Joe sat in the tiny boat, trying to push the confrontation with his father out of his mind. No matter how much he tried, he still couldn't believe that his father would do such a hurtful thing.
His dad didn't know Kathleen like Joe did. Kathleen was a loving, caring woman who was just trying to save the business that she loved so much. Unlike Joe who, up until recently was more concerned with how many small bookstores he could put out of business to ensure his own success.
He thought of all the times he and his father had worked together, hoping that their business would generate money.
"When a man has money, he's set for life. No worries about anything, and that's what I want for you, Son." His father once said.
Well, Joe had a lot of money, so why wasn't he happy?
Suddenly he had a revelation; one that startled him.
Happiness wasn't about money or being successful. It was about finding someone that you care about deeply, and wanting to share your whole life with that person. Sure, he did love Fox Books. He'd worked hard to get the business off the ground; from the days of his childhood when Fox Books was but a small store in the Bronx, to what it was now; a well known corporation. Without someone to share his life with; and someone to love...
Well, life just wasn't worth living.
He flipped the switch on his computer and waited until the screen lit up. His hand trembled slightly as he logged onto the Internet and almost instantly the familiar AOL logo appeared on the screen.
However, there was no word from Kathleen.
Damn it...
Before he could stop himself, he clicked on her screen name and began to type:
To: Shopgirl
From: NY152
Subject: I Love You
Dear Kathleen,
I'm sure I'm the last person you want to hear from, but please read what I have to say and I promise I'll never bother you again.
Please believe me when I tell you that I had nothing to do with that editorial in the New York Times. My father is still bitter over the rivalry we had regarding the store and without my knowledge, chose to write that editorial and sign my name to it. I would never do anything to hurt you and I know it's hard to believe, considering our history and the horrible way I treated you at Café Lalo, but please, Kathleen. I'm nothing without you.
If I could give up everything today; the success of Fox Books, the money... all of it, I would.
If only for one minute of you in my arms.
I'll love you forever,
Joe
He clicked on SEND and the email disappeared, on the way to the woman he loved. He looked around the empty boat, remembering the evening that he and Kathleen had spent in his dad's boat. He'd never been happier in his entire life.
As though wanting to provide some comfort, Brinkley appeared, nuzzling Joe's hand. Joe stroked the dog's ears.
"We've got to get her back, Brinkley. I can't live without her."
A few minutes later he heard the words "You've Got Mail".
"Kathleen..."
Anxiously he clicked on the email to open it, and his heart sank...
The user NY152 has been blocked.