The gloves are my rabbit hole. Black cotton with perfect double seams stitched along each finger, triple stitched along the thumb, and scalloped at the wrist. Daytime gloves. Joe Berry gave them to me along with a mid-length pair, white cotton, still held together by a piece of thick thread, formal gloves, the kind you’d wear to a prom. No reason for this gift. No birthday. No occasion. “I knew you would like them,” he said simply…

I met him 40 years ago at Lauriat’s, a bookstore that used to be at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree. I know this because he signed my copy of “The Dead Zone” For Beverly — With good wishes; it was a pleasure to meet you — be well. Steve King” and then added the date: August 24, 1979. I was a big fan back then. I’m still a big Stephen King fan…