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Show 36 Stanley wrapped his fist around the top of Furgeson Strong's tie. "Get the hell out." That was the last day of his life Stanley Pell didn't drink. He closed his store. He took what little money was in the cash register and bought hams for the families in his apartments. He watched the first spring ships in the harbor, then went to his woods for his walk, returning home sober before dinner. He washed and shaved. He kissed Bush on the head. "You've had £ phone calls thanking you for hams," she said. "Yes," said Stanley. "Going away presents." "Some of the Jews couldn't use them." "It's the thought," said Stanley, sitting down at the kitchen table. "The thought." Bush sent the children out of the kitchen to re-wash. "I thought of my family too," Stanley said. He got up and xxxx went out the X back door, returning with a ham. He put it on the table, then raised both his arms in the air, like the old days, but this time he said nothing. He smiled at one hand, then the other. He let them drop. He and Bush ax looked at each other with more kxxxixaxx knowledge axxKMkxftxkxx than they'd ever asked for. "Some big decision today," said Bush. "Yes," said Stanley. "Some big, big decision." Stanley sold the apartments. Jfexjaxixxxxxxxaxaxxxaxxxixixa XXHXxxxxxxxxxaxBtxxxx He put money in an account so little Stan, Jon, and David would have money for extras at college, even enough to get David started if he didn't win a scholarship. He bought Bush wire and wood for new coops and pens, bought m her more chickens, more rabbits, more ducks, some geese, and a dress. Mxxiaxixaaxa xxxxxxiaxxxxxixxxxaxxxMaxaa He didn't pay the taxes on his land, instead he lent more money to his friends, xxxxxxx That's when Bush knew it was over. Because the girls were going to Holy Rosary for free, she convinced Stanley to give her several hundred dollars for the school, then stashed it with the rest of her emergency fund. She carefully repaired the cojjps and pens, calculated the reproduction of her stock, then sold all the extra material and stock she could spare, she took on mending from neighbors. |