“No one expected gas prices to do this, Harlan. You don"t know what it"s been like, brother.”
Since Harlan had arrived twenty minutes before, Shep had been forced to repeat all the details of the morning"s discussions again. Rising gas prices had forced budget overruns in the fire department and the police department. More than five thousand and change, Shep told him. And that meant there just wasn"t money for the annual fireworks display.
“Ain"t no one"s fault, Harlan,” Ted offered.
Harlan ignored him. “But it"s tradition. We"ll just have to find the money.”
“These are tight times, Harlan,” said Frederick Gruber. “Even in my business we"re cutting back.”
“Fireworks are a luxury we just can"t afford this year, Harlan,” Shep said. “It isn"t so much open for discussion as it was just a
