The Boy and the Bookstore

Chapter 5 - Gambling on Boredom

Sam was sitting on a comfy chair reading an economics book and drinking coffee. He was sitting in a city coffee shop and was more or less lurking around in the area. He was only reading his economics book when the traffic in the store was not busy. Otherwise the book was nothing more than a front to listen in on others conversations. Sam had grown bored. The writer he was working for was doing a piece on the change in economy and he wasn’t interested in the topic. He had contacted Charlie about once a week but Charlie was up to nothing that any other college freshman wasn’t doing. He was staying up too late, going to parties on the weekend, and going the school’s sporting events. It was not worthy enough of being trivial. Sam was looking for the smallest piece of information to spark an interest in anything but wasn’t receiving it. He had been sitting in this coffee shop for about three hours when a couple sat in a table next to him and started talking. The man had a clean cut corporate type haircut. He had dark brown hair and was cleanly shaven. The woman had long black that was a little messy. He was wearing khakis and polo and Sam assumed he was on his lunch break. The girl was wearing jeans and hoody and looked as if she hadn’t been awake very long. The conversation was mostly one-sided as the man did most of the talking. He was going on and on about graduate school and also having to work full time at some store and what he hoped would happen after he finished. What interested Sam was the female did not even politely acknowledge what the man was saying. Normally most people nod their heads or say something to acknowledge they were paying attention. Sam felt he was paying more attention than the female was. He peered over to the lady and noticed what originally looked like a small bruise on her neck but as he looked closer it was actually a hickey. The girl had long enough hair to hide it but had pulled her hair back to make it noticeable. Sam was finally interested. He got up and stood next to the table and interrupted the man speaking.

“I’m sorry but how long have you two been together?” Sam said looking at the guy.

“Almost two years.” He said.

“Interesting, and how long have you been cheating on him?” Sam said looking at the female. Her eyes got big her mouth opened as if she was going to say something but didn’t know what to say.

“What! Who the hell are you?” the man said.

“It doesn’t matter. How long?” Sam said still looking at the girl.

“How dare you imply such a thing to my girlfriend!” The man said. Sam turned and looked to the guy.

“Okay. When was the last time you guys had sex then?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“It’s been awhile then.” Sam looked back at the girl. “She has a hickey. She’s generally bored with you and tired of hearing about you rant about your dull life bouncing back and forth between school and work. The mythical spark, as they say, is gone. But you’re a stable guy and she’s insecure. She wants to stay with you because you’re safe but she isn’t happy. She’s actually really bored with you or else she’d at least acknowledge you in conversation when you talk.”

“It’s just a bruise.” The girl managed to say.

“Oh no it’s not. I’ve seen my fair share amount of hickeys and that is one.” Sam looked back at the guy. He was shocked and speechless keeping his eyes away from both of them. He looked back at the girl and she was the same way but she was staring straight at him. “Well I’d say this two year relationship was almost over anyways.” Sam pulled out a pen from his pocket and wrote a number down on a napkin. “If you want some rebound sex you can give me a call. I know you’ll want more but you’re cute enough to spill some fluid onto your sheets. Nothing else though.” He winked at her and then turned around grabbed his book and walked out with a smile on his face. The couple watched him leave in silence. Sam had an idea pop into his head.