While making my regular weekend rounds at a local flea market last week I stumbled across a beautiful red leather bag and bought it for a dollar. When I arrived home I brought the red leather bag inside along with other items and went about my day.

Later, I noticed a strong mildew odor emanating from somewhere in my home. My search for the moldy smell lead me to my beautiful red leather bag. Although the bag seemed to be spotlessly clean, it wreaked of mold.  So, I set it on the porch to air out a few days. This porch is located on a busy main street in an economically depressed small city.

Later over lunch I related the story to my friend Kim. I said, “Probably my big red bag will disappear by the end of the day.” Kim laughed and said, “When you live in the hood long enough, people get to know you. Someone will probably knock on the door and tell you that you left your purse on the porch.”

We both had a good laugh and the subject was dropped. So, the bag remained on the side porch for the remainder of the day and most of the following day until a knock came at the door.

When I opened the door, a young lady I never met before asked, “Do you know your pocketbook is out here?”