I took a puff on my cigar and blew it up into the cool air of the library. I glanced out the window at the snowy, crowded street in front and turned intently to my long time friend. "Jerome, we've been friends for a long time."

"That's why I came to you Fin. I just don't know what else to do. I'm kinda at my whit's end. If one or even two of these had hit, but all this at once...I really need some help."

I watched him, and we sat in silence for a decade it seemed. "Jerry, that's what friends are for, to help each other out, you know." Another long pregnant pause filled the air.

"See here Jerry, what I really could use to get back on my feet is a car. I need transport in order to attend to a job.” He nervously darted his eyes around the room, and his fingers played concerto’s on the handles of the stiff wooden chair. “So what is old chum?”

I drew heavy on the cigar, and let the smoke gently escape my mouth as I stared at him. “Fin, I’d love to help you out. I have an extra car, actually two extras, but I can’t let you have either of them…”

“Oh, of course not, Jerry! I’d just borrow one for a week…maybe two.”

“Emm… As I was saying… The Fiat is not available since it technically doesn’t belong to me.”

“Doesn’t belong to you?! Jerry, I was with you when you bought it.” Fin’s face glowed red as he choked out the words.

“Fin, I promised the car to the salvage yard down the street when I’m done with it. I’m helping out that worthy institution by allowing them to have it when I am done and no longer have any use for the car.”

Finnigan just stared at me, but I had to attend to the ash. Finally, he quietly, and with great enunciation, said, “Do you feel some special satisfaction at giving them what is useless to you? That is quite a sacrifice.”

My head was down, and I was trying to relight the cigar when he spoke. I glared at him from over my glasses. “No. My real satisfaction is that I willed the other one, the Rolls, to them upon my death.”

“Doesn’t your son want it?”

“Of course, but I’m giving it to the business there at the end of the block. They’ve been good to me.”

“No your not, Jerry.”

“Not what?”

“Jerry, you’re not giving the car away. You’re stealing your son’s inheritance and giving that away.”

I ushered Fin out, and as I watched him walk away down the street I thought that some people can really be self centered.