Second Chance Stories

The Unicycle Edition

When most of us look at a unicycle we see a seat, two pedals and a wheel – and we wonder where’s the rest of the bike.

But when Pepper High spotted a unicycle in the back of Second Chance Emporium last week, she saw a dream coming true.

Pepper is seven years old and is “already a student of the circus arts,” explained mom Lisa High of Smithville. Pepper takes aerial classes in Bastrop, trapeze, aerial silks and the like. So when the Highs laid eyes on the unicycle, they knew it was all part of the future circus star’s training.

The Highs are devotees of Renaissance Fairs and “know lots of people who unicycle,” Lisa said. “And we have friends with elephants.”

Second Chance sells just about everything — well, maybe not elephants. But the store is stocked with clothes, furniture, books, fry pans and wedding dresses. People donate things to Second Chance and the nonprofit store operated by a group of La Grange churches sells them.

Any profits from the operation are given back to the community in the form of scholarships and donations to food banks, fire departments, health care facilities and other non-profits.

Lisa and Pepper first found the store on South Reynolds St. three weeks ago. They’ve come back every week since. “This is our third time here,” Lisa said, “but that’s in a row.”

Last Friday, Lisa and Pepper took their new unicycle to the Second Chance parking lot. Pepper bravely climbed aboard and teetered a bit while Lisa held her steady. It was a first step, or maybe a first ride, and Pepper was eager for more.

“I love it,” Pepper said.