That summer, you and Paloma see each other maybe twice, and there are no more make-out sessions.

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And because of the credit crunch, banks have shrunk back from lending, making it harder to get loans to branch out, or finance your inventories, or maybe even to make payroll.

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Maybe there is an opportunity for government to do something, make funds that go out and make investments.

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Instead of lashing out when challenged, she pauses to notice "the moment, maybe just a nanosecond, when you make the decision whether you're going to blow up or walk away, " says Ms. Pynchon.

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