Lisa

Thats a Snack

I crawled out of the wall in a mood that didn't seem to be improving and, put a protein shake in the blender. Some people like to beef them up a bit with banana or some spinach. I would prefer to puree in a flank steak. After thirty minutes of my so called shower spitting alternately scalding hot, ice cold and tetanus shot rusty water at me, I pinned my dark hair in an overly severe bun at the base of my skull and selected a nice bland cozy cardigan. I had a closet full of equally frumpy dresses and a box of sensible shoes. Nothing to see here! Certainly not a predatory lizard woman bent on your destruction! Just let me melt into the wall paper. I put on my favorite pair of black framed glasses. SO studious. They had been a gift from a past dinner date. I decided a little red lipstick would help me blend in more with the city and completed the look with my favorite gold locket. I treasure it, I tell people, because it contains the only photo I have of my mother. In actuality I had clipped this picture out of a 1950's feminine hygiene advert. Meh. She kind of looked like me, with smaller eyes. I had never known my real mother; having only met her once after just bursting through the outer lining of her internal organs. She had seemed nice! Although not particularly photogenic at that moment. While we didn't have an opportunity to bond, she had provided me with the iron rich nutrients I had needed, and I never ever forgot that.

The halls were much emptier in the morning though the screaming had already started in the apartment across from me. The couple I had nick named Punch and Judy were at it again. I didn't like Bruce. That is Punch's real name. Given the occasion I looked forward to telling him so.

I stepped out into the new day. Compared to my building it was squint worthy bright. With no breeze the heat was stifling. The streets were dirty and everyone seemed to be in a mood that compared to mine. I wondered what they had had for breakfast and it had been as unsatisfying as my own.

I made it to the book store five minutes ahead of schedule and was greeted by my new employer. At 4'2 Sylvia seemed harmlessly frail. She was more snow white bouffant, then actual height. She wore cat eye glasses on a chain around her neck and for all the good they were doing she may as well leave them there. "You are a good girl" she said, pressing the keys into my palm. "I have every confidence in you. Don't work too hard. Just be nice to the customers, maybe dust a little and lock up before you go home. If you want a cup of tea there is a kettle right over there." She pointed in the opposite direction of it. "And, I picked you up some Peak Freens just this morning. I like the little jam filled ones" Smiling warmly she dug around her over sized bag and produced a box of dog biscuits. Well darn it. I liked her. I tried not to develop attachment. It is nice to pet the friendly dog but remember he already has a home and shortly you may not. Still she was a spunky old broad. It would be fun working here. I have always loved book stores. It is like being in a room full of friends, or at least photo albums of them. I love to read and enjoy creative people. There is something about all that imagination and productivity that really pumps their brain chemistry. I can smell it on them, and taste it when the occasion arose. Don't get me wrong! I do not make a habit of consuming healthier minded folk but passions rise! Friends fight! I...tend to win. "A good girl" She repeated. "My Alfie would of liked you. We always wanted a girl of our own, or a boy, it wouldn't of mattered. Now before I forget let me show you the alarm system!" Sylvia scuttled behind the counter like an over sized elderly bug, beckoning me to follow. From beneath the til she produced what looked like a thumb drive with a button on it. "You just put that in your pocket. If anyone makes you uncomfortable you give it a push. They will respond to any emergency. Alfie insisted. He would not let me work in here alone without it." Oh my heart... it is a senior's alert. I absent minded nibbled a liver treat while she explained the rest of the store.

With Sylvia out the door I took to making the place my own. The store was small, cramp, dusty, it reminded me of a lovely cave I use to winter in. I had another dog biscuit and perused for books on anyone with whom I may be vaguely related but, her nature section was little more then a box of old National Geo-graphics. I did find a Godzilla esq. creature in the shelves of fiction and slipped it into my pocket.

There was a small break area in the back. Less a lounge area then a ladies room with an armour and a mini fridge but, it was nice to have on hand. Ok! I had been here almost an hour! Good first day. Time to relax. The bells above the door jingled. In a place this small and unkempt I hadn't actually expected to see a customer. The young man who entered was tall, ginger haired, and about thirty. He had a triangular face and deep soulful eyes that made me think of... how they would taste smeared on a cracker. Actually he did remind me of Van Gogh. Dang... now I want ears.

I ate another biscuit before emerging to see what he wanted. "Can I help you?" He avoided direct eye contact, looking over my head and down an aisle. "I need books on painting." Huh ironic. I pointed him in the right direction and went about making a cup of tea to show I was equally disinterested in HIS presence. The chicken dog biscuits were delicious! You could really taste the beak. I sat down behind the counter to enjoy them with my stolen treasure. Chapter one  Radiation Spill! He interrupted my story with books of his own placed on the counter. I avoided making eye contact while I rang his purchase up, but I did take a casual whiff of him. His aroma was spicy, like a child's Christmas treat. I wondered if he was full of cherries. He could be, if I fed him first. He broke the silence "You should be a good match for Sylvia." "Excuse me?" He still didn't smile. "She prefers to do the talking."It is what she likes about me too." It seemed I may be seeing more of him. Not a fan of familiarity but one day at a time. I'd have to ask Sylvia about him, see if he was a threat.