Confessions of a Curious Bookseller(63)



But I digress, and for that I apologize. I have been rather glum lately, so I tend to do the lonely thing and go on and on about anything my heart desires. It is even more convenient for me while writing an email, as you cannot walk away. Ha ha! I suppose you could stop reading, and for that reason I will get back on track!

Case in point, I nearly spilled my wine glass all over my keyboard! Time to focus!

Since you came about these cats by virtuous means, I would love to stop by—perhaps tomorrow—and meet them. I only need a cat who is friendly enough, as I plan not to get too attached. I will not go into the sadness of the passing of my last cat, but I will tell you that when I love something, I love it with all my being. So much harder is it then when it’s taken from me.

Well, that is all for now. Let us set up a kitty date?

Many thanks,

Fawn, Owner, The Curious Cat Book Emporium



From: Florence Eakins

Sent: Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 3:33 PM

To: Fawn Birchill

Subject: Pirates

Okay! So Pirates tickets are ten bucks each. There is only one comp ticket, and we’ve decided to give it to Mom.

Hope to see you there!

Flo

From: Fawn Birchill

Sent: Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 7:18 PM

To: Florence Eakins

Re: Pirates

Dear Florence,

That’s what they want to charge people for a middle school show? Who’s in the play with them, Pavarotti? If Mother is taking the comp ticket, that’s fine. I know she is on a very fixed income.

I am very much looking forward to seeing it!

Regards,

Fawn



From: Hank Turo

Sent: Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 8:42 PM

To: Fawn Birchill

Re: Cats for sale

Sure, let’s meet tomorrow at noon in Palumbo Park instead. My wife and I will bring them all in crates, and you can check them out. I don’t like to let strangers into my house.

Hank

From: Fawn Birchill

Sent: Tue, Apr 9, 2019 at 9:18 PM

To: Hank Turo

Re: Cats for sale

Hank,

I understand. Since my home is attached to my business, I have no choice but to let Philadelphians stomp around underneath my sacred apartment. It is often an odd feeling and spurs many strange dreams. Often I wake in the middle of the night to find that I am sitting up in bed, handing imaginary people their change and bidding them good day. My hands do this dance around my imaginary cash register for hours before I realize, through a sleepy fog, that I have been up all night conducting business in bed with no one there at all!

I digress again! I apologize. Since my cat died, I have been in quite a state; however, I have recently taken in a new lodger who has been a much-needed ray of sunshine. Appropriately, her name is Rainbow. Go figure!

Tomorrow at Palumbo Park sounds splendid! I will be wearing a sun hat with a red ribbon. How many cats will you be bringing?

Many thanks,

Fawn



From: Angela Washington

Sent: Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 1:23 PM

To: Fawn Birchill

Subject: Rainbow

Rainbow is on the roof doing headstands because she told me it was “headstand Wednesday.” I thought you should know because people walking by are concerned. Also, I don’t know how much this has to do with magic tricks, so I think asking her to stop would be okay and not get in the way of her “artistry.”





—A


From: Fawn Birchill

Sent: Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 1:45 PM

To: Angela Washington

Re: Rainbow

Angela,

Thank you for letting me know. I will ask her to come down unless she can justify what this has to do with magic. Thank you for being concerned for her safety.

Fawn, Owner

From: Angela Washington

Sent: Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 2:02 PM

To: Fawn Birchill

Re: Rainbow

More than anything, I’m concerned that her falling would be a huge liability. Not sure that’s something you want to risk.





—A




From: Fawn Birchill

Sent: Sat, Apr 13, 2019 at 1:09 AM

To: Hank Turo

Re: Cats for sale

Hank!

I have decided! After MUCH internal debating, I choose the overweight gray one. He is sluggish and dull but has lovely, kind eyes. Would you be able to deliver him?

Fawn

From: Fawn Birchill

Sent: Sat, Apr 13, 2019 at 2:20 AM

To: Hank Turo

Re: Cats for sale

Hank,

It was so lovey meeting you and your wife the other day. No doubt she has won the the jackpot as not only are you a young self-reliant urban farmer, but an attractive one at that! Also I get the impression that you are a democrat and an athest by the Darwin t-shirt you were wearing when we met. You are a gem and I cannot help but think how lucky your wife is . . . not that she is not beautiful! She is quite somewhat pretty indeed, but I got the feeling that she was a little protective of you and I dare admit say, I would behave the same if you were my husband, as you are a real steal. She did come across as mildly hyperaware of me, aloof and slightly threatend. I do hope I didn’t frighten her, as I pose no threat whatsoever! Sometimes my cherry nature is mistaken for flirtation, and so I do hope hope that impression was not given.

Did I say I waned the gray cat? If I didn’t and sipped all that accidentally then please yes, I will take the gray cat.

Elizabeth Green's Books