Today, At The Bookstore

[la_samtyr]

The local used book store had its third anniversary Saturday but I had to miss it. The wind was so strong I didn't dare drive, since the Omni is so light. Anyway, I went in and was looking around for "possibilities" when I heard a lady ask if there was a copy of "In Cold Blood" in stock. There was one and when the lady checked out she spoke to the owner briefly about the book and left. I already had read "ICB" back in 8th grade and I wanted to hear what she had to say. I kept my mouth shut though, because I was still really pissed from the Oscars last night. So I put a couple of books on the counter and said I was going to look a little more, and to let someone else go ahead. Anyway, a fairly well-dressed man went and checked out a book, and then said, "You know, I would *never* read that book." I didn't think anything of that, 'cause I know a lot of Kansas people tend to view the Clutter murders in much the same way that Nebraskans view Charlie Starkweather. But then, he went on to say, "That book was written by a homosexual, and I want nothing to do with anything written by a homosexual." I was stunned because this guy looked *nice* you know, like a businessman or a professor--not at all like the sterotypical "redneck". ::shakes head:: I suppose I should have maybe said something but he wasn't talking to me but the store owner who was clerking at the time. But I didn't feel as if I had any legit way to insert myself into the conversation and in any case, he left right away. I mean yeah, I could think of lots of things to say and if I had, he might have decided to badmouth the store to all of his friends, which could easily lead to the store going out of business. Now *that* would bother me a great deal because I like the owner and I want to see her be successful. Until she opened her store it had been... oh, at least ten years or so since the last one had been around. So now I feel guilty for not speaking up. After all I've done to try and support "Brokeback" since it came out, I feel as if I failed a major test. *SIGH* I just don't know. I just don't know. I wish I had an answer. :(