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“Don’t get me wrong. I like Ivan—he’s a good man, and the
restaurant is a fixture in this town. Kristen and Josh love the hush
puppies there, and Ivan’s always welcoming whenever we show
up. But sometimes, I’ve wondered what drives him. His family
arrived from Russia in the fifties. First generation, in other words.
No one in his extended family has probably even heard of the
Civil War. But Ivan will spend an entire weekend pointing his
sword and shouting orders right in the middle of the road in front
of the courthouse.”
“Why have I never heard about this?”
“Because it’s not something the locals like to talk about. It’s kind
of… eccentric, you know? Even locals, people who really like him,
try to ignore him. They’ll see Ivan in the middle of downtown and
they’ll turn away and start saying things like, Can you believe how
beautiful those chrysanthemums are by the courthouse?”
For the first time since she’d been in the car, Katie laughed. “I’m
not sure I believe you.”
“It doesn’t matter. If you’re here in October, you’ll see for
yourself. But again, don’t get me wrong. He’s a nice guy and the
restaurant is great. After a day at the beach, we almost always
stop in there. Next time we come in, we’ll ask for you.”
She hesitated. “Okay.”
“She likes you,” Alex said. “Kristen, I mean.”
“I like her. She’s a bright spirit—a real personality.”
“I’ll tell her you said that. And thanks.”
“How old is she?”
“She’s five. When she starts school in the fall, I don’t know what
I’m going to do. It’ll be so quiet around the store.”