Page 27 of Grimoires & Glamoury

A couple of days later, I had Kathleen working in the back room on my computer, inputting all the new titles and their prices into my point of sales program. She flew through the list of titles. I’d never seen someone who typed as fast as she did and told her so. My comment earned me a big smile and a cackle of laughter.

“Sweetie, I first learned to type on a manual Smith Corona typewriter, and it was aqua blue.”

“Really?” I asked, charmed at the idea.

“I eventually graduated to an electric typewriter,” she said, straightening her cat-eye, leopard print computer glasses. “Back in the early 80s, we all had to take typing classes in high school.”

“You are so skilled,” I said. “I bow in your general direction.”

“As well you should,” she replied. “Now, do you mind if I dive into all of the old community notes from the monthly meetings, and the information about the Witches Ball from last year?”

“Sure.” I reached over her, took the mouse, and opened up the appropriate files for her.

“Are there physical copies of these notes?” she asked, scanning the screen.

“Not that I know of,” I said. “Shelby used to email everything, and I typically saved it in one file on the computer.”

Kathleen cracked her knuckles. “Give me a couple of hours and I’ll have this all organized and a report generated for you.”

“Make a second copy of the ball notes for Dex, please,” I said. “He’s on the Witches Ball committee with Ruth now. He’s going to need the information as well.”

“I’m on it.”

With a nod I left her to it and went back to the front counter. Once Taylor and Toni arrived at eleven, Dex ran out to go get everyone a coffee and I stayed at the front counter.

Kate and Circe, my retail neighbors, walked over together. “How’s your new employee doing?” Kate wanted to know.

“Kathleen’s blowing right through any office task I give her,” I said proudly.

Circe smirked. “I can hear her banging away on the keys from out here.”

“She told me she learned to type on a manual typewriter.”

Kate chuckled. “That explains it.”

Circe walked to the doorway and stuck her head in the door. She returned back to me with a look of awe on her face. “Holy shit, she types fast!”

“Any news on Shelby and Sawyer?” Kate asked quietly.

“None,” I said. “If I hear anything I’ll be sure to let you know.”

“Dex and Ruth are going to put the deposit down on the venue for the ball this afternoon,” Kate said. “I think he’s really enjoying working with Ruth on this.”

“He is,” I agreed. “It’s good for him to take a more active roll in the community.”

The cousins went back to their own shops, and Dex arrived a short time later with two trays of drinks. He dropped off Circe’s coffee and Toni’s soft drink, Kate’s tea and Taylor’s latte. He handed me my mocha and placed his matcha on the counter.

“Dunno how you can drink that stuff, Mr. Fitness,” I said, as always.

“Matcha is nutrient dense and rich in antioxidants,” he said patiently.

“Smells nasty, though.” I wrinkled my nose at the bright green drink.

He rolled his eyes at me. “Be right back.” He chuckled and took the final drink—a strawberry and banana smoothie—back to Kathleen.

The typing paused for a moment, probably long enough for Kathleen to take a sip, and then renewed with a vengeance.

Dex closed the door to the backroom behind him as he exited. “I know that I’ve mentioned it to you before, but I really like our new employee.”