The woman behind the counter at the consignment shop greets me by name and a smile. She ought to. I’ve spent thousands of dollars in this store over the years.

“We haven’t seen you in a while,” she says. “You look great. I have some new pieces that just came in that I know you’ll love.”

“Actually, Marlene, I’ve got some things to drop off for you.” I clear my throat, hoping my voice doesn’t shake. “You know, just a few things I’ve picked up here and there, but I just don’t use.”

She looks surprised. “Oh. Well, I usually require an appointment to look over things customers bring in.”

“Please,” I say with as much dignity as I can maintain. “I’ve already brought it all in.”

For a moment, I think she’s going to deny me, but there must be something in my face that changes her mind. Desperation, I guess. She frowns a little but gestures for me to come forward.

My hands shake as I lift the first bin onto the glass countertop. Her frown deepens. She takes off the lid.

“Oh, wow. This is quite a collection. I don’t even know if I could move some of these things, Jewelann, I’m sorry. I have to be honest with you. I’d really need to catalog all of this.”

I don’t even take out the other bins. “Sure, I understand.”

“Did you bring in something else?”

I open the bee box to show her what’s inside. “This.”

She leans over the counter, then comes around the side to look it over. “Oh, these are so cute. But I don’t really do housewares. I can take this dress. Oh, and the capri pants, too. And I can sort out the jewelry and let you know what I’ll be able to take, if you can give me a few days?”

“Of course. That’ll be fine. Do you know who might be interested in the housewares?”

She names a few other shops in town and gives me a business card for an estate sale company that might be interested. I already know that company, since, as I’ve done in Marlene’s shop, I’ve spent thousands of dollars with them over the years.

“You could try selling in bulk lots online,” she offers, her voice doubtful. “But unless you’re prepared to really put in an effort and deal with the packing and shipping stuff, it can be a really daunting prospect. And you really need to have an eye for things. You can’t just … I mean, not everything sells. I’m sorry.”

“I understand.” I should have changed my clothes before I came here, I realize now. I’m grungy.

Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Dress to impress. Dress so you don’t look like you’re on your way to an utter breakdown.

“You know what? I can take the whole lot.” Marlene waves off my attempted rebuttal. “No, no worries. I’ve been thinking about expanding into housewares, and this whole collection of bee stuff is a ready-made display. I’ll consider it an experiment. How about that?”