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But Ito let so creep shut down the factory that happened to be the lifeblood of the area

By the tie, I’d had four more factory eot ho the front desk at the family B&B

“What have you heard about a corporate executive co to shut down the plant?” I said

“All I know is I’ve got a reservation here for a Jere with a corporate-issued expense account card out of Boston He’ll be here for a week It doesn’t take a whole week to shut down a plant surely Maybe it’s just a quality inspection”

“I don’t know,” I said “But I’ this Jere to be the opposite of e need But if he thinks we’re just going to fold up and cry, he’s underesti up this daycare business and o and let so with it”

“That’s irl,” she said “But rear You have to kill them with kindness”

“What if you don’t want to catch the flies, Mom? What if you just want to swat them?”

“All I know is you get better results being sweet andyour manners Maybe if this fellow likes you—”

“Do not tell est I seduce a corporate drone sent to ruin all our lives,” I warned

“Well,a friend”

“Do you think he’s going to bring a friend along to shut down the plant? It’s not a house party in Jane Austen, Moible friends around for me to meet,” I quipped

“You’re so funny And single Try using that brain of yours to get a man,” she said

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said

“Have you tried that Tinder thing I’ve been hearing about?” she asked

“MOM!”

2

Jeremiah

My plane landed at the nearest airport, twenty-five miles from ings The place was too small to have any chain hotels—definitely not Four Seasonsat some locally owned inn that was likely to be soe I bracedto owe myself a vacation after this stop