Larry B. Bastian; Dewayne Blackwell: "Oh, they're sortin' through what's left of you and me, paying yard sale prices for each golden memory."
= = = =
Although the garage sale wasn't until Friday, and Saturday if you overpriced your crap, I had help getting ready Wednesday evening. Together with Cathy, my mom, and Beth, my older sister, we worked late into the evening and then put in a full day on Thursday. We had boxes of stuff priced and ready to offer up at 8 Am on Friday.
My heart felt heavy as I fondled things that once meant so much to us. Now some stranger would walk off with it. Perhaps a neighbor or two would purchase a memento of our time in this house. Room after room became eerily quiet as things were removed. Echoes returned after years in hiding.
The master bedroom was the toughest. The skirt I bought for her in Maui, sell it. The matching sandals we wore that vacation, don't want or need them anymore. Her blouses, slacks, skirts, and all of those shoes. I really wonder if we'll even come close to selling all of those. Mom said to start at ten dollars a pair for the shoes even though I'm pretty sure every pair cost a whole hell of a lot more than that. She did know how to work a credit card.
Almost everything I picked up brought back fond memories. Several times I had to turn my head to wipe a tear away. Maybe my memories would fade in time but that hasn't happened yet.
Seemed like every drawer I opened pulled at my heart. Mom would occasionally banish me to the kitchen to get some snacks and take a breather. She and Beth were on a mission and my broken heart wasn't going to slow them down. Sitting in the kitchen didn't help. My new apartment was small and I wouldn't need all of these pots pans and dishes.
By the time we decided we were ready, the garage was stacked floor to ceiling with boxes. The plan was to have Hank, my Dad, and his buddies dress in official looking law enforcement garb. It was all bought at the Halloween store. All had permits to carry and they planned on doing just that. Rumor has it that those looking for a five-finger discount decide to try their luck elsewhere when people packing are around. Mom said she'd run the cash out line.
I was outside before dawn on Friday setting up the tables and tents. Thankfully the forecast was for minimal winds and no moisture. Even that early in the morning potential buyers were driving by asking if we were open. There's always early birds looking to find things foolishly underpriced. Beth showed up around 7 Am with donuts. Mom and Dad showed up shortly after that. While the women fussed, the men starting pulling furniture out of the house. With each piece we brought out of the house the crowd was growing in size. So much for having a starting time. Mom loved handling the money and I was glad that we'd bought the package of bags for the buyers to stash their purchases. Beth loved working the crowd and she was making up shit every time someone asked a question. She'd tell them whatever they wanted to hear.
One of Dad's buddies was handling the locked display case with all of the jewelry and antiques in it. Even some of my duplicate tools were under lock and key. Don't really know if he knows squat about jewelry but the little old ladies were eating it up.
The street wasn't going to be big enough for the traffic as two nearby neighbors were also setting up. We exchanged pleasantries. Darci, Deanne's closest friend in the neighborhood, made her way over just before 8 Am.
"Chad, what's going on?"
"Morning Darci, it's called a 'garage sale'!"
"I know that asshole. Deanne said you guys were just selling a few things."
"Yep, that's what we're doing. Look, it's not even 8 Am and we've already sold a few things."
"She didn't say anything about furniture."
"Guess she didn't want you to know. Love to waste time chatting with you Darci but I've got work to do. Good luck shopping."
Darci looked pissed that I'd dismissed her. She and Deanne love to think that they control all decisions. I wasn't surprised when my phone buzzed a few minutes later.
"Hey Deanne, can't talk long. Pretty busy with the garage sale you know. We're doing just fine without you."
"Chad, Darci said you've got the whole front yard and driveway stuffed with clothing and furniture."
"Gotta get up early to sneak one past Darci. Yeah, things are moving quickly. Nice chatting with you."
"DON'T YOU DA" as I ended the call.
Well the first call anyways. I let the next one go to messages, and the next, and then the next. You get the picture. Pictures! I went through the house and pulled them off the wall. Shit the frames were worth ten times my asking prices.
Mom said Deanne had called but she ignored it. She handed me an envelope with five hundred in it, and it was only eight fifteen. Looking around it really didn't seem like the shoppers had made a dent. Every time table space became available Beth would empty another box.
It was a zoo out on the road. Somebody was trying to back their pickup truck next to our driveway so they could load a dresser. Another five hundred envelope from Mom. Some lady was trying out shoes like an addict. Looked like she was going to take a couple hundred dollars' worth. And I was worried about them selling!
Deanne called and I figured it was time to tweak her cheeks again "Hello?"
"Don't give me that 'hello' crap. Darci says you're selling my clothes, and SHOES!"
"She is very observant."
"You weren't supposed to touch my stuff."
"My bad. I swear you said to get rid of the ugly things, so that's what I'm doing. Yep, you even wrote it down."
"I was talking about your sweaters. The ones that you think are cute but are just juvenile."
"Guess you should have been more specific. It reads 'get rid of ugly clothes'. Your wedding dress sold. You do know it made you look pregnant."
"DAMN YOU Chad! What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Just following your instructions. Most of your jeans are gone. You always thought they made your ass look fat. Personally I don't think the jeans had anything to do with it, but they won't bother you any longer."
"Why are you treating me like this?"
"That's rhetorical, right? Ooo, gotta go. The lady buying your shoes is ready to check out. Later!" as I tapped the red button.
+ + + +
Wednesday morning, earlier that week:
"Enough already. I've been here at all of our garage sales!" I calmly replied.
"You might have been here Chad, but I did all the planning. I'm just trying to make sure that things go smoothly for you."
