JEWELRY
At the bottom, in different handwriting, someone had added:
CAPTAIN PANCAKE HAS NO COMMENT.
I stood on the sidewalk with my suitcase and read it twice.
Then I opened the door.
Captain Pancake was lying behind the counter wearing a black bandana printed with the wordsNO COMMENT.
“Hank.”
Hank appeared from the office carrying a box of snorkel masks.
“You’re back.”
“Why is the dog dressed like a publicist?”
“He has boundaries.”
“He ate a tourist’s flip-flop last month.”
“Growth is possible.”
Captain Pancake stood, stretched, and came around the counter. He leaned his full weight against my legs, shifting me several inches sideways.
I dropped the suitcase handle and scratched behind his ears.
“Did you miss me?”
He sneezed onto my shirt.
“I’ll record that as enthusiasm.”
Hank set down the box and hugged me.
His hugs were less efficient than my father’s. They involved shoulder compression and no clear release policy.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He stepped back and studied my face.
“That answer arrive before or after you decided to use it?”
“I spent several days with my mother.”
“So after.”
I looked around the shop.
