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------- ------- ------- ------- ------- “We’ve been invited to a wedding, Morris. On the Fourth of July. Isn‘t that great?” -------“Here on the Cape?” -------“No, in a little town in upstate New York.” ------- “You want to go?” ------- “I really do,” Terry said. “Jo Ann was my best friend in high school. We still write.” ------- “Have you been to see her?” ------- “To Quimby? I’ve never been anywhere, Morrie, except to Florida with you.” ------- “Then let’s go. After that we’ll do Paris.” ------- “You serious, Morris?” ------- “I’m always serious,” Morris said. ------- ------- “That must be the inn,” Terry said. ------- “The Quimby Inn.” Morris pulled into the parking lot past the big sign and turned off the engine. -------“Nice town,” he said. “Clean.” ------- “Jo Ann says it burned down in 1895. They rebuilt it exactly the way it was before. That’s why it looks so new.” ------- “Old but new,” Morris said. “I like the Opera House. Must be the college up on the hill. I’ll bet it’s cold in the winter.” ------- “Jo was lucky to get the job,” Terry said. “It’s a good school.” ------- “Never heard of it.” “It’s small. The kids are supposed to be really smart.” ------- “Got to be smart these days,” Morris said. “What does Jo’s fiancé do?” ------- “He’s a banker. He’s from here, from Quimby Five generations of farmers.” ------- “And one banker. Must be a nice place if nobody ever leaves.” ------- Terry hesitated. She hated to hurt anyone’s feelings. “It feels...so far away.” ------- “Far away?” Morris smiled. ------- “You know what I mean, Morrie.” ------- “I know. A million square miles of dairy farms.” ------- “Yeah, it’s claustrophobic. Only that’s not the right word.” ------- “Sure it is. But like the signs say, ’If you lived here, you’d be home.’ Let’s check in and see if we can find somebody you know.” ------- ------- “Having a good time, kid?” ------- “I really am, Morrie. Last night was so fun. You never told me you could dance! You’re quick on your feet for a big man.” ------- “Got to be when you dance with the devil. We can dance again at the reception tonight. What’s with Sally’s husband?” ------- “I don’t know. She says Harold’s usually pretty cheerful. He worries her.” ------- “Tell you what,” Morris said. “We’ve got an hour to kill. I’ll take him for a walk.” ------- ------- “Yo, Harry. Feel like some fresh air? I thought I’d walk over to the college.” -------Harold didn’t seem enthusiastic, but he got up and came with Morris. ------- “Pretty town,” Morris said. ------- “Not bad,” Harold agreed. ------- “Where you guys from?” ------- “The city.” ------- “Hard to believe it’s in the same state, huh?” ------- “Yeah.” ------- “You like it there.” ------- “We live in Scarsdale actually,” Harold said. He grinned at Morris. “Jo sic you on me?” ------- “It was my idea,” Morris said. “I thought you looked a little down.” ------- “You’re a shrink, right?” ------- “No, Harry, I’m a retired business man. I got bored hanging around the Inn. So, what’s going on with you?” ------- “Why do you care?” ------- “Because JoAnn’s Terry’s friend. You don’t have to tell me anything. Let’s go have a look at this place. I thought it was supposed to be small college.” ------- “It’s for rich kids, lots of fancy buildings. My business is going to tank, Morris. I own a book store, and I was doing okay until they opened a big box. More books, lower prices. I can’t compete. I haven’t told Jo.” ------- “Switch to used books. They’re more interesting.” ------- “Interesting way to starve, yeah.” ------- “Do it right. Good stock. Warehouse titles off site. Search and order on the web, cut rate, personal service, friendly staff. You could open a coffee shop and a cyber cafe, live music on the weekends. Call yourself ‘Cafe Creme.’ Or ‘Murder Ink. Specialize in mysteries.” ------- “Jesus, Morris. You come up with that stuff off the top of your head?” ------- “Not entirely. Thought about it myself. So, what do you think?” ------- “It’s not a bad idea, but it would take a big investment, and I don’t have the money.” ------- “I do,” Morris said. “Give you a good deal, a contract your lawyers will love. Think it over, Harry. If it’s something you really want to do.” ------- “Why would you do that for me?” ------- “Because of Terry, and you seem like a nice guy. For me too, I guess. I always wanted a bookstore. Not that I’d help you run it. Too bad you can’t open one on the Cape, but then you would starve.” ------- “God, it’s tempting, but I don’t know. My building and location are okay, just nothing special. You need more these days. Some kind of hook. Used books aren’t a bad racket, but.... ------- “Let me make some phone calls,” Morris said. ------- ------- They were danced out and collapsed in their hotel room late that evening when the phone rang. ------- “That was Sally,” Terry said. She says there was a gang war last night outside Harold’s store. Nobody knows how it got started, not even the gang members, but a lot of people were shot. It’s a good thing the store was closed for the Fourth. Bullet holes everywhere, but no real damage. And guess what! Harold’s decided to turn it into a used book store with computers and a coffee shop. He’s going to call it, ‘The Fourth of July!’ Isn’t that great?” ------- “Great,” Morris said. ------- ------- ------- ------- |