Polaroid snapshot of the old plastic patio chair behind Hyde Brothers Books on Wells Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It has been there as long as I can remember.

I was saddened to see a sign on the store's back door that said that the store's owner, Tasha Bushnell, had died in early September. I hadn't been in the store in a long time, and didn't know she had passed away. She had worked at the store for a long time, more than 20 years. When the original owner, Sam Hyde died in 2019, his wife made Tasha the store manager. In December, 2021 Mrs. Hyde sold the business to Tasha. Her husband and adult children are keeping the store open.

I had known Tasha since 6th grade. She was a wonderful person. The empty chair behind the store seemed a perfect metaphor for the loss suffered by her family and friends.

10-7-22