Chapter Text
Liz was dusting the bookshelves and sorting the titles alphabetically. She smiled slightly to herself; she loved her bookstore. She’d built the life she wanted. As she examined the titles in the classics section, Liz remembered she just received a shipment of more copies of the best-sellers. She went into the storage room and opened the box. The new-book smell made her feel happy and relaxed. The box was full of paperback copies of Emma and Pride and Prejudice. Liz returned to the classics section and placed the books on the shelf, then a customer needed to cash out, so she helped them.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Red sat in the backseat of the car, hesitating as he eyed the storefront of Lizzie’s book shop. It had been about thirty years since he’d last seen her. He had just recently retired from his life of crime. It was safe to see her, and he wanted to see her. On the other hand, he was nervous about how to introduce himself.
Dembe turned to look back at him from the driver’s seat.
“Raymond…Remember, you can simply go inside, buy a book, and leave. You don’t have to place so much pressure on yourself.” Dembe said wisely.
“You’re right. If it doesn’t feel like the proper time, I won’t tell her anything. I’ll just act like any other customer, and then I’ll leave.” Red said, trying to convince himself that this reunion needn’t be perfect.
Dembe smiled sympathetically; he knew Raymond was still nervous.
“I actually do need a book to read. So that gives me an excuse. I have a lot of free time now. I should take up reading as a hobby.” Red rambled.
“Yes. Are you going in?” Dembe said gently.
“…Yes.” Red said, then he forced himself out of the car and into the bookstore.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Liz heard the chimes on the front door, but she was busy opening more boxes in the storage room. When she finished removing the contents of the current box, she went back out to the main area. Liz put the stack of books down on the countertop and her attention was captured by a handsome older man. He was dressed in a suit and lightweight overcoat, and he was peering up at the shelves, looking adorably lost. The man tilted his head to read some of the titles, and Liz smirked as she approached him.
“Hi, can I help you find something?” Liz said.
The man turned and as soon as he laid eyes on her, he appeared stunned for some reason. She smiled amusedly as the charming customer went into shock. Maybe he was startled, or he hadn’t heard her. She wondered if she should say something, but he spoke.
“I’m terribly sorry, I was…so engrossed in the hundreds of titles. You caught me off guard. I’m actually looking for Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.” Red said.
Liz smiled delightedly; this man was adorable!
“Great! I have that over here, in the classics section. I’ll show you.” Liz said, then she led the way with the man tagging along behind her.
“I just got some brand new copies. They smell good. Maybe that’s weird, but I like the smell of new books.” Liz said wryly as she retrieved a copy for him.
He chuckled.
“No, that’s not weird at all.” Red said, then he took the liberty of opening the book and sniffing it, much to Lizzie’s amusement, “It smells wonderful.”
Liz giggled.
“Yeah. So, are you an Austen fan?” Liz said.
“This is my first time reading her work. I’ve had such a busy life…I haven’t had a chance to enjoy all the great books other people have read. I thought I would start with this one. I’m a romantic at heart, and now that I’m retired, I can indulge in a little romance. I fear I’ve missed the opportunity to experience true love personally, but that’s what stories are for. They take us places and give us things we never even dreamed of.” Red said.
Liz was enchanted as she listened to the man’s deep, soft, soulful voice and his heartfelt wisdom. He noticed her staring at him.
“Perhaps that’s too much information, as they say.” Red said wryly.
“No! It was beautiful, what you said…but also sad. You talk as if you missed your only chance at love. That breaks my heart. Love can hit us at any time, even when we least expect it. There’s not just one chance.” Liz said.
Red smiled gently, appreciating her optimism. She continued.
“Besides, you’re an extremely attractive man. I’m sure women throw themselves at you. I mean, if you don’t mind me saying that…” Liz said, then she blushed lightly.
Red laughed heartily.
“Wow. Thank you.” He said.
Liz’s cell phone rang.
“Sorry, would you excuse me?” Liz said, then she grabbed her phone out of her back pocket. It was her dad.
“Hi Dad, I’m with a customer, just one second, okay?” She said.
Red smiled, but he didn’t want to say anything in case Sam recognized his voice. He silently handed Lizzie a twenty from his pocket and waved the book.
“Keep the change.” He whispered, then he left the store.
Liz was left standing there with the phone in one hand and a bill in the other, wanting to know more about the mysterious customer.
“Everything okay?” Sam said.
Liz put the phone to her ear.
“Yeah. Sorry.” She said.
“…You sound different. What’s up?” He said.
“He paid for the book and just took off. I wanted to find out more about him, he was really interesting.” She said.
“Sorry, Butterball. Did I cramp your style?” He said.
“No, not really. I’m not the type to pick up customers. Well, maybe I am, I don’t know.” She said, and they both laughed.
“Maybe he’ll come back.” He said encouragingly.
Liz sighed.
“Yeah, maybe.” She said sullenly, “It was so romantic. Like those meet-cute stories. Oh well. That kind of thing doesn’t happen in real life.”
“You never know. But try not to wait for this one random customer to come back. Other opportunities might turn up. I don’t want you to be disappointed, sweetie.” He said; he couldn’t stand the thought of his baby girl holding out hope for some guy who might never return. Lizzie had always been a hopeless romantic. She would get an idea in her head and run with it. Like when she thought she was going to marry her prom date, but they only dated a few times. His poor girl was heartbroken over the idiot.
“I’ll try not to. But he was so…I dunno. I’m just being silly. How are you doing?” Liz said.
“I’m fine, I just called to see if you wanted to come over for supper later and watch our primetime lineup of shows.” Sam said.
Liz chuckled.
“Sounds good. I’ll be there around six. Love you, Dad.” She said.
“Love you too, sweetie. Bye.” He said, then they hung up.
Liz enjoyed spending time with her dad, but she wished she had something new and exciting to do on a Friday night…like date handsome men who pick up Jane Austen to get some romance after being a workaholic for decades.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“How did it go, Raymond?” Dembe asked.
“I got a book.” Red said plainly.
“I see. Perhaps another time. Let’s go have dinner and a nice relaxing pot of jasmine tea.” Dembe said.
“Alright. Thank you, Dembe. I can try again another time.” Red said, although he felt deflated.
(To Be Continued…)