The flip has fallen off the flop (long)

Baby K and I decided to go for a walk today. The weather has finally perked up…the sun is out, the temperature is warm and there is a light breeze. Even better, today is garage sale day for our neighborhood! Out came the stroller and the sun hat and off we went. My neighborhood is a large historic district with very few sidewalks, but we strolled down the streets looking at all the loot. Without realizing it, I managed to get about a mile away from home. Looking at the time, I realize that I had better head back before the sun gets too strong for Kira’s delicate baby white skin. I spin the stroller around, and disaster strikes…the flip comes detached from the flop! Who knows how on earth I got so far away from home wearing flip-flops anyway. Those who know me know that I am usually prepared for just this time of disaster, but I am garage sale-ing. All I have are nickels, dimes, and quarters, a baby, a stroller, and a cell phone. I call all my friends who might be in the vicinity, but no one answers their phone. My husband simply says that there is no possible way I could have gotten a mile away from home in flip flops and that I must be exaggerating (besides, he can’t leave work just to bring me a shoe, anyway!).
I realize I am in trouble. I calmly walk (shoeless) up to the garage sale lady and eye a roll of duct tape at her feet. "How much for the duct tape?" She looks at me funny. "My flip has come detached from my flop." She laughs. I show her the shoe. "Oh, dear, how far away do you live?" I tell her. "Oh, dear…that’s far." She rigs the shoe with duct tape. Neighbors offer to drive me home, but I have a baby and a stroller. Being the safety nazi that I am, I cannot accept a ride unless they just "happen" to have a spare car seat in their car. (I, of course, did not snap the car seat in the stroller today because I wanted to show off my "big girl" and she is riding in the stroller forward facing.) The duct tape lasts for about a block. I manage to restick the tape every block for a few more blocks, gingerly lifting my right foot each time to try and keep the shoe from falling apart again. Meanwhile, my shoulders are tingling and I look over to see redness creeping into my skin. I look down at my baby’s chubby white legs. Good thing I just bought a pair of pants for 50 cents. I stick the yellow pajama pants on her under her summery coral dress. So much for showing off my baby. About 2 blocks from home, the flip gives one last hurrah and falls off the flop completely. Frustrated, hot, and tired of stopping every block for shoe repair, I toss the broken shoe with its partner into the stroller basket. A man passing by says "nice day for a walk!" I just smile. I make it home, thankful that I managed to avoid broken glass, nasty puddles or oil in the road or any stickers from the plants. I unlock that front door and my cell phone starts ringing. It’s my friends wanting to know where I am and if I still need a shoe.