Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor

Chapter 02

"So you're going to start today?" Mrs. Chapman inquired, her shaky old voice asked Jade from across the cash register, Harry smiling brightly at them both on the side, clad in his pharmacist jacket and thick glasses that he didn't really need. But he'd always tell Eva that they made him look more..official. 

"I think so..thank you so much." Jade responded, nodding her head with a grateful beam. Mrs. Chapman chuckled as she shook her head. "Don't thank me yet," she said then looked to Harry who leaned against the counter, watching them interact. "Did you show her what she's going to be doing?" she inquired and Harry nodded, "Yes ma'am." he replied graciously. He admired the old woman. She taught him everything he knows, and she also promised him the small pharmacy when she was ready to retire. Doing his job became that much more enjoyable. Especially with the amount of trust she held in him. 

"She'll be working the register and stocking the shelves." he continued, looking over at his recruit. Long hair adorning her head, a light ombre affect going on with it as well. She wore a knitted sweater and jeans, with plain ole' combat boots. She was short and sweet. That's why she caught his eyes. Not to mention the desperate predicament she'd been in. 

Jade smiled and then looked to Mrs. Chapman who motioned to the register. "I check the register everyday at random, so you're going to have to account for every dime," she said and the entrusting nature began. It was obvious Mrs.Chapman had her doubts and assumptions just by looking at the girl. She looked uneasy and reluctant to even give the girl this job in the first place.

Jade's smile dropped and she nodded, "No problem."

"Random," Mrs.Chapman pressed and Jade nodded harder, letting her know the information sunk in, or subtly assured she wouldn't steal anything like Mrs.Chapman seemed to assume. "I got it," Jade assured, her eyebrows raising at the peculiar woman. 

"Harry uh, tells me you're from Boston..?" Mrs.Chapman announced, sliding her bifocals onto her nose. "Uh..yes." Jade replied simply looking to Harry then back to Mrs.Chapman. 

Mrs.Chapman giggled and shook her head, "You don't sound like you come from Boston." 

"Do you know Boston?" Jade asked, a brow raising. Mrs. Chapman shrugged as she leaned back. "No..I've never been there..yet," she said, "what part of Boston?" she inquired, leaning back in. 

"Roxbury." Jade answered, still a bit uneasy from the woman's pestering and questions. "Oh." Mrs. Chapman sighed and made an unamused face to Harry that wasn't very subtle, then looked back to Jade with  an obvious fake smile like she hadn't just wordlessly insulted her. Jade just looked down, her insecurities scratching the surface with a clear of her throat, an awkward silence taking over as both Harry and Mrs. Chapman looked to her. 

"Are you married?" Mrs.Chapman asked. "No, I'm not married," Jade countered. "Any kids?" Harry piped and Jade looked over to him with a shake of her head saying, "No," an irritated purse of her lips following after. 

Silence captivated the entire shop as they just stared at one another. Jade laughed awkwardly and then internally rolled her eyes. 'Weirdos,' she thought. "So should I be getting to work..or?" she asked, filling the silence and Harry nodded quickly. "Yes, um there's a box of deodorant that needs to be restocked. You can start there." Harry said, and Jade nodded muttering an 'okay' before she grabbed an apron and looked to Mrs. Chapman with a light grin before she walked away to begin. 

Harry was about to too, but Mrs. Chapman stopped him. "No husband? And that blouse she's wearing, and those boots..." She started shaking her head as she thought she was whispering. "She's a lesbian." she concluded, like a light bulb suddenly lit in her brain. Harry swallowed and shook his head, "Does it matter?" he asked.