Pure Spring (First Trade Paper Edition edition.)

Spring has arrived, and Martin O’Boy has finally found a true home with Grampa Rip and a job at the Pure Spring soft drink company, though he lied about his age to get it. However, not everything is perfect. Martin feels bad about lying to kindly Mr. Mirsky, Pure Spring's owner, and sometimes Grampa Rip’s brain goes very far away. There's the mysterious yet familiar man in the park. There are Martin’s memories. Igor Gouzenko, the famous Soviet defector, has unexpectedly reappeared. And Martin learns that his very peculiar, dirty-mouthed workmate and boss, Randy, is a blackmailing crook. When Martin falls in love with the beautiful Gerty McDowell, whose old grandfather is being robbed by Randy — with Martin forced to act as an accomplice — Martin’s happiness, his sense of duty, and his love for Gerty collide. It won't be easy, but he has to find a way through all of it and preserve the joy of spring. This sequel to Boy O’Boy is Brian Doyle at his brilliant best, deftly blending deeply serious, even tragic moments with great humor and pathos.