Chapter 3

Introduction to Bert and Rose

 

Chapter 3

 

In a small fix-it shop a nice elderly man named Bert is fixing an old toaster. A man in a suite came in and was looking at the shop. He is very interested in buying it from Bert. Bert and his wife Rose had been thinking of selling the shop for some time to move to a warmer place and open another fix-it shop. The man offered Bert two times more than what he expected to get when they sold it. He quickly accepted the offer, and shook the man’s hand and told the man he would have the papers drawn up and ready within the next few days.

 

Rose stayed at home. She did the shopping and housework such as was the role of women of her time. She still upheld the housewife status.

 

They didn’t have any children but loved children dearly and were always nice to the children that lived around them. Bert was often known for giving out candy when they came into his shop.

 

He let them come in and watch as he fixed small appliances. He would work his magic with his screwdrivers and other tools. Sometime he would have one of the kids come in and help fix some easy things passing on his trade to anyone that was interested.

 

Rose and Bert though a nice couple, tend to argue a lot in public, sometimes embarrassing other people around them. Some people grin and giggle at their incessant bantering.

 

Bert’s day is over and he is very excited to give Rose the news of the day. He walks into the door and in his burley way he yells. “Rose you’ll never guess what happened! I got a buyer for the store! He is giving me more that I thought we would ever get. Twice what I originally thought, we can retire in a warm place maybe Arizona or Florida!

 

Rose grins a little she knows her husband can get very excited quickly over very small things or just the idea of something. She calmly questioned him. “Don’t get so excited Bert, did they buy it or are they just looking to buy?

 

“No Rose! You don’t understand, they came in, said it was perfect, and gave a much higher price than we were asking for!” Bert bursts out.

 

“Great! Now we can retire. Bert? Have you seen the news? It looks like we will have to postpone retirement for today.” Disappointment wavered in her voice.

 

She sounded like she knew something was going to happen to them yet she was not really surprised.

 

“Well I guess I will pack something to snack on we have to go to the schools and see what will happen. I know you will get grumpy when you don’t get your food.”

 

Bert replies back, “Woman you don’t know what you are talking about but pack something good!”