The good-looking old devil was probably a ladies’ man in his day. Looking back, Nhoc sees his adopted world. His carefully selected books pack th... shelves that he can still see through the big front window. He is proud of his selection which is probably the best collection in town for discerning readers. The comfortable chairs near the glass that his customers can sit and read before they buy or borrow his books are empty today as the shop is closed. His paintings hang on the wall. On. " It's not your fault, Jim. I'm just glad you told me."We sat there for a few minutes then Maddy let out a big sigh and asked, "Did you ever wonder why some people have it so lucky when it comes to finding their soul mate and others like us never do?" Yeah, sometimes I think the Presbyterians are right about everything being predestined and that God had it in for us when he set it up." I don't know about that, Jim," Maddy said. "If I believed that, I think I'd just shoot myself." Well, maybe. I gave it the old "I must have written it down wrong" and she was laughing saying perhaps she had deliberately given me the wrong number to brush me off. Anyway the ice was broken and we started chatting.I was still in touch with hubby and was keeping him up to date and he confirmed she had told him all about it, and it wasn't long before we were flirting. She was open and told me she was married, and later also mentioned her hubby had been encouraging her to find other men, but that she hadn't. The cards were done, lunch was done, and wine was well under way. Some of the ladies looked familiar, I knew some names, and was re-introduced to everyone. They were loud and freindly and pretty much feeling no pain.The pack mentality kicked in, helped along by the wine, and enboldened a couple of them to be more direct and flirtacious than they would otherwise have been. No harm done, all in fun, and everyone, including me, was enjoying the banter.As the afternoon wore on the ladies began.