Oct. 25, CLEVELAND, OH. Vette's leaking coolant. Repair hose -- have duct tape, will travel. Walk with Rosie behind motel, through humble, tidy neighborhood hard-pressed by industrial parks and interstate. Stop at Pal's Drive-In. Looks like no one's driven in for a while. Order window so low, have to double over to order grilled cheese and fries from lonely, eagle-faced grandmother inside. Wears six rings; one says MOM. Hands out a complimentary cup of ice cream for Rosie because she has a German shepherd too. At reading, bookstore staffers win Rosie's undying love by feeding her copious treats. Win my undying love by joining a mother and daughter in buying multiple copies of my book as gifts, getting a jump on their Christmas shopping. 

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