The Sin of Love

Chapter 23

A few days later, on a splendid sunny day, Sam decided to walk to the neighborhing town. The weather was bright, the cloudless sky had never seemed so blue to him. The warmth of the sun on his face was one of the most remarkable sensations he had found. He walked for a long time, more than an hour, on the sidewalks and the roads, resuming his old habits of an invisible man, but fortunately the streets were little frequented in this region of small rural villages. He finally reached James' little book store.

- Oh, Alexander! Come in my boy,- James exclaimed when he saw her.

- Good afternoon James, how are you today? What about your back?

- Oh I'm not very young anymore but I'll get over it,- he replied.

- You should have some help,- Sam told him.

James looked at him tenderly then.

- Alexander ... you don't have a job do you?

Sam blushed. He was a little ashamed but had no diploma, no special skills, could not even drive a car. The real Alexander was just 19 years old when he disappeared and had just entered a business college. He had not had time to study further or to pass his license. In the story that Saligia had invented, Alexander, after his maritime accident, had worked on a farm with animals in the family that had taken him in: an adorable old man who had accepted him despite his loss of memory. Little by little Alexander found bits of memory. Then, on the death of the old man, began to reconnect with his family whose name he remembered. In this context, impossible to find a job. Carmen had told him that it was okay, that she had more than enough money for the two of them, but he still felt some guilt about the situation.

- What would you say that I train you so that you can work here?- the old man then proposed.

- Are you sure? - Sam said.- I'm very flattered but after all I'm only poorly qualified and-

- You are the little nephew of Carmen Flores, whom I have known for years, I have every bit of confidence in you, and your point of view on books is very, very interesting, - added James.

- It would be an honor, - Sam smiles frankly.

The simple fact of knowing that he will have a healthy occupation of his days and in addition the privilege of working near Rosalie's shop warmed his heart. After all, he was not passing through, he was going to live there another sixty, maybe seventy years with luck, he was going to have to do something with his life and earn a salary, especially if he wanted to be worthy of Rosalie.

- So it's decided, - said James,- for the moment, you will come every afternoon between 2 and 5 p.m. I'll discuss the terms with Carmen.

- I'm very grateful, James, really, - Sam said shaking his hand.

Sam wanted to see Rosalie. It was a day that took place under the best auspices, maybe he was lucky enough to take a chance. He made his way to the store but it was crowded, Rosalie and Louison both seemed very busy. He sighed and was about to leave when he heard a ball bounce nearby. He stuck his head over the portal to the driveway that led to the backyard behind the building and heard those bouncing noises again. He walked through the gate, curious, telling himself that neither Louison nor Rosalie would blame him for entering that corner. He walked along the narrow corridor and found himself in the backyard he obviously already knew. It was there that he had passed several times, as a ghost, to wait for his pretty blonde to take her break. Pleasant memories flooded back. Rosalie, smiling, almost flirting with him... Sam couldn't hold a smile.

- Mister Alexander?- said a small voice.

Sam turned to Julian who was hugging his basketball.

- Hey, hello Julian, he smiles. Shouldn't you be at school right now?