Confessions of a Curious Bookseller(4)
I am simply tired of going at this alone, otherwise I wouldn’t have led him on this long. It’s quite nice to have my own business and good employees and a geographically close family, but in these later years I’m beginning to long for more. Richard was merely the man who seemed interesting at the moment. And now because of my flighty interest and fickle tastes, his feelings have been hurt. There is nothing really wrong with Richard; he’s just not the man for me. Just as a shoe that is two sizes too large is not for me. It’s no fault of the shoe’s, nor is it any fault of my foot’s. Oh, here I am trying to make myself feel better. I hope I still have some wine left in the fridge! Most of the time that works better than any reasoning and logic.
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Fri, Nov 9, 2018 at 9:30 AM
To: Staff
Subject: Richard
Dear Staff,
If a man named Richard comes into the store looking for me, tell him I am out and let me know immediately so that I can disappear until he decides to leave. He is handsome, about 6’3” with thinning brown hair and large green eyes. I told him my father is dying and even though he isn’t, please play along if Richard mentions it.
Thanks!
Fawn, Owner
phillysmallbiz.com
Fri, Nov 9, 2018
Top Review—The Curious Cat Book Emporium
I stopped in here today to just peruse. After leaving I realized another bookstore is moving in just down the street and looks kind of amazing. I’m really glad a new place is coming in because the Curious Cat Book Emporium is an unorganized dump, and its time has come!
—David P.
phillysmallbiz.com
Fri, Nov 9, 2018
David P.,
Your comment was both hurtful and inaccurate. Please do not use phillysmallbiz.com to tout your slanderous remarks, but keep them to yourself. No doubt this new store will be wildly different from ours, and there will be no competition between us whatsoever. Most likely they will specialize in certain books or (god forbid) have a poor selection but a great atmosphere—the death sentence for a new bookstore.
Thanks for stopping in to the store (even though you gave it two hearts). I do hope you found the book you wanted!
Best wishes,
Fawn, Owner, The Curious Cat Book Emporium
From: Richard Saunders
Sent: Fri, Nov 9, 2018 at 11:04 AM
To: Fawn Birchill
Re: You and I
Hi Fawn,
I understand the pressing need to care for family, and I appreciate your honesty. You seemed distracted the last few times we were out, so this explains it. I was a little concerned it had something to do with me.
And just to set the record straight, I was mildly embarrassed that I managed to splash soup all over the front of my shirt. I actually hadn’t realized it happened until I was home and looked in the mirror. It would have been nice had you told me the moment you noticed it so I could have done something about it before it got out of hand. Maybe this is all for the best.
I wish you well.
—Rich
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Fri, Nov 9, 2018 at 11:26 AM
To: Richard Saunders
Re: You and I
Richard,
If you must know, yes, the soup incident was a bit difficult to stomach. I can’t help but advise you that if you know from the start that you are an avid slurper and dribbler, then do not order soup on a date. And you are correct: this has nothing to do with you personally. I simply cannot take care of two men at once, and it is only because of blood connection that I choose my father.
Additionally, a new bookstore is moving in literally a block from mine. Thus far they haven’t contacted me or acknowledged my store, so I fear I am stuck with neighbors who lack decorum and manners. I stood outside to watch them unload trendy couches and large boxes of who knows what while my eye twitched ever so slightly. In the twenty years I’ve owned this business, something like this has never happened. As you can see, there is much cause for stress in my life.
Sincerely,
Fawn
From: Richard Saunders
Sent: Fri, Nov 9, 2018 at 12:16 PM
To: Fawn Birchill
Re: You and I
Hi Fawn,
Actually, I didn’t need to know that the soup bothered you so much, as it wasn’t my fault. And since we’re going there, it’s probably a good idea for me to remind you that I live on a librarian’s salary, so insisting we eat at swanky steak houses every time we go to a restaurant is a bit gauche.
This has been very illuminating.
—Rich
P.S. I hope your store isn’t too affected by the new neighbor and that your father feels better soon.
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Fri, Nov 9, 2018 at 1:45 PM
To: Richard Saunders
Re: You and I
Richard,
I fail to believe that one doesn’t feel hot soup cascading down one’s shirt. Maybe all that time in the library has made you quite the great storyteller. Ever consider writing fiction?
Thank you for your concern regarding my store and my father.
Fawn
From: Richard Saunders
Sent: Fri, Nov 9, 2018 at 1:56 PM
To: Fawn Birchill
Re: You and I
Fawn,
That was unnecessary and over the line, but I will assume it’s because you are stressed, so I won’t fault you for it.
Regarding your store, I have an acquaintance through my work at the library who has an impressive inventory of books that he is looking to off-load for the right price. His grandfather just died—he was a bit of a mad collector—so he’s holding an estate sale. His info is attached.