Confessions of a Curious Bookseller(76)
Florence,
Ah, what an exciting time! It has been such a rainy spring that I find myself transformed into a whole new woman on sunny days like this. Currently my employee, Jack, is opening the store while I finish my coffee on the roof with my laptop. Mornings like this remind me why I love Philadelphia so much. In late spring, the city glows in the morning heat and the sun beats down on the buildings, sucking up all the dew from the night before. The rivers seem to sigh their vapors up to the sun, blanketing the atmosphere with their questionable contents. Midday a humid smoggy mist falls over everything and walking outside can feel like a sauna, but this is precisely what I love. The heat has always been a welcome sensation for me: like a big hug and not suffocation, as most people see it. Perhaps it is because menopause is hardly affecting me. Who knows? I may never get it and stay young forever! Ha ha!
For sure we will get loads of people in today—perhaps UPenn students that have decided to stay in the city all summer. We have placed a beautiful array of potted plants and flowers out front and have bought all new store signage to grab people as they walk by. My competitor down the street is insanely jealous by the livening up of my store and shows it by accusing me of stealing his posters! As if I would do such a thing.
I am so glad to hear that Memorial Day was enjoyable, and I am so sorry to have missed Little Joe’s singing. Please know that you are all welcome here any time. I would love to have you. And tell Little Joe that I won’t put him on the spot and make him sing like all his other relatives do each time he visits anyone. I say let the little guy be a kid! For example, Bert is extremely skilled at catching his toys in his mouth. I used to have him do it for customers until one day he realized how degrading it was to be constantly “on” like that, so I believe he purposely “lost” his little toy. Now he just lies around all day and walks off every time a customer approaches him for a pet. This is what happens when we force things. Just a thought!
Fawn
From: Florence Eakins
Sent: Wed, Jun 5, 2019 at 11:12 AM
To: Fawn Birchill
Re: Hooray for sunny days!
Hi Fawn,
Nice to hear from you. I’m really glad you’re enjoying the weather. I think I’m going to take a walk during my lunch break—it’s been kind of a stressful day here.
Regarding Little Joe, he’s the one who insists upon singing all the time. It’s not us. It’s a little annoying that you think that’s something we’d do to him. I’m very protective of my kids and would never be that kind of mom. If you spent more time with us, you’d probably understand that. Sorry if this is harsh. I’m having one of those days.
Flo
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Wed, Jun 5, 2019 at 12:34 PM
To: Jack Grisby
Subject: Toilet
Jack,
Please do not use the customer bathroom. I’ve told you, go into my apartment and use my toilet. And do not blame this mishap on the macaroni salad. If your stomach is so sensitive that you can’t handle a little pasta and canned tuna, then you have bigger problems.
Fawn, Owner
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Wed, Jun 5, 2019 at 12:56 PM
To: Jack Grisby
Re: Toilet
Jack,
On second thought, I just checked the expiration date for the mayonnaise that I used in the salad, and it looks like it expired last year around this time. I thought it smelled funny a couple of weeks ago but blamed it on being a knockoff mayonnaise brand, not something out of date. I am truly sorry for the inconvenience this has caused on your intestinal system. I suppose it is rather fortuitous that no one at your party ate the salad or you would have all been rushing to the bathroom.
We frugal ones like to keep things a bit longer than we should. Once my father kept a small carton of eggs for months and months until Christmas morning when he decided to surprise us with a scrambled-egg breakfast. Needless to say, we opened our presents between bathroom breaks.
Fawn, Owner
From: Tabitha Birchill
Sent: Fri, Jun 7, 2019 at 5:46 AM
To: Fawn Birchill
Subject: State of mind
Dear Fawn,
Are you doing all right? I tried calling you yesterday, but you didn’t pick up. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard your voice. I don’t know why you are wondering about the fact that we never bought you a pool when you were a child. It was a long time ago.
If you must know, it was because your father was frugal. I tried to convince him to buy one since you were both such hard workers, but he wouldn’t listen. We took you to the Jersey Shore quite often because we thought it was important you experienced swimming and the only cost was fuel and a quick lunch. Cheaper than buying and maintaining a pool, by far.
I heard there was another building collapse in the city. Was it anywhere near you?
In the coming weeks I’m going to be a bit busy with things, but perhaps I can pop in one day after that?
Love you,
Mother
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Fri, Jun 7, 2019 at 6:00 AM
To: Tabitha Birchill
Re: State of mind
Mother,
Thank you for your concern, but I’m having a hard time understanding it, as it seems to have come entirely out of the blue. Once again, I must remind you that the one time you came to visit me, you showed up unannounced as if to intentionally catch me in the state in which you found me. I must reiterate that I was on my way to dinner and was having a whirlwind of a busy day. Instead of springing visits on me, perhaps it would be better to plan something. I know you are capable of doing that with Florence almost every weekend.