Fit to Die by J. B. Stanley Page B

rarely men or children. Now, if we get some carnival rides and food booths like they’ve got at the state fair, we can attract a huge crowd.”
    “Then we’d have to charge admission.” James frowned, concerned over the logistics of such a large event.
    “Yes, sir. We’d also charge for people to enter the pig race and the Ladies’ Hat Contest. The winners would receive cash prizes. Scott and I think the cash will encourage more folks to enter.”
    James looked at Francis in surprise. “Ladies’ Hat Contest?”
    “Well, we haven’t worked out the details of that one yet, but it’s a bit different than the usual boring bake-off. Megan Flowers would win any baking contest we held anyway.”
    James agreed on that point. “Well, we should remind folks that this event is about the library. What if it was a hat contest with a book-title theme? The ladies could parade in front of a panel of judges and then be awarded first, second, and third-place prizes.”
    “That’s good, Professor!” Francis beamed. “Boy, if I were a lady I’d design the coolest War of the Worlds hat or maybe a—”
    “This is a rather large undertaking, Francis,” James interrupted before Francis could fantasize about the creation of a dozen hats based on his favorite works. “I think we should limit the number of outside vendors we have for the first year and see how things go. I’m sure we could get Dolly’s Diner and the Sweet Tooth to set up food stalls and we could hire a few ride and game vendors, but we don’t want to get too big for our britches. We could lose money if we don’t sell enough tickets.” James paused. “But overall, it really is a great idea. This library branch is very fortunate to have you and Scott. If we could just make enough for two more computer terminals …” James trailed off as he dreamed of new machinery being placed by the windows and of a row of beaming patrons applauding their arrival.
    “Two?” Francis pushed the reshelving cart past his boss. “We were thinking of at least four—maybe six. We could move those paperback spinners closer to the Children’s section and create a whole Tech Corner.”
    James looked beyond Francis to where Mrs. Hughes sat staring at a computer screen. Mr. Tuttle was close by, flipping the pages of an automotive magazine with unnecessary vigor.
    “Six new computers.” James mused. “That would certainly serve our patrons a whole lot better than these two dinosaurs with microchips. I’d better get on the phone with some vendors.” He retreated to his office and contentedly began to sort out the details of the first Shenandoah Library Spring Fling. All afternoon, he was so busy that he completely forgot about the banana and small bag of pretzels he had brought for snack. Even when he chatted with a vendor regarding cotton candy, elephant ears, and funnel cake, his mind remained focused on improving his beloved library, not forbidden foods.

    When James arrived home a little after five, he was ravenous. He had eaten the banana and pretzels in the truck right after work but still felt as if his stomach were totally hollow. He forgot all about his hunger, however, as soon as he pulled up in front of his house.
    There was his father, thirty feet off the ground, tool belt strapped around his trim waist, inspecting the newly laid roof shingles surrounding the base of the chimney. As James watched in a state of incredulity, Jackson made his way over to one of the workmen who was stapling shingles around the area that had allowed water to leak into the upstairs bathroom with every rain. His father moved in that stooped half-crawl that men employ when transversing the steep slopes of roofs, and James could not believe the older man’s limberness or the camaraderie he displayed in slapping the other man heartily on the back. Soon, the two men were laughing like old friends. James hadn’t heard his father laugh aloud in such a manner for years, and he smiled at the deep