After deciding I wanted a babydoll, I looked through a few but couldn’t find any in a large enough size.
“Can I help you with anything?” Asked the saleswoman.
Her name tag said ‘Natalie’. She had black and silver hair done in an bulletproof hairstyle she probably paid to get washed once a week. She had small wire-rim glasses perched at the end of her long thin nose and she sucked in her cheeks as she waited for an answer.
“I’m looking for a babydoll in size 18 or 20.”
She clucked and sighed as she quickly scanned the department. “Unfortunately dear, we don’t stock much for big girls like you. I think there are a few things in clearance though. If you find anything in there you’re a lucky girl, I just added a few more items and there are some tremendous discounts.”
“Thanks, I’ll take a look,” I said feeling defeated.
I didn’t expect to find anything pretty or sexy unless it was in a size that would fit my pinky, but I had to give it a shot. I didn’t have enough time to go shopping if Will planned to pick me up at five. It had been a long time since I got myself lingerie ready for a man.
Looking through the racks of tightly packed undergarments, I became exceedingly disappointed until I saw a small tag with a 20 sticking up with several bright red lines going through the $400 price tag.
I followed the plastic tag down to the hanger and gently pulled out the cutest black babydoll set I had ever seen. Made with silk chiffon with chiffon pleats at the trim, the bra panel had a sheer geometric pattern with vintage floral motifs embroidered onto sheer tulle. To top it off, it came with a simple pair of black panties with ties at the hips. No wonder it cost so much!
Not wanting to try it on in the dressing room, I held it up against me. I thought it would fit, but what about the price? The lowest handwritten price on the tag was still $75. More than I really could afford to pay. Looking around the department, I spotted Natalie by the cash register and brought the babydoll over to her.
“Is the lowest price on here what it costs?” I asked.
She looked up at me and then down at the babydoll in my hands. “Oh goodness, I remember when this first came in. Its absolutely stunning,” she said as she took it from me. Scanning the tag the register beeped, then flashed the price. “The clearance sale is 50% off the lowest price, then we also have an extra 20% off.”
“Plus I’m an employee.”
“Excellent! So another 10% off that brings it to $27. That’s a steal, dear. And trust me, I’m sure your boyfriend will find you good enough to eat in this!” She said then smiled.
“I sure hope so!” I said as I handed her my credit card and waited the longest couple of seconds of my life for the card to get approved.
***
Once I got home I quickly tried the babydoll on and it fit perfectly. I put the receipt on top of my stack of bills and began calculating all my expenses from the month. Even with Will buying the fabric, I still had to spend some money on creating the samples. It was all money I needed to pay my rent.
The way I figured it, if I didn’t have to pay rent while I was gone I might actually have a little spending money in Paris. My landlord was always telling me how he was able to get higher rent for the apartments now that the neighborhood was turning around, maybe he’d let me out of my lease.
I never liked the apartment anyway, it was the only thing I could afford though. Now with winning the Hargrove’s Designer Challenge, I’d be able to find a nicer apartment. Maybe one that didn’t smell like the hot dog stand down the street.
It couldn’t hurt to ask. And Mr. Annetti seemed more interested in how much he could make than keeping his tenants happy anyway. I had to call him.
“Hello?” Mr. Annetti’s familiar gruff voice answered on the first ring.
“Hi, Mr. Annetti. It’s Deborah Hansen in 4B.”
“Is it the disposal again?”
“No, I wanted to talk about the lease.”
“You want to flaunt that you’re my last rent-control tenant?”
“I know how much that bothers you so I’m willing to make you a deal.”
“I’m listening.”
“Let me out of my lease now, with my security deposit, and you can have my apartment.”
“Hmm…I did just have someone call earlier looking for a rental in the new price range. How soon can you be out?”
“You can have it back this weekend,” I said.
“It’s a deal. I’ll even hand you your security check when I get your keys.”
“Great! It’s a deal then. Thanks Mr Annetti!”
Hanging up I felt better even though it meant I’d be homeless when I got back from Paris. I’d figure something out. My phone beeped with a voicemail message from Hargrove’s.