Painting

Chapter 59

We sold one book today. I'm particularly worried about the store. Where am I suppose to go if it closes?

We close it for the day, Jammie waves his hand at me. I walk toward my building, it's already dark. The stars are out. They are sparkling. I walk faster and put my hands in the pockets of my coat. My keys are there. They slip between my fingers by reflex. The key ring has only two keys on it. So the little jewel attached to it slips between my fingers, too. I drag my hat deeper on my head. The wind picked up since this morning. I actually went outside after lunch, to take a little bit of fresh air. I may have tanned a little bit. Usually, James tells me to come inside after a couple of minutes, but today he didn't. He let me stay in the sun for about thirty minutes. The sun was shining and it felt great, since we won't have a lot of sun for another couple of months.

One of the perks of having long hair, is that it keeps me warm. I put it inside my scarf and it keeps my neck warm. I'm going to take a warm bath and apply some lotion after dinner. Just the thought of it makes me want to go faster. I have to stop by the grocery store, though. I am making soup tonight.

I head inside and take a basket. I stop in front of the section with all the ramen. A pantry always needs ramen, so why not? Also, I need to go to the vegetable section.

I take everything I need, pay and get out of there. I don't know if it's my paranoia that seems to have increased these last few days, but I felt like someone was watching me in there.

Keep it together, it's almost over.

I head home.

I drop every single accessory or food that I had in my hands. The coat goes in the wardrobe and the hat too. That's done.

I put some vegetable broth in a cauldron and start cutting my vegetables. My lap top is on the counter and I'm doing my Disney+ subscription. The first movie, I'll watch is Mulan.

Alright, I'm all set. So I can watch my movie while siting down at the table and eating, my soup.

I think I've done a pretty good job. It smells delicious. I take my fuming bowl to the table and start digging.

I receive a text message from Victor.

Victor: Tomorrow, we are able to come see you. Are you available?

June: Yes! When?

Victor: Tomorrow evening at 5 PM, is that okay?

June: It's perfect.

I take my phone next to my heart and sigh. It's almost over. My apartment is dusty though. Quick, let's get the vacuum.

First, I have to finish my soup and my movie.

The bowl is in the dish washer. Now, let's tidy up the place. Disinfectant and wipes should do the trick. I move around the loft while humming Disney songs. I actually feel like one of the princesses. Not quite that much, I have a great life, the complete opposite of her.

I dance around and go to bed early. Sleep comes easily. My bed feels fresh.

I wake up and the colors seem brighter, everything smells better.

It's almost over.

I put my clothes on and head for the kitchen. I prepare some warm tea, then look at the time.

 Already, 8:55 AM. I start my shift in 35 minutes! I better get going.

The tea goes in a bottle, it's perfect, it'll warm my hands.

Quick! My coat, my hat!

I grab something to eat and run to the store.

As I make my way to work, I see a lot of moving trucks going in the opposite direction of me. Someone has a big house and is moving a lot of things. Or... Could it be?

I put the bottle of tea in my purse and wrap my croissant, I put it in my purse too.

I run as fast as possible. I bump into a lot of people, I apologize every time. I look crazy. I basically don't care.

I arrive in front of the bookstore. Workers are taking the front sign off. I stumble inside and see Jammie at the front desk.

-Jammie?

-June...

-I don't understand...

-I wanted to tell you yesterday, but you seemed so happy.

I grab my hair.

-No, no... It can't be.

-You've seen what happened over the last couple of months. I don't have any choice, but to close the store.

-What about the books?

-I just sold them to the libraries.

I close my eyes.

-But I saved some for you.

He points a pile of books.

-They are all poetry, I know you like it, so...

-Thank you.

-I have this too. It's what your salary would have been for the next three months. Enough, to help you until you find another job.

-Thank you.

-I'm truly sorry.

-It's okay. I guess, deep down I knew. It's still quite a shock. Thank you for everything.

-I know. Thank you, I'm honestly truly grateful to have met you. You are an incredible person and I wish you the best.

I take the pile of books and head out.

Let's go back to the apartment.

The stairs seem endless.

The books are heavy. On the table, they go.

What am I going to do now? I'm jobless.

All the content of my purse also goes on the table.

I finish my tea and eat my croissant.

Seriously, what am I going to do?