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Alex shrugged into his winter coat, zipping it as he prepared to leave the clinic Carmen would have supper ready and he didn’t want to be late

As he walked through the lobby, the phone rang and Saundra answered it

"It’s for you," she said

He strode back to his office and picked up the receiver

"This is Alex"

"Hey, buddy I haven’t heard fro you?"

"Gerald!" Alex sat down in his chair "What have you been up to?"

"Nothing ht I’d call and wish you a Merry Christ what happened to youand if you’ll ever get back down this way again"

"I like it up here just fine," Alex responded conversationally

"I can’t i happy when you’re tied down to one spotone wo hoht?"

Gerald laughed "I’ve got sandwich stuff in the refrigerator"

"That’s a," Alex said in a dry tone "How did that happen?"

"I haven’t been there all day," Gerald answered

"Did you ever get up the nerve to ask that secretary out to supper?"

"Oh, I’ve got the nerve What I don’t have is the inclination I got a tip that she is husband shopping The life of a bachelor has too et old"

"Oh," Gerald said, "by the way, thanks for that financial advice I turned a good profit on that piece of real estate"

"Good"

"How is the safari thing going? Do you have any aniht now - and a couple of Angora goats Caroats that are supposed to kid in February I’ve been talking to the fish and game department here about some Elk that aren’t up to par for a release into the wild"

"Sounds like thinks are progressing," Gerald said "Let ot soetaway for a vacation"

Alex groaned "I’ets fixed, I’ll have to initiate it Car on her ownnot using MY money"