an unexpected love story

Toni's Music Shak

Alex

The longer my eyes drift to the guitar the worse it gets, should I really sell it?  If I don't there aren't many alternatives as to how I would sustain myself. 

Fuck it I forgot how to play anyways.

I snuck a mini container of pepper spray in my right pocket as this neighborhood isn't the best.  I decided to take a pass on the short cut and took the longer route to Toni's Music Shak, the name might fool you, but it's one of the best music shops in the state.  Ranging from old dusty vinyls to brand new state of the art guitars. 

My brother worked there for a while to earn money for college tuition becuase he was a broke music fanatic.  He would always make me listen to the Beatles whenever he had the chance, I never really liked them, but they definitely have grown on me now.

As soon as I opened the door, the bell attached rung.  "Alex is that you?"  a voice said coming from the back of the shop as the figure inspected me.  It was Toni. 
"It's been a while hasn't it."  He said and I could honestly hear the excitement in his voice, I laughed and shrugged, "I guess it has been."

"Well how's Rayne, I miss seeing that friendly face everyday."  He asked and I just tried to smile and shrug.
"He's been fine I guess, haven't seen him around lately though." 
"Well, that's quite a shame, he's a good kid." 
I quickly switched the topic gearing it towards the guitar placed in my hands. 

"That's quite a beauty."  He said as he admired the detailing of the instrument.  The bell rung again, and a girl and her mother walk in. 
"How much for it though?"  If it's not worth over $100 I won't sell it. 
"Well since this is a collective piece, I think it would go for around 25 hundred."  He said while furthermore examining.  25 hundred?!

He handed me a check and I have never held so much money in my hands. How the hell did Rayne afford it in the first place?
"Thanks." I said as my eyes were glued to the small piece of pricey paper.
"Pleasure doing business with you!" Toni said as I walked out the door, pocketing the check.

Macy

I've never been to a shop like this before, right as we entered a red haired girl was talking with the man at the register.  As she left the man looked to be holding the most beautiful guitar. 

We walked over to him and I asked i could hold it.  He shrugged and handed it over.  It was glossed and black with thin strings.  Once strummed it was loud and soulful, it's perfect.

"How much?"  My mother asked the man at the register.

"About $250."  He replied and my mom suddenly looked hesitant.  She slowly pulled out her wallet and handed him three crisp $100 bills.  He gave her $50 back and now it was mine.  He also pulled out a nice black leather case to keep it in.  I couldn't stop grinning.

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Toni knew that guitar wasn't worth $2,500, and he also knew about Rayne.   He knew that if she would sell that guitar of his she must be desperate, so he wanted to help her out.