The Story of the Red Stove

And, because friendship can never be overrated, and because I DO need to reminisce about happy things, I'll tell the story of the red stove.

A saw the perfect wood burning stove at the store - I forget which store or where the store's located, please feel free to use your imagination. It's red. True red, not fire engine red, not maroon, just perfect red, with enamel-like finish in a classic configuration, with a glass front. Pretty much the epitome of a grand New Hampshire heating device. Even in the store's display setting, among lesser specimens and species, this was a standout. A could envision the red stove installed catty-corner in the house, snuggled next to the big screen, warming winter nights (and days - it's always cold in NH).

The price was apparently right, or right enough to bust the budget, so A inquired of the shop keeper. The stove was sold, to Mark and Steve, two years before. Of course, on further cross examination, A determined that Mark and Steve hadn't paid for the stove, they were checking on building codes, or viability or if the stove would clash with the Moroccan art or whatever, but for two years the stove sat gathering dust and even an interested party with cash in hand couldn't budge the store owner's loyalties and/or word of honor. Could Mark and Steve be contacted? No? Could their last names be given so as to track them down? Either that was a breach of confidentiality or the surnames were unknown. Poor A, you think, throw up your hands and continue the search for the second most perfect stove in New Hampshire.

You, apparently, have never met A.

She called once or maybe it was twice in the coming weeks, checking on the stove, or Mark and Steve's whereabouts, but, everyone was still waiting (it seems everyone in New Hampshire is very patient, except A, but she's not a native). So one Saturday, A gets a truck, a strong friend, and goes to the store. "Hi, I'm here to pick up a stove for Mark and Steve."

And let me say, we really enjoyed that stove...and the story.