As I saunter into Salvation Army’s Thrift Shop, (some Ithacans call it Sallie’s boutique), a mannequin dressed in a bright red floor length billowy dress catches my eye. Looking closer, first to the price tag, $24.99. Then the size – I decide it deserves to be tried on.

Once in the fitting room, I manage to zip up the back most of the way. I’m stuck after I tug and tug. Until I’m out the door asking a stranger, a woman to complete the zip. Success!! It fits my 5’9” height perfectly; although I wonder if I could hold up this strapless wonder of frills and flounce.

I decide to risk it; and proceed behind the fitting room door to unzip. Stuck again! Thinking, should I decide to go outside again to request assistance where all can see? One woman tries and tries again. Then another woman holds the dress together as the other pulls and tugs. No success! Our laughter doesn’t help – except for our boundless mood. 😊 As the dress zipper breaks. Scissors to the rescue. I am free.

You might be asking why do I want this dress so much? I tell these helpful women that I am attending a Stardust ballroom weekend in April, (it is now January 2025) and it is perfect in size and price, now lowered to $1.99. More laughing. One woman tells me that a good seamstress works at Angelos dry cleaners that would be reasonable in cost. ANGEL to the rescue I quip.

When I cash out, I notice some ribbon-straps tucked inside where my boobs belong. Liberated again with a possible security.

Three weeks later, the seamstress collects $24.