We weren’t at all sure why Doc did it. Well, yeah, maybe human curiosity was the answer. Doc seemed to hate unanswered questions. It was about Sarah McKinley down at the Read Me Now bookstore. And yes, it was about the sign.

Inside, you see, on the end of one of the stacks, Sarah had hung this sign, proclaiming the area to be for books for sale on “Love and Other Fiction.” Most of us just giggled a little and let it go. But that wasn’t true with Doc or Dud or Steve. All three of them wanted to know. No, they had to know. There’s a difference. So, they had a meeting and elected Doc as spokesman because … well, he had these initials after his name. you know.

So, in went Doc one fine day in summer and bought a couple of books just for fun reading and smiled at Saraha lot. They discussed the weather and whether or not the season looked promising for peaches.

Then Doc said, “I know you aren’t married now, Sarah, but how about before you moved here?

“What?” she asked.

“Well, it’s about that sign you have. You know, wondered whether or not it was once tied to …well, a broken heart.”

“Isn’t that a pretty personal question, Doc?”

“Well … yes. I guess so, but your friends care about you.”

“So, tell me, Doc. How often do you and Mrs. Doc … you know….?

“That’s a pretty personal question to ask, isn’t it?”

“Well, … yes, I guess so, but your friends care about you… you know?”

We still don’t know about that sign.

Brought to you by Ol’ Max Evans, The First Thousand Years, by Slim Randles. www.unmpress.com.