Missed Miss Opportunity

Fall of 1974, I was working in a quick print shop in Kingston, New York. Next door to the shop was a woman’s clothing boutique. The print shop and boutique were in the same building, an old Victorian home, and the back rooms of the print shop and the boutique were separated by an unlocked door.

The boutique owner/proprietor was a woman in her mid-50’s. Initially, we were just acquaintances, but we became friendlier after she forgot her keys one day and I let her get into her store via the unlocked door that separated our back rooms. After that we chatted almost once a day and became better acquainted.

Over time, I noticed a couple of gents who shopped at her store on more than one occasion, so one day I asked her about her male customers. She quickly responded that they were “transvestites” and that she had about a half dozen male customers who were so inclined.

“That's interesting,” was my reply.

Then she added, “You look to be a size 16. I have some outfits in your size that would look lovely on you.”

I didn’t see that coming! I was very embarrassed and could only manage to squeak out, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

“If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

I thought about it often, but never took her up on her offer.

Wearing ModCloth

Lena in Sydney, circa 1985