57My 58. No Cash, No Sale

By 1966, Alphy was fifty-nine years old and Margurita was forty—nine. The window business was booming, and Dennis was working full time with his father. Alphy had given Dennis the responsibility of glazing the windows. Glazing was the process of putting the glass in the windows. Dennis would secure the glass with metal ‘tabs’ and putty. The putty had to be just the right texture to make a smooth edge around the glass and window frame. Dennis had mastered the skill, as he did the job very neatly and with speed.

Alphy had made plans to eventually leave the business to Dennis, as the older sons had moved on to other ventures. Alphy had calculated that he would be able to afford to retire in a few years, as he had a small amount of savings put aside.

In the summer of 1966, Alphy decided that he would help Dennis finance a car. He saw this as an incentive to keep Dennis interested in the business. Alphy co—signed a loan so that Dennis could buy a car. It was a 1964 Chevy, off-white in color.

Alphy had taught Dennis many things besides carpenter work, including money management and how to operate a business success- fully. This also included how to deal with difficult customers. Alphy had also cautioned not to give credit to anyone, unless sure of the

person’s commitment to pay.

One day a man had come over to pick up a supply of windows. This was a large order which the man had requested by a certain date and Alphy had made sure that the windows had been completed before the deadline. The man drove in with a truck to pick up the windows. Alphy and Dennis helped him load the windows on to the truck. As the windows were being loaded, the man complained about his financial problems and the cost of living.

After the windows were completely loaded unto the truck, the man told Alphy that he couldn’t possibly pay today as he has a

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