Red Moon

Chapter 1 Part 2

Once I arrived, I parked my car and walked into my bookstore. With one glance back I pushed the lock button on my fob, can't be too safe these days, I thought idly. Betty came rushing out of the store, she looked like a wild woman all puffed up like that, eyes wild and her hair a little ruffled, like she had run her fingers through it one too many times and the result had made it worse, not better. I guess an overcorrection of sorts, today she had on a flowered blouse and jeans. she wrapped me up in a hug, this caught me off guard and I had to rock back on one heel and take a step with my better leg to avoid falling, I wasn't used to hugs, especially not from Betty. Recovering from a minor shock I awkwardly hugged back.

"Hi uh, Betty?" I said, my voice was slightly strained. She got the hint and backed off.

"s-sorry Kent, I mean, sir!" Her reply was a bit breathless, and a giggle that sounded like it belonged to a teenager's bra commercial bubbled out after, making me frown.

Now, Betty is a very lush and plump woman, she is short and has that completed and accidental 'I should be in a library shelving books' look with her round gold-framed glasses, short brown and gray hair that framed her kind yet pudgy face. She also had that look of that one mean pool lady in a retirement community, like an oddly kind busy-body that wasn't a total bitch to everyone.

I wasn't obsessing over these details, merely taking them into account, into my mental stash of information. anyways, I waved a hand and replied, " don't worry about it."

 My voice had a hint of softness which made her cheeks fill with a rosy color, a flush or blush I can't tell which but either way it makes me slightly uncomfortable. Besides I can't have her thinking I'm into her, I know she has a small thing for me but a relationship is not something I ever want to be tied to again.

She stuttered softly as she responded "T-thanks a lot sir." her voice wavered as she spoke and I once again grimaced softly, mentally so she wouldn't see, I don't want to hurt her either I do have some decency when it comes to a woman's feelings, or so id like to think. 

I have a tendency to be brutally honest and betty to me isn't easy on the eyes, well speaking of eyes hers would be stunning if the bags weren't like raccoon bruises under the light brown irises with gold and hazel flecks. hold on shes really close to me, did she say something and I missed it? Crap! 

I take a step back and clear my throat she shakes her head and looks at the bookstore "well it's almost time to open, should we go in?" I gave a curt nod and walked in pulling out the carts of books we had for 25 cents each, a nice little treat for those who couldn't afford what was inside. Not that our prices were outrageous, we are a used bookstore after all.

Betty started working  on pricing and shelving, I had to hand it to her, she wasn't the most fun to look at her , but her personality made up for all of that she had this kindness to her that made everyone's day brighter and she had such a doll-like mentality that was oddly innocent in today's day and age. She also was really good at math, which helped a lot around the store shes quite the odd mixture of things but to me, it adds to her charm. This all summed up how I feel about her.

The store featured a sign 'Redwend's Used Books' which had two gold lions on either side of the lettering putting one paw up on a stack of books. It was just the way I wanted it symmetrical, elegant, and the letters a nice shade of purple to set off the gold. Not royal colors, that's too cliche. 

When entering the smell of both new and old pages engulfed me, the stores signature scent, god I love it. Betty had gone deeper into the store already turning on the lights and prepping the bathroom for today's customers. I never ask her to do any of this and in fact, until I showed her what I do, or used to do in the mornings, shed just wait up in the front of the store in darkness.

Each wall and most of the floor is drenched and saturated with books their density in some parts of the store makes it a little precarious to navigate but I make do and so does Betty. Some places neat and others not so much but there's always a work in progress. The store is categorized some even by author. We get daily donations of books that keep us busy. I take pride in my shop and how it has grown.

Betty looked over at me as I sat down in my chair behind the counter "boss?" she asked timidly. I gave a half-hearted reply "hmm?" She asked, "Can I go home?" I looked at her and said, "Yeah you can." I didn't need to know the reason I just watched as she got into her car and drove away and I reveled in the stores' silence.  7:00 Am had come and gone, dawn was long gone and the suns harsh rays were burning off the morning dew. It was going to be a hot one today. I closed the shop's door deciding to open later today. 

"There, now, let's get to work!" I exclaimed loudly into the empty. Working here has its own charm that only a bookstores' atmosphere can provide. Getting back to my cluttered but somehow organized desk he got his MP3 player and blasted music as he cleaned, priced and worked the hours away.