ACROSS THE WAY
Ralston and Catherine strolled around the Village Square, watching shop windows of jewelry, clothes, accessories and suits.  The morning was comfortably cool, a fine breeze fanned Catherine's chin while Ralston kept an attentive hand on his straw hat.

  It was a grand morning to be easily idle, entertaining yourself with thoughts which never return.  It was a day of everything fine.  They strolled along the sidewalk toward the Blue Goose Sandwich Shop, an intimate gathering of chairs and a few tables.  To sit at a table was the privilege for the few.

  Across the cobblestone street the building opened up with an arch through which everyone walked from the parking lot to the Village.  As Ralston and Catherine ambled on by, she observed a man in tattered clothes, rummaging through a garbage can.  Both Ralston and Catherine knew the Village Shop Association would see the man and call the police.  Catherine halted, holding Ralston's hand so he would also pause.

  'What are we to do, Rally?  He's not really doing any harm.'
  'No, but the shops won't like him being here at all.  Image is everything.  The Police will have to find him a place to stay.'
  'That's unfortunate.  He seems more lost than dangerous.  Maybe I'm wrong--am I?'
  'Possibly not, but if the Shop Association does not complain, one of the patrons will.'
  'I'd like to help him,' she said watching him almost fondly.  'What can we do?'
  'We personally can't really do anything to change his life, but we might be the ones to speak to the policeman before they cart him away.'

  Ralston then left Catherine standing there while he walked up to the man, bent over a garbage can, unshaven, smelling, with teeth missing.  Just then Charles Point of the Association came through the archway, a dark figure outlined in the shadow.  Catherine saw Ralston speak with Charles...they were negotiating over something.  Then Charles and the man walked away, in the other direction.  They came back with the same man carrying a guitar.

  Ralston by now was back with Catherine.
  'Well?' she asked, anxious.
  'Not to worry, Miss C.  The man is a musician down on his luck, been unemployed for some time.  He plays flamenco guitar once in a while at restaurants.  So Charles is going to hire him for the Village, every Saturday until the fall.'
  Catherine smiled.  'Oh my, this is so good.  Music outside here in the Village, what a wonderful idea.'
  'There is something you should know, my dear.'
  'Yes?' she asked, holding his hand warmly, smiling widely.

  'I told Charles you would pick up the tab for him.'
  'You what?'
  'That's your good deed for the season, Cathy.  You are so generous to support the arts here in our community.'
  'I am?'
  'Why yes, and he's going to play at your next social gathering, imagine that.'
  'Why do I even put up with you, darling?'
  'Because you are a Good Samaritan.'