"No, Dad! Absolutely not! I can't let you do this! I won't! You're too young to just give up like this!"

"Give up? Who's giving up?"

"But you just said-."

"I know what I said! That you're a lazy, no good-."

"He's right, Dob."

I didn't have to turn around to know that Maynard had returned. "Maynard, please!"

He just shrugged and smiled. "Like hi!"

"Hi, Maynard." My greeting was completely unenthusiastic, but I had bigger things to take care of. I'd apologize later. Chances were that Maynard would forget

about it soon enough.

I walked over to Dad where he was fiddling with the cash register. "Look, Dad. Tell me what I need to do. I'll do anything!" When he didn't respond, I laid my

books on the counter and headed for the stockroom where I grabbed a broom, dustpan and put on an apron. With a smile on my face I swept the entire store

until there wasn't a trace of dirt to be found. When I finished, I carefully dumped the dirt from the dustpan into the trash can and returned the broom and

dustpan to the stockroom. I have to admit that I was proud of myself.

"What else do you need, Dad? I'll take care of it."

"I appreciate what you're trying to do, son, but it's not going to work. My mind's made up."

I had the strangest urge to cry, but I remained strong and handed Mom a clean rag when I saw the tears in her eyes.

"Oh Herbert, you can't really mean that!" She cried.

"Of course I mean it! I should have done it ages ago!"

"But what will we do? How will we survive?"

"That's the beauty of it! If this works, we'll be home free!"

"I don't understand, Herbert. Without your income-."

"What are you talking about?"

"The store, Dear. Can you really get along without it?"

"Get along without it? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, you just said-."

"I know what I said! Haven't we been over this before?"

"Well, sure, Dad, but Mom and I think you're making a big mistake. You may not be as young as you used to be, but you're still strong!" I sighed and lowered

my eyes to the cement floor.

"What's going on around here?" Dad demanded. "You and your mother act like I'm closing the store for good!"

I looked up. "You mean, you're not?"

"Of course not! Why would I do a crazy thing like that?"

"Like I would!"

"Maynard, please!" I was definitely not in the mood for Maynard's advice.

Mom ran over to Dad and flung her arms around him, showering him with kisses. When I saw how happy she was, I went to hug my dad as well.

"Oh Herbert! I'm so glad to hear that!" Mom said in between kisses.

"Hear what? I haven't even told you what I'm going to do yet!"

"What are you going to do, Dad?"

Dad smiled proudly. "I'm going to hire someone to help me in the store part time."

My relief and happiness over my dad not closing the store crashed to the ground like a shattered jar of pickles. This was the last thing I expected him to say.

"Dad, why would you go and do a thing like that?"

"Boy, haven't you been listening to a word I've said? I'm telling you that I need help!"

"Like that's for sure!"

"Goodbye, Maynard!" Dad yelled.

"But-."

"OUT!"

I gave my friend a sympathetic smile. "See ya, Maynard."

"Like bye." Maynard replied, as he walked out of the store.

I was in such shock over Dad's plan that I was afraid if I said something it would be the wrong something. So instead I excused myself, telling my parents I was

going upstairs to do my homework. It was partially true. Actually I was going to my room to try to figure out a way to help my dad without having to do any

work.

Unfortunately I couldn't think of a single thing.