Krishna
It is a very short novel, probably republished from a short story – I don’t know. Nevertheless, Stephen King does a great job of spinning a yarn! As he almost always does.
We have of course reviewed this author’s multiple books earlier (see Dreamcatcher or Mr Mercedes for two examples). What is the story here?
Scot Carey comes to retired Doctor Bob Ellis with a problem. They are tennis buddies. He seems to be losing weight suddenly without doing anything specific to achieve it.
What is scary, and why Scot did not go to his regular doctor is that he demonstrates to Bob that no matter what he has in his pockets or how heavy his clothes are, he weighs the same with and without the clothes! Which is impossible in a rational world.
On what seems to be a side note so far, Scot is also in a dispute with a lesbian couple next door where he is upset that their twin dogs do their business in his front yard but dismissed out of hand as ‘it is impossible’ by them and upset, Scott tries to collect photographic evidence of catching them ‘in the act’. He confronts the uppity lady Deidre but then realizes that she is hurt. With the town. And realizes that their restaurant is struggling.
He then realizes that the fault was with the town. They are married lesbians and moreover advertise the fact in that conservative town for all to see and get angry. He resolves to support them even at the cost of earning many enemies.
Missy, the wife in the relationship comes to apologise for the rude behaviour of Deidre, without her knowledge. Scott is nice to her. But Deidre is furious that he stood up for them, ‘stirring memories that were dying down’.
Scott decides to run the race that year and challenges Deidre that he will win and if he does, she has to come to dinner in his place. She laughs. But when the marathon starts, he finds that he has the required stamina. He is right behind her, and realizes that he is not going to win, he left it too late, when she slides and falls. He helps her up and then lets her win. She is stunned.
A friendship happens. Now he and Dr Bob tell Deidre and Missy everything! The newspapers in the meanwhile play up the Scott angle and the town suddenly reconciles with the lesbian couple and their restaurant starts collecting crowds and gets famous and the friendship among the four (Scott, Dr Bob) and the couple strengthens.
Now a new worry appears on their minds. What happens if Scott drops down to zero? He thinks he will die but then is curiously at peace with the idea, surprising himself. He makes plans, selling his car and giving his cat away ‘to visit Aunt Ellis who is not well’ and says that he may have to go away for an indefinite period.
The ending is pretty weird. It is all I would say
6/10