, you almost left without it! And you guys hit the perfect total, earning you ONE FREE GAME! Wow! Wait'll the rest of the kids hear what you won! I bet they'll all be jealous!" Exhausted, she looked around for her lemonade and leaned against the counter. Jill and Silver just shook their heads, said "no but thanks anyway", and ran as fast as they could for the door. Lori looked at the clock and almost cried.
While this was going on, Benny and Nanea had been strolling through the store, just looking at this and that, in no real hurry to find those winter clothes. They really needed to donate stuff to the Thrift instead of buying anything else and were really only there to find something to help them through Wool Week's awful weather. In fact, before they'd left the house, they'd agreed not to buy anything that wasn't actually on their Identified Needs list. Their basement was already overflowing with "stuff", and Nanea had just finished clearing out the mess left by the squatters who'd taken the house over during the summer. Nanea looked at Benny and smiled. "Lori always has such interesting items. Surely it wouldn't hurt to just take a quick walk-through. It's not like we need anything right now. Okay?" Benny just nodded and followed her. Raito spotted the coat rack and thought he'd take a quick look.
Then it happened. Perked Lori right up when she saw it. Benny and Nanea were standing near the back wall. Right in front of . . . the WASHER & DRYER. The bowling ball was nothing compared to these white elephants. The Merry Men club members hadn't minded moving them over here for a worthy cause, but they'd made it clear that the cause was NOT worthy enough to move them back to her store without some extra help. Lori started thinking out loud again. "Okay, forget the bowling ball and the lemonade. Forceful. Be forceful." Janie, standing nearby, thought Lori was talking to her, so she followed close on her heels as Lori swooped down on her unsuspecting friends.
"Hey, guys! I'm sorry that I didn't have time to talk to you before this, but the crowds haven't died down since I opened this morning. I've had to empty the donation can six times already. Wow, Nanea that necklace is beautiful! Did you buy that from Jacqui and Toni? And Benny, you're looking very . . . sharky. Anyway, couldn't help but notice you looking at this really nice washer and dryer. What washer and dryer?" Maybe I'm not being forceful enough. "The ones right behind you, of course. Look at that, they just blend into any decor. I could see by your face, Nanea, that you think they're as pretty as I do. They're in great condition, too. Hardly used at all. Tell you what I'm gonna do. Since you're such good friends, I'm gonna make you a special Wool Week deal. A TOGO deal!"
"A TOGO deal? What's that?" Benny is a smart little fella who was beginning to smell a rat. A rat in girl's clothing. "Why, Benny! I'm surprised at a sharp boy like you not knowing about TOGO deals. I'm sure that Nanea is a savvy shopper who knows all about them. This is how it works. You take the washing machine for free -- FOR FREE -- and you get the dryer for free! TOGO. Get it? Take One Get One." Janie didn't say anything. This sounded worse than the bowling ball. Maybe she should leave and get Nautilus to come back and explain things to Nanea and Benny, too.
Then it happened. Perked Lori right up when she saw it. Benny and Nanea were standing near the back wall. Right in front of . . . the WASHER & DRYER. The bowling ball was nothing compared to these white elephants. The Merry Men club members hadn't minded moving them over here for a worthy cause, but they'd made it clear that the cause was NOT worthy enough to move them back to her store without some extra help. Lori started thinking out loud again. "Okay, forget the bowling ball and the lemonade. Forceful. Be forceful." Janie, standing nearby, thought Lori was talking to her, so she followed close on her heels as Lori swooped down on her unsuspecting friends.
"Hey, guys! I'm sorry that I didn't have time to talk to you before this, but the crowds haven't died down since I opened this morning. I've had to empty the donation can six times already. Wow, Nanea that necklace is beautiful! Did you buy that from Jacqui and Toni? And Benny, you're looking very . . . sharky. Anyway, couldn't help but notice you looking at this really nice washer and dryer. What washer and dryer?" Maybe I'm not being forceful enough. "The ones right behind you, of course. Look at that, they just blend into any decor. I could see by your face, Nanea, that you think they're as pretty as I do. They're in great condition, too. Hardly used at all. Tell you what I'm gonna do. Since you're such good friends, I'm gonna make you a special Wool Week deal. A TOGO deal!"
"A TOGO deal? What's that?" Benny is a smart little fella who was beginning to smell a rat. A rat in girl's clothing. "Why, Benny! I'm surprised at a sharp boy like you not knowing about TOGO deals. I'm sure that Nanea is a savvy shopper who knows all about them. This is how it works. You take the washing machine for free -- FOR FREE -- and you get the dryer for free! TOGO. Get it? Take One Get One." Janie didn't say anything. This sounded worse than the bowling ball. Maybe she should leave and get Nautilus to come back and explain things to Nanea and Benny, too.
Benny wasn't buying any of it, though. "Aside from the fact that we don't NEED or WANT a washer and dryer, what's the catch? I remember moving this over here yesterday, and we had an understanding about moving it back out again. Remember? So, just for the record, what's the catch?" Janie couldn't help but notice that Nanea was hanging on Lori's every word. She was definitely not looking at Benny, and she didn't seem to know anything about the bowling-ball warning. Besides, she hadn't heard Lori mention the bowling ball to Nanea and Benny. Janie wished Nautilus had stayed a little longer.
Lori took another deep breath, knowing that the situation had now reached a point of sink or swim. "Oh, Benny! I knew you were the right person to make this offer to. You're one of the smartest people I know. Did I tell you that they're only a teensy-weensy, itsy-bitsy used? And look at the color. It matches so many things in your house. What's the catch? It isn't really a catch. Just a friendly agreement, really. Well, just one small string, if you put it like that. In exchange for this AMAZING washer and dryer pair, all you have to do is . . ." Lori ran out of steam when she looked at Benny's face and stopped. Just stood there poking her toe at the pair of boots someone had left sitting on the floor. Maybe that was a tiny bit too forceful.
Nanea's small voice broke the silence. "So far, Lori, you've told us what we get out of this TOGO deal, but what do you get out of it?" Lori held back the tears and blurted out, "All I was hoping for was that the new owners would volunteer to wash and dry all the clothes that get donated to the Thrift." Benny wasn't falling for that one! "Are you kidding?! Wash all your donations just to get an old washer and dryer for free?!" Nanea shushed Benny and put her arm around Lori. "Oh, Benny! Can't you see how much this means to her? Besides, I think it's a great deal! Don't you get it?! Hey, please don't walk away, Benny. Just listen to me for a minute. Think about it. All I have to do is wash a few donations in return for a free washer and dryer. It's like trading. And you're always saying how much you like to barter." Another thought popped into her head. "And I would be able to try on all the clothes and buy what I want without having to go shopping! Just think how much time and money that would save us!" Lori stopped crying and just stared at Nanea. Why hadn't she thought of that? Nanea was masterful. Lori was impressed. And Raito came over to see what the fuss was all about.
Lori took another deep breath, knowing that the situation had now reached a point of sink or swim. "Oh, Benny! I knew you were the right person to make this offer to. You're one of the smartest people I know. Did I tell you that they're only a teensy-weensy, itsy-bitsy used? And look at the color. It matches so many things in your house. What's the catch? It isn't really a catch. Just a friendly agreement, really. Well, just one small string, if you put it like that. In exchange for this AMAZING washer and dryer pair, all you have to do is . . ." Lori ran out of steam when she looked at Benny's face and stopped. Just stood there poking her toe at the pair of boots someone had left sitting on the floor. Maybe that was a tiny bit too forceful.
Nanea's small voice broke the silence. "So far, Lori, you've told us what we get out of this TOGO deal, but what do you get out of it?" Lori held back the tears and blurted out, "All I was hoping for was that the new owners would volunteer to wash and dry all the clothes that get donated to the Thrift." Benny wasn't falling for that one! "Are you kidding?! Wash all your donations just to get an old washer and dryer for free?!" Nanea shushed Benny and put her arm around Lori. "Oh, Benny! Can't you see how much this means to her? Besides, I think it's a great deal! Don't you get it?! Hey, please don't walk away, Benny. Just listen to me for a minute. Think about it. All I have to do is wash a few donations in return for a free washer and dryer. It's like trading. And you're always saying how much you like to barter." Another thought popped into her head. "And I would be able to try on all the clothes and buy what I want without having to go shopping! Just think how much time and money that would save us!" Lori stopped crying and just stared at Nanea. Why hadn't she thought of that? Nanea was masterful. Lori was impressed. And Raito came over to see what the fuss was all about.
"But, Nanea . . . that's NOT a good deal. Washing all those clothes? And those machines are pretty big. We'd have to find room for them and carry them home." Nanea batted her eyelashes. "Please, Benny. Pretty please. With sugar on top?"
Benny knows when he's licked. And he was licked. He's a good brother and never likes to disappoint Nanea. Besides, those big round eyes and the "sugar on top" were too much for him. Benny had to admit that his sister doesn't ask for much. Sigh.
But he had to draw the line somewhere. "Okay. You can have the washer and dryer -- but I'm PAYING for them. If you want to volunteer to wash 'some' donations, that's fine. But this way, no one will have to feel bad if something doesn't get done. Besides, you have to keep up with your hula practice and help me dive for pearls, so you don't have that much spare time. Deal?"
"Sold!" Lori wasn't about to lose this opportunity over any small technicality.
Nanea couldn't believe her ears! Throwing her hands in the air, she gave Benny a big hug. Right there in public. "Oh, Benny! You're the most wonderful brother ever! Thank you! Thank you! They're just what I need! And you'll see! I'll have time for everything!" Benny muttered something like "okay, okay" and went off to see if the rain had stopped. It's a good thing no one could hear what he was thinking. I can't be expected to move these monstrosities in the rain. Bad enough that Lori just HAD to move these to the Community Center yesterday, but now we have to move them again. Harumph. And to my OWN HOUSE. How am I going to get the plumbing for these done AND get the pearl stall ready to re-open when the weather warms back up? TOGO deal indeed. All he said to his friend was, "I hope I don't live to regret this."
But he had to draw the line somewhere. "Okay. You can have the washer and dryer -- but I'm PAYING for them. If you want to volunteer to wash 'some' donations, that's fine. But this way, no one will have to feel bad if something doesn't get done. Besides, you have to keep up with your hula practice and help me dive for pearls, so you don't have that much spare time. Deal?"
"Sold!" Lori wasn't about to lose this opportunity over any small technicality.
Nanea couldn't believe her ears! Throwing her hands in the air, she gave Benny a big hug. Right there in public. "Oh, Benny! You're the most wonderful brother ever! Thank you! Thank you! They're just what I need! And you'll see! I'll have time for everything!" Benny muttered something like "okay, okay" and went off to see if the rain had stopped. It's a good thing no one could hear what he was thinking. I can't be expected to move these monstrosities in the rain. Bad enough that Lori just HAD to move these to the Community Center yesterday, but now we have to move them again. Harumph. And to my OWN HOUSE. How am I going to get the plumbing for these done AND get the pearl stall ready to re-open when the weather warms back up? TOGO deal indeed. All he said to his friend was, "I hope I don't live to regret this."
Janie couldn't tell who was happier, Nanea or Lori. While Nanea went around the store telling everyone what her wonderful brother had just bought for her, Lori stared at the bowling ball. Do I dare ask? No. Better not. Maybe that would be a bad thing to bring up with Benny right now. Yep. I'll just try to work the crowd that's left to find a home for that thing. Maybe if I throw my arms in the air and bat my eyelashes.
As Benny moved to the front of the Community Center, he spied Eydie coming through the door. "What's the weather like right now? I've got something big to move, but I can't do it in the rain." Eydie just smiled. The news had spread across Islandshire about Lori's . . . um . . . special deals. "It's fine right now. The rain has stopped, but it's still awfully cold," she said, as she stared at Benny's bare arms. "Maybe you should buy a jacket or sweatshirt while you're here." Benny just turned and walked away, thinking about girls and shopping. I'll be hot enough when I 'm moving these again. And it won't cost me anything, either.
Benny found Raito and explained the situation. "Hey, man. I need your help." As an honorary member of the Merry Men club, Raito didn't even wait to hear what the favor was before he shouted, "I'm your man!"
As Benny moved to the front of the Community Center, he spied Eydie coming through the door. "What's the weather like right now? I've got something big to move, but I can't do it in the rain." Eydie just smiled. The news had spread across Islandshire about Lori's . . . um . . . special deals. "It's fine right now. The rain has stopped, but it's still awfully cold," she said, as she stared at Benny's bare arms. "Maybe you should buy a jacket or sweatshirt while you're here." Benny just turned and walked away, thinking about girls and shopping. I'll be hot enough when I 'm moving these again. And it won't cost me anything, either.
Benny found Raito and explained the situation. "Hey, man. I need your help." As an honorary member of the Merry Men club, Raito didn't even wait to hear what the favor was before he shouted, "I'm your man!"
Lori started digging around on the shelves. "I'm pretty sure there's a bag of clothespins to go with those around here somewhere. No, Benny. You do NOT have to take the 'old jars', too. Just set them down on the floor somewhere. I'll move 'em later. Right now, I've gotta find that clothespin bag . . ." Nanea had been sharing the "great news" with everyone around the store when she spotted Eydie. Wouldn't you know it? Eydie had found a kitty bed hiding under a lot of junk . . . I mean treasures. And, like Goldilocks' bed, it seemed just the right size for Steviekins. "How is Steviekins feeling, Eydie? Did the vet help his sneezing attacks?" "You're so sweet to ask, Nanea. It's the funniest thing. Turns out he's allergic to the new cat food I was feeding him. Guess I'll just have to go back to giving him eggs and cottage cheese for breakfast. Of course, he still gets his Eggs Benedict every day, too! It's an easy fix. And just look at what I found!"
Eydie thought the idea of the washer and dryer was splendid. "I'm so happy for you. Hey, I've got an idea. Why don't you make a sort of laundromat for Islandshire? You know, where all of us on the Island could wash our clothes. You'd make some of the money back, which would make Benny a little happier about it. And you'd make a lot of people happy, which is right up your alley." Nanea loved the idea. It sounded just like the "entrepreneurship" that Benny was always talking about. "Oh, Eydie! You're so right! And just think. I'd have visitors all the time. And I could make snacks and poi for them. And Benny could barbecue. And everyone could sit with us while their clothes are washing and drying, and we'd have a great time together. And we could call it The Luau Laundromat!" Eydie wasn't sure that would make Benny "a little happier", but Nanea's sweetness was contagious. Lori looked over and thought that Eydie finding a color-coordinated bed for Steviekins just proved her motto: Something for everyone at Lori's Thrift!
Meanwhile, Raito and Benny were busy moving the washing machine. "Hey, man," said Benny, before the boys lifted it off the ground. "I'll walk backwards this time, and then we'll swap places on the next one. The Merry Men delivery wagon is outside, so let's just head straight for the door. I sure do hope the break in the weather holds out for us." Janie was leaving, so she walked ahead of them and held the door open. "Excuse me, Raito, but aren't you cold? Maybe you should stop for a minute and buy a jacket and some long pants." The boys just kept walking. Girls. They're always cold.
Having located the clothespins, Lori felt something else nagging at the back of her mind. "I think something else came in with the washer and dryer. It's a folding hamper, if I remember correctly. It'd be just the thing for your small house, Nanea. I know it's around here somewhere. It's not like it's so small that it could just disappear! Oh, yeah . . . right. I put the plush in it. Here it is, right in front of us." She laughed and turned around to the crowd, shouting "Anyone seen my lemonade cup anywhere?" It felt good to laugh again.
While Lori emptied the hamper, Nanea started off to see if Benny and Raito needed any help. She didn't get far, though. She overheard Eydie telling Kitty all about "Islandshire's very own Laundromat at Benny and Nanea's house". Wow! Customers before she'd even put up a sign . . . or told Benny about the great idea . . . uh oh . . .
While Lori emptied the hamper, Nanea started off to see if Benny and Raito needed any help. She didn't get far, though. She overheard Eydie telling Kitty all about "Islandshire's very own Laundromat at Benny and Nanea's house". Wow! Customers before she'd even put up a sign . . . or told Benny about the great idea . . . uh oh . . .
The boys had already loaded the washing machine onto the delivery wagon and were just starting on the dryer, so Nanea had a couple of minutes to find some warm clothes before they had to leave. What she found were really cool summer pajamas. "Oh, Kitty, I really need these. Fashion pajamas! And they have a "hula elephant" on them! I'll take a pair of fluffy slippers to go with them, too. Boy, I'll bet no one else has anything like this. Ooh, and look at this . . . a little fur coat that's just Flossie's size." Lori didn't have the heart to tell her that Bunty's friend, Natalya, had bought the matching pair of pajamas that Jill and Silver had donated.
"Come on, Nanea! We've gotta get home before it starts to rain again!" The boys had both machines loaded on the wagon, and Benny was calling her from the doorway. Nanea paid for everything and ran out of the Center before he changed his mind. As they were walking down the street, she stopped and cried in agony, "Oh, no, Benny! I forgot to get any winter clothes! We have to go back!" Benny whipped around and stared at her in disbelief. "We're NOT moving this in the rain. It's either these machines or a new sweater." Nanea gave the wagon a little push from the back and said, batting her eyelashes, "Here, let me help you guys!" It was obvious that Benny hadn't heard Eydie's town-crier news, so she still had a little time to soften him up . . .
Lori was . . . just pooped. But buyers still lined up to pay. "Wow, Kitty! That jacket is perfect with that dress! Are you coming to Bunty's presentation tomorrow? Hard to imagine that all this will be gone and the chairs back in place, isn't it? Oh, no. I don't have to empty it out. The Merry Men club members volunteered to move the unsold items back to the store for me. They're a great bunch of guys!" Kitty could hardly wait to spread the news. "Did you hear about Nanea and Benny? They're so happy that you had the washer and dryer here today. Benny has a great idea about opening the very first Laundromat here on Islandshire." Blink blink. Lori just stared and asked "Huh? Where'd you hear that?" "From Eydie," Kitty hollered over her shoulder, as she hurried home to call all her friends. Lori relaxed enough to squeeze in a few bites of a half-eaten Twizzler stick she'd found on a shelf, shaking her head and still trying to figure out which approach had worked with Benny. She finally decided that it didn't really matter. It was done.
In her relief, she hardly noticed that the sale was in its final rush . . .
Lori was . . . just pooped. But buyers still lined up to pay. "Wow, Kitty! That jacket is perfect with that dress! Are you coming to Bunty's presentation tomorrow? Hard to imagine that all this will be gone and the chairs back in place, isn't it? Oh, no. I don't have to empty it out. The Merry Men club members volunteered to move the unsold items back to the store for me. They're a great bunch of guys!" Kitty could hardly wait to spread the news. "Did you hear about Nanea and Benny? They're so happy that you had the washer and dryer here today. Benny has a great idea about opening the very first Laundromat here on Islandshire." Blink blink. Lori just stared and asked "Huh? Where'd you hear that?" "From Eydie," Kitty hollered over her shoulder, as she hurried home to call all her friends. Lori relaxed enough to squeeze in a few bites of a half-eaten Twizzler stick she'd found on a shelf, shaking her head and still trying to figure out which approach had worked with Benny. She finally decided that it didn't really matter. It was done.
In her relief, she hardly noticed that the sale was in its final rush . . .
. . . or Jerri bending over in the corner where the basket of games had been sitting.
"Thank you for doing all this work, Lori," said Eydie while checking out and adding a little extra donation to the "Love a Longwool" collection can. "Steviekins is going to feel better in his new bed." Kitty left just ahead of her, wearing her new jacket, to find Mariamne and see if she wanted to join her for a snack at the diner. Maybe a hot drink and a piece of elderberry pie. She quickened her pace.
Things slowed down after that, and Patty's late arrival meant that it was nearly time to put up the CLOSED sign for the day. Lori watched her browsing through the racks again, Patty having gotten in and out of line several times already, and took advantage of the lull. Patty is universally loved. She's lived on Islandshire longer than just about anyone else (one of Eliot's first tenants) but never has been one for braving large crowds. She typically does her shopping through mail-order catalogues, which she longingly refers to as "wish books". She loves thrifting, though, and thought it worth braving the cold rain to see the Wool Week set-up. "Lori, you're amazing! Why did I never see these things before? Must be because you had to move everything around. Do you know . . . I'm finding things today that I saw in a wish book a long time ago and always wished I could own. You've made it all look so appealing that I've decided to just bite the bullet and make an early Christmas for myself." She'd already found a baseball hat, some PJs and a pair of sneakers that she was sure she'd seen in a wish book many years ago. "Oh, my goodness! There's the matching jacket! Oh, please let it be my size." Patty's a big girl for her age and doesn't always fit into these new slim-fit fashions.
Sometimes the best bargains show up near the end of the day, and Lori enjoyed watching as Patty oohed and aahed her way through the place. "If you need anything, Patty, please let me know. I'm just looking for my lemonade cup." As Lori turned the corner near the back wall, darling little Jerri popped up in front of her, ever so quietly asking if Lori had a minute. Quite honestly, Lori hadn't even seen Jerri come in. Jerri was like that, you know, such a quiet little thing that you most often didn't know she was in the room. Lori stopped hunting for her drink and turned to see what Jerri needed. "How much is this?" Lori almost choked on her Twizzler when she saw what Jerri was holding.
"FREE. It's free! Congratulations, Jerri! You just found the hidden Wool Week 'Deal of the Day'! How clever of you! Wow, and it even matches your outfit!"
"FREE. It's free! Congratulations, Jerri! You just found the hidden Wool Week 'Deal of the Day'! How clever of you! Wow, and it even matches your outfit!"
Lori had never seen Jerri so animated. Jerri had never felt so animated. She wanted to share her happiness with someone else, so she donated more into the collection can than Lori had been hoping to get for the bowling ball all day. Lori couldn't help but think that the Merry Men were going to be a lot merrier now that all the heavy stuff was gone. Jerri started quietly toward the door, carrying her bowling ball (and its matching bag) as if it were the crown jewels. "Stay dry, Jerri. I see the rain's started again. Do you need an umbrella or a jacket or something? Jerri? Jerri?" Jerri didn't hear her. Jerri didn't see her. She'd never looked so happy before. It seemed unfair to shatter that moment with anything as mundane as rain. I wonder what she's going to do with it. She doesn't own a boat, so the anchor idea is out. I bet she's going to use the bag for a purse, since it matches her outfit so perfectly. That leaves the ball, though. Maybe she's gonna make a lamp out of it. Well, whatever. She can figure out what to do with the ball . . . I hope she knows that we don't offer returns at the Thrift.
Patty and Lori were alone now. Lori knew it'd started raining again. She could hear the raindrops hitting the building's metal roof. This was quite often her favorite time of the day. She liked having a Thrift Store. And she loved being with all the people. But she also liked the peace that came at the end of the day when the shop was empty.
A voice startled Lori out of her reverie. Patty's "Christmas shopping" was still going strong, so Lori offered to put some of the things on the counter for her. It was nice being there with Patty, just the two of them, walking around together with no fuss and bother. Lori went to the door and flipped the sign over to read CLOSED.
That's when Patty spotted it. Right there in front of her. In person. "Oh, Lori! I can't believe my eyes! I had a wish book once that showed a little bear just like this, and I used to make up stories about it being mine for real. I can't believe my dreams have come true. Now I won't have to make up stories. He's really mine!" She didn't seem to notice the few little tears that fell on the bear's head and turned his nose all shiny. Lori gave her a big hug and left her alone to enjoy the nearness of her newfound friend.
Patty and Lori were alone now. Lori knew it'd started raining again. She could hear the raindrops hitting the building's metal roof. This was quite often her favorite time of the day. She liked having a Thrift Store. And she loved being with all the people. But she also liked the peace that came at the end of the day when the shop was empty.
A voice startled Lori out of her reverie. Patty's "Christmas shopping" was still going strong, so Lori offered to put some of the things on the counter for her. It was nice being there with Patty, just the two of them, walking around together with no fuss and bother. Lori went to the door and flipped the sign over to read CLOSED.
That's when Patty spotted it. Right there in front of her. In person. "Oh, Lori! I can't believe my eyes! I had a wish book once that showed a little bear just like this, and I used to make up stories about it being mine for real. I can't believe my dreams have come true. Now I won't have to make up stories. He's really mine!" She didn't seem to notice the few little tears that fell on the bear's head and turned his nose all shiny. Lori gave her a big hug and left her alone to enjoy the nearness of her newfound friend.
Once Patty had finally decided she was finished, she and Lori met at the checkout counter. "Patty, you are one savvy shopper. How did you find all these things to pair up? I felt bad about not having time to organize everything when we moved to the Community Center for the day, but I had just enough time at the store to ask the volunteers to grab whatever looked like cold-weather clothes. I was busy organizing the move of . . . um, some of the bigger non-clothing items. Boy, those kids must have dug to the bottom of every shelf to come up with this many vintage items. And I don't get a lot of this nice stuff anymore. Let's see, of course you found the matching wool varsity jacket and ballcap. (And they're just the right size for you! You look great!) And these black pajamas are a blast from the past. I haven't seen that design in a long time. There used to be a matching sleeping bag, but Harold bought it a long time ago for one of the Merry Men club outings." Lori continued to add it all up. "These sneakers are great, too. They don't even look like someone wore them much. Ooh, my favorite thing in your pile, of course, has to be that most adorable little Mini Miss AG Bear. And she still has her nightshirt. Very rare. Wow, Patty, you even managed to find the matching socks for yourself! Can I give you a hand getting these home? I'm ready to close for the night and could walk with you. No? Okay, but how 'bout a basket or something?"
Patty just smiled and said she'd be fine. She sure is a loner, that one. As Patty walked out, humming to her little bear, she never even noticed that the rain had stopped. Besides, everyone knows that bears don't mind the rain . . .
Lori locked the Community Center door and breathed a sigh of relief. It hardly seemed possible that it was just this morning (albeit early this morning) when she'd opened the store for Sonja's "cold-weather emergency". And Patty was a nice person to end the crazy day with. As she surveyed the store, she noticed just how many things had sold. The Merry Men sure would be happy to see how little they'd need to move out before Bunty's presentation tomorrow evening.
Time to empty the register and throw it all in the donation tin. All in all, the first Wool Week event had been a great success. Lori wondered if it was too late to pick up one more lemonade. Maybe dinner at the diner, too.
Wool Week continues right here tomorrow with Bunty's presentation on the English Longwool sheep breeds and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. For now, stay warm and stay dry. And choose wool.