Mike Hennessey

Dateline Dayton — How difficult can it be to buy a winter coat… in winter. I know you don’t buy a winter coat in the winter. But that is when I need it. The zipper on my coat broke. Would have cost more than I paid for the coat to have it repaired.

A month ago I went to a ski shop thinking that would be the place to buy a coat. Sure, they had many in stock. But if I am going to spend money, I am going to get what I want. One coat could have worked, though not exactly what I wanted. The price was out of sight.

Two weeks ago my brother-in-law was at the house and he had a new coat, just like what I wanted. He bought it a sporting goods store in Troy, on the town square. After spending time at the office last Saturday and picking Pauline up from church, where she had sung at a funeral, we were off to Troy.

Our first stop was at Lincoln Square, not the square downtown, for breakfast. After a good breakfast, we were off to find the sporting goods store. Two passes through town and no sign of a sporting goods store. I parked and went walking until I found one.

I entered a store that had all kinds of coats and hats. Inside I met a lady who told me ,“I have coats. Tell me what team or school you want.”

I didn’t want any team or school, just a price. Said the lady: “I have a nice Cincinnati Reds jacket.”

No, just a plain coat. Is there was another sporting goods store in Troy?

“Across the street,” she said. ”

Dashing across the street, the store was closed. Not even 1 o’clock on a Saturday and it was dark.

With my brother-in-law Willie was in the hospital, we had planned to visit him. Upon arrival, we could not find him. He was not in his room. A nurse said he would return in 45 minutes. We waited. An hour later, Willie appeared. Just as he was arriving, my sister came in the room.

Once we learned details of his condition, I asked about the sporting goods store where he bought his coat. “On the square in Troy,” he said. My sister chimed in. “You told him the wrong location. It is next to the bakery.”

I recalled the store so I promised we would stop on our way home.

We found it easily. Pauline went into the bakery and I walked toward the sporting goods store. Closed. Checking my watch, it was 3:15. They had been shut for more than an hour.

Still coatless, I probably will try again this Saturday. Or wait until next season.

Spring should be here any day. Flowers are blooming in our yard. It did snow, though, last night. Normal Ohio weather!

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net