Coffee Read Free Page A

shelf.
    Etty
sipped and scowled, but then held the glass close to her face while
the flavor struck. After a tiny nod, she quickly tipped back her
head to swallow the full amount.
    “Interesting.
Can’t say I’ll give away my Glenlevit, but it’s
not bad.”
    They
rearranged themselves in the cramped space among the monitors and
computers to get comfortable with their drinks.
    “So,
Etty, what’s with the two middle initials? V.E.?”
    “Why,
have you been looking through my files? I don’t use the
middle initials except in formal documents.”
    “Guilty.
You were born in Nashua, New Hampshire. You’re thirty, you
hold a BS from Amherst College, and a Masters from Middlebury - am I
right?”
    “Wonderful.
I suppose you saw my application, too with all that bullshit about
running a multi-national corporation.”
    “Multi-national?
No, they don’t type applications into the student databases,
just some key facts. I’m sorry, I suppose I should be more
tactful. But, you’d be amazed what information I can get from
my little pulpit.”
    “If
you figure out how to change grades, let me know.” Etty
poured another half glass, and began taking larger sips.
    “Even
if I could, there’s no place to go with you. This is your 6th
trimester, and you have all 4.0’s - that’s A Pluses .
And the courses! We’re not talking cake-walk classes either.”
    Etty
blushed a little, but let herself smile knowing Knut could not see
her expression. “Well, thanks.” Another sip. Knut
refilled his.
    Knut
continued, “So tell me about your application. Are you
interested in world domination, or just a little multi-billion
dollar a year company?”
    “I
wrote about ten pages on it, actually. I did it partly to stand out
in the crowd. I heard they like to accept people with specific, not
general goals at Dartmouth. Although I think that is a bit naive, I
gave them what they wanted. President of a multi-national
corporation, specializing in trade of goods around the world,
headquartered in Europe.”
    “Partly
to stand out, but partly because you really want it?”
    “I
suppose. Sure. Why not?” She tipped back the glass for
another large swallow. “You know, Mr. Database, your facts
are a little wrong. I was not born in Nashua, if you care. I was
born in Germany with the last name Von Enes. My mother tried to
bring me here as a baby, but died of influenza or something during
the voyage across the ocean. I gather she didn’t have much
money.”
    “That’s
the V.E., then, Von Enes?”
    “Yup.
I was put up for adoption through New York Immigration, and taken by
a family in Nashua. Thirty years ago, they kept almost no
information on adopted emigrants. I know my birth date, former last
name, and Essen, Germany as birthplace. My new parents named me
Harriet Bishop after a family member, but as a small tribute, they
kept the initials.”
    “So
you know nothing about your real family?”
    “Nothing.
I’ve tried finding out, too. A lone baby arrives with dead
mother at Ellis Island. There are no records.”
    “That’s
a sad story.” Knut poured for both glasses.
    “I
can’t complain, I’ve had a good life with good parents.”
Etty noticed that he did not look when he poured, but filled each to
the brim without spilling. “How do you do that? Pour the vodka
so well?”
    “I
heard you put it down. That told me where it was, and I knew by
sound that it was empty.”
    Etty
felt flushed from the alcohol. “The only thing I have from my
mother is this watch.” She reached out her hand, and then
remembered he couldn’t see. “Here.” She touched
his hand and pulled it to her wrist.
    “Big!
Feels more like your father’s. This the original leather
band?”
    “I
doubt it, but the watch itself is Dutch, from the thirties. I love
it. If this watch ever stopped, something would stop in me too.”
    “Must
be big on your wrist.”
    The
binoculars from Knut’s special viewing equipment faced her
like two huge eyes at