The city’s largest bookstore buzzed with excitement over the latest book signing scheduled at three p.m. that April Saturday. In fact, it was already two forty-five and the guest author should be walking through the main door any minute now if he was going to start signing hard copies and greeting his local reading public at three sharp. Many of the fans had seen the author, Ted Spyres, on TV talk shows and knew he had a tendency to tease and play the clown. So, they were ready for practically anything out of the ordinary such as a wild wig or funky outfit.
“Isn’t it simply delightful?” said Millie Rush to anyone near enough to hear her clearly and respond.
“You can say that again,” old Mike Shapiro said. “How often is it we get a writer of Spyres’ caliber around these parts, big city or not?”
“I hope I can get done quickly,” said Martha Berry. “I’ve got a niece’s birthday party to attend!”
“We’ll make sure you get in front of us,” Millie said. “I, of course, have all the time in the world.”
The volume of the buzz increased as a smiling Ted Spyres, in suit and tie, began his umpteenth big city bookstore entrance.
When he seemed to trip and fall face-down to the floor, the entire bookstore broke into an uproar of screams and laughs. So this was the day’s prank, they told themselves a little nervously!
When Ted didn’t get up and dust himself off, of course, the true horror of it all began to dawn on the would-be well-wishers one by one. While an ambulance was on its way, some recalled that only a week earlier, a famous health food expert and health magazine founder in their city had dropped dead before thousands of viewers on a live TV show.
The heart. Like the weather in just about any part of the country you can name, it is so unpredictable.
