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“
We had to rearrange inventory to make room for a new shipment. But she’s still here, waiting as usual. I was afraid you weren’t going to make it today. You’ve really taken a shine to this one, haven’t you?”
“
The Yamaha wasn’t quite right. This little Steinway, though…” His voice trailed off, choked with emotion. “Mr. Bailey, sir, I think I’ve decided to take her.”
Bailey’s smallish eyes widened, and with his needlepoint nose and jaw hanging open, King thought he looked a little like a cod. King carefully counted out a wad of hundred-dollar bills. “Will this be enough for the down payment?”
Bailey beamed, “This is plenty for a down payment. But I thought your wife—”
“
She’ll get used to the idea.”
He knew what her reaction would be. The blazing eyes of a Chinese dragon, disapproval oozing out every pore, hands on her hips where he swore they’d become permanently affixed as if by superglue. Her state of perpetual anger had transfixed her face into a wreath of wrinkles, all pointing downward toward the eternal fire and damnation where she was certain he was headed.
In his wallet he kept a picture of her from the days when they were dating, the blue-eyed smiling nymph with the auburn hair and a wicked sense of humor. He looked at it from time to time to remind himself that the demon now haunting his days had once possessed human form.
*****
On the walk home he felt like dancing. Let them mock. Tell him what a fool he was. He knew the angel in the stained-glass window wanted him to have the piano, and you just don’t argue with divine intentions.
