A friend here in town knows I'm about to spring for a new America. So a week ago last Saturday evening he called and told me there was a leather jacket in real nice shape at a local thrift shop. Told me it appeared it would fit my, um, husky body. Kidding aside, I have an appearance that could be accurately described as "barrel chested". I'm thick front to back, so I had my doubts about a used jacket fitting me correctly, never mind its condition.
Sunday morning my son and I had to run out of town to pick up a new Border Collie pup, so I ran by the thrift shop. Closed! I called my buddy when we returned with the puppy and asked exactly when he had seen the jacket. When he told me over a week earlier I figured it was more than likely gone.
Monday, the same friend came over to help me run some new electrical lines in my shop. When we stopped for lunch, he pushed me to see if the jacket was still there. Good thing too! When we got to the store, not only was it still on the rack, it turned out to be brand spanking new! Better yet, it fit me like it was tailored.
It is a Fieldsheer, heavy black leather, armored elbows and back, vents all over, quilted zip-in liner, just a gorgeous jacket. And the reason we knew it was new was the original price tag (from a local shop) still hanging from the liner. The best part? When I took it up to the register the sales clerk looked it over and priced it at 75 bucks. I guess she missed the original price tag, but that meant I got it for almost 300 clams less then when it sold originally!
You have to wonder why someone would buy a jacket, never wear it, then donate it to a thrift shop. I know it sat awhile, because the garment info tag had 2003 embroidered on it. All I can say is...
Otony
