Amelia

Part 1

Winter 2024

Green Grove, Washington is a small town. Population 2,800. Everybody knows everybody one way or another, along with all the drama that comes with each person which is why I loved living way up in the forest surrounding the small town. I always kept to myself especially after my parents both were killed in a car accident last year. I did have one friend tho I should say, Noël Auclair, who was also my neighbor. She lived in the guest house that my parents had to me in their will along with the 50 acre property and main house and guest house. I should also say I ran the little bookstore in town too that they had owned as well. I loved working there so it never bothered me to continue working and running the store after they passed.

I was currently sitting behind the desk in front of the store reading when I heard the bell door go off. I knew what time it was to know that a certain blonde was coming in.

"Annnnd lunch is served madame!" Noëls sang as she placed a coffee and sandwhich on top of the wooden desk. "Turkey and american cheese with mayo. Plain Jane just how ya like it!"

I laugh. "You're the best! And of course you would think it's 'plain Jane'. But I'll have you know that it hits the spot each time!" I rub my tummy dramatically and then grab the food. "What was the damage?"

"You know better than to ask me that. You let me live in the house free of charge. Youuuu don't pay a cent for anything I get you!" She says. "Besides even if you did charge me rent I wouldn't let you pay for your lunch anyways. You're my best friend!"

"Oh what a doll you are!" I exclaim as I reach across and grab her hand. "Do ya wanna help me shelve the newest books we just got in?"

"Yeah I got tons of time to kill. I just finished my shift at Joe's and I didn't have any plans tonight." Noël says as she grabs the shipment box off the floor and puts them on a cart.

I shake my head. "It's not like there's anything to do around here anyways besides the bar or the theaters. Anything good is over an hour away!"

"And that is the price we pay for living in a small town! Worth it tho. I wouldn't change a thing!" She laughs and points to the books. "Where do you want these at?"

"That shelf over there. I don't care how they go up. I can always organize them later, besides I have to get some of them ready to drive out tomorrow!" I open my laptop to check on the recent orders. "Someone ordered quite a few books and they live close by so I'll just wrap them up and drop them off tomorrow!"

"Close by?! That's nice! Wonder who...maybe Carol, I know she loves to read." Noël says as she continues shelving.

"It's not Carol besides she would come in to buy them annd stay to ramble on for a good hour about what her and her cat Cinnamon did the past week. This one says Jake Haneul. He must be new to the area!" I say.