downstream on a moonbeam

“No, don’t worry about it at all,” he said even as he grimaced and bent over to clutch his aching toes. Moby Dick was no light read. He straightened up and accepted the change; he’d purchased yet another book on directing, as if the more useless knowledge he filled his head with, the better he could ease his guilty conscience about not attending school.

“Are you sure you’re alright? I can practically see the pain in your eyes.” Sadie tried to appear sympathetic but couldn’t keep a smirk from playing across her face as Moby Dick laid dramatically on the floor, pages splayed. She took a look at the book that she was bagging for this customer, and arched an eyebrow. “Are you a director?” She asked, mentally kicking herself for prying. Not one of her most desirable traits. “Sorry, probably none of my business. It’s just that most people who come in here tend to buy shit along the lines of self-improvement or Kama Sutra. So, this is a change.”

    Magnus wasn’t the sort of person to immediately snap at someone, no matter how grave the offence. The life that he lived, only cooler heads would prevail and he’d gain nothing from being so reactive. So when he felt the weight of the book, his annoyance was kept from his expression entirely in favour of a more neutral, sympathetic one. “I suppose I ought to be thankful that it was Herman Melville and not the Holy Bible. I hear those are murder on the foot. It’s rather ironic actually.”

Sadie chuckled. “I don’t know, man. Moby Dick is one substantial book. Would probably do a whole lot more damage than the Bible, literally speaking.” She finally looked up from the cash register, making eye contact with this enigmatic customer for the first time. When she saw his face, surprise immediately coursed through her body. “Hey, I’ve met you before. I’m sure I have.” She narrowed her eyes. “You wouldn’t happen to have spent some time in New York City, would you?” She knew with almost utmost certainty who this man was, but she figured she should give him a fair trial nonetheless. 

“Oh.” Josi said flatly, looking down at her foot. She could tell the other girl was under some type of pressure. It wasn’t a big deal, no pain caused to her foot whatsoever. “It’s okay. No damage done. You’re doing just fine.” The short haired girl nodded and took her change.

“Thank you.” Sadie sighed. “I really do appreciate it. It’s hard for me to stay calm under pressure.” She had to practically bite her tongue to keep herself from continuing to over-share. This poor customer, just trying to get on with her day and instead being interrupted by a fumbling store clerk. “But, I’ve got to stay strong.” The brunette whispered, a twinkle in her eye. “My boss is like a wasp. He can smell fear.”

“Ouchie,” Dom exclaimed dramatically, reaching to rub on his toe, already pouting. “Now I’m going to have a bruise. I’m sensitive, okay? Chill.”  He grinned warmly, taking the change and pouring it all into his pocket– a habit he would later regret whenever he got around to do laundry, never checking the pockets to save his life. “Don’t worry about it. You know what theysay– the first day always sucks a giant load of ass. But it’ll get better, and easier, then you’ll get a promotion, and one day– maybe– be manager of this shit. I believe in you.”

“Aw, someone need a band aid?” Sadie asked teasingly. “Although I know I do appear to be extremely intelligent and most likely skilled at everything under the sun, I’m not a doctor. So let’s hope that Moby Dick didn’t mess you up too bad.” The brunette lowered her voice so her lingering monster of a boss couldn’t eavesdrop. “Man, I hope to God that I don’t get that far. I don’t think I’ve ever stayed at a job long enough to get a promotion. Or maybe I just tell myself that’s the reason because I’m truly just a horrendous employee.” 

“Hell’s bells!” A yelp left the girl’s bare lips as the thick book collided with her nearly bare foot apart from her flip-flop. “First day. Right. Nerves ‘n all, eh? I should’ve moved anyways – I’m slower’n a Sunday afternoon,” Carrie admitted before collecting her change. “But y’know, Ithink I could find it ‘n m’heart to forgive y’if there’s a good nail salon ‘round here that y’know ‘bout?

“Oh no, no! The fault is entirely mine.” Sadie shut the cash register with a ding. “Victim blaming is the plague of this generation. Please, I’m a villain who deserves to be punished.” The brunette chuckled. “Y’know, I wish I could help you, but I actually don’t know up from down around this town. Just moved here. But I’m sure if we put our heads together we could find an above-average pedicure establishment.” Sadie smiled warmly. “What about you? Were you born and raised here, or are you a Wilmington spring chicken like me?”

Knitting his thick eyebrows together to express his confusion, Phantom looked down at the clumsy female picking up a fallen book. He couldn’t help but smile softly at her. “What the hell was that for!? I was just trying to buy a copy of my favorite book and here you are abusing me!” His voice was playful, his eyes bright with a deep excitement. There was no way he could actually be upset with the other for being a klutz   especially since he was one as well. “You’ll get the hang of it eventually. My first week as an officer was the worst ever; I can’t tell you how many times I messed up the Miranda Rights.”

“Oh, you didn’t see the sign on the door?” After deciding that this mysterious customer wasn’t a threat, she found the courage to look him in the eye. “It clearly states that if you buy a book, you get abused by the world’s clumsiest cashier. Quid pro quo.” Sadie slipped Moby Dick into a brown paper bag. “An officer?” She quickly scanned herself and the area around her to make sure there was nothing incriminating she needed to hide or flush. “Well, I think you get a free pass on the clumsiness then. The law is a mightier standard to uphold than the great art of bookselling.”