Freddy S. Zalta: Somewhere on the outskirts of town, this town being Nowhere, New York, there is a little book shop called, “The Turtle.” This book shop has been around since 1938 and has been owned and managed, since then, by the Rumpio family. Oscar opened the store in 1938 when he was 23 years old. He had inherited a sum of money from his grandfather, Charles, who had passed away the year before. Grandpa Charles had left him the money with a one sentenced instruction. “Use this money to make your dreams come true.” Since Oscar’s dream had been to be a writer, he decided to open a bookstore. In 1941 he enlisted into the US Army - in 1945 he returned to the store with his dream intact, but his left eye missing. During his time overseas the store was kept open and run by Oscar’s mother. When Oscar returned she remained in the business to help with the ordering, inventory and accounting. “I’ll be your left eye, son.” She said. In 1951, Oscar spied a red haired girl reading “This side of Paradise,” in his store. He walked over to her and began a conversation. This conversation lasted well into the evening hours; first over dinner and then as he walked her home. They married a year later and had 2 children. Charles and Helen. On September 11, 2001, Oscar and his red haired lady were at the wrong place at the wrong time. They were visiting New York City with another couple when the first tower came down and they were swept away. Charles took over the responsibilty of the store and Helen ran the social aspect of it. It was her idea to begin book clubs and nightly poetry readings. Helen moved to Chicago and married her best friend from college. They opened up their own store on the outskirts of Somewhere in Illinois and had four children of their own. Charles stayed in the store on the outskirts of Nowhere, New York and drank several cups of coffee during the day. One day he found a manuscript with his name on it. There was a date beneath his name, May 22, 1925. “A Life of Lemons,” By Charles Rumpio.Instagram