The Best is Yet to Come

Twenty-Three: Emma

I knock on the wooden door to alert my presence and push it open, seeing Glory at her desk with a salad.

"You wanted to see me?" I ask her, sticking my head in the room. I hope to God I'm not in trouble.

"Emma, honey, come in." Ok, a term of endearment, I guess I'm not getting fired then. I walk in and sit in the familiar chair across from her. I try not to look as nervous as I feel. I place my palm over my bouncing knee, trying to soothe my nervous habit.

I watch as she drenches her lettuce with dressing, wondering what she's eating a salad for if she's just going to put a pizza's worth of calories on it.

"I need you to train the new higher, Liam." she says, taking a bite of her salad soup. "His first day is today and I have to finish these orders." She points to a hazardous stack of papers on her desk.

Great. Now I have to pretend to be a person today.

"I'm going to put Sarah on the register so that you can show him the layout of the store, teach him how we stock books, things like that." she continues.

"Sure thing." I've trained everyone who works in this store besides Glory herself, so at least I know the task won't be difficult.

Thinking we were done, I move to stand from my chair but Glory stops me. "One more thing, Hun." she says and I plop myself back into the chair.

"I just want to say that I'm impressed with how much growth I've seen in you these past few years. You're my model employee and I'm proud with the initiative and dedication I've seen. Your raise starts today. Keep up the good work." She smiles at me. "Now go find Liam. Make him half as good as you." She gives me a wink.

I feel a surge of pride as I thank Glory and head out the door. Praise is one of the best things in life. Everyone just wants validation that their hard work can pay off. I can't help my smile as I look for a blank name tag for Liam.

****************************

"So the store is divided by subject." I explain. "Non-fiction is in the back with Children's; Mystery, Horror and Romance is on the left side of the store, and Young Adult, History and Poetry are located to the right."

Liam turned out to be a cute blonde haired junior in college. He was baby faced with blue eyes that reminded me of the beaches from my childhood vacations on the west coast. He seemed nice, if not a little dorky, and he was very smiley. They all start out that way. He'll learn.

"The layout is confusing at first because everything looks the same but you'll figure it out eventually." I assure him. "When in doubt, just stack the books on the floor. Glory will never notice."

Liam raises his eyebrows and gives a nervous laugh at this; clearly he thinks I'm joking.

I explain a little more about how to know where to stock the books, showing him the number system we use and when I think he understands, I walk him to the back room. I place a stack of assorted books in Liam's hands.

"Now, for your test." I tell him and his eyes widen a little with obvious panic. I feel a buzz in my pocket and reach for my phone. I have a new text from Noah.

"I'm not sure I..." Liam stutters, the books held awkwardly in his arms.

"You'll do great." I assure him and impatiently push him back through the door and into the store. I immediately open the message.

Are you busy Saturday night?

The butterflies kick in and I give an audible snort at his assumption that I have a life.

I'm never busy. What do you have in mind?

I never agree to plans without knowing what they are first, just in case.

I have a charity dinner to attend. I'd like to take you as my plus one.

Fantastic. People. But I'm not going to lie and say I'm not considering it. A whole night with Noah, dinner, music, and drinks.

I don't have anything to wear to a charity dinner. I'm assuming its formal wear considering everyone attending probably makes more money in an hour than I do in a year...

I can find you a dress. I know a shop in town that can help us out last minute. Meet me after work?

See Noah after work? Every part of my mind is screaming at me to make up an excuse but then my heart comes into the equation and kicks my mind's ass. I send my response before I overthink and change my mind.

Okay.

Noah sends me the details of where to meet him and I put my phone away. I check my watch. Two more hours to go. I can do this.

I walk back into the store to see a flustered Liam turning over the books I handed him, desperately trying to figure out where they go. I take pity on him and head in his direction to help.

"Liam" I say softly but approaching him from behind was a mistake because he jumps a little when he hears his name. "You don't have to be so nervous," I say in a gentle voice. "Everyone here is really cool. You're going to love it." I assure him, pairing it with my kindest smile.

He gives me a forced smile back but his eyes still look weary, clearly not convinced.

"Here, let me help." I take the stack from his hands and spend the rest of my shift walking him through every book. Before I leave, Liam assures me he understands.

"Thank you so much, Emma. You're the best." He gushes, thankful for my patience. I give him a pat on the back and turn, ready to get my stuff and leave. Liam follows me as I grab my bag from Glory's office.

"You're going to be with Sarah on the registers for the rest of the shift. Just watch her every move and you can help her lock up tonight." I tell him and he gives me a nod. I pull my bag over my shoulder and walk with Liam to the front of the store to hand Sarah the keys.

Sarah gives my companion a hungry look when she sees us walking towards her. I roll my eyes and look back at him. He'll never stand a chance against her. I bet ten bucks they sleep together before the end of the week.

Well, there goes our new hire....