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I look at Cash. “I need to get my grandpa’s truck back to him.”
“If you’re able to stay for a bit, I can follow you with your Jeep.” He motions to the back office.
“Yeah, sure.” I step around the display cases and head into the back room to give them privacy. “I can help you with the purchase orders while I wait.”
“Purchase orders?” I hear Jack say as I walk to the office. “Is that what we’re calling it these days?”
As soon as I sit down at the desk, I notice an antique camera in a worn leather case sitting in the middle of the desk. Was this for me I wonder, popping open the case and pulling the camera out to inspect it. It’s an old Kodak, maybe nineteen forties, not terribly rare but still beautiful. I hold it up, wondering if it still works and open the shutter. The camera powers on, to my surprise. I bet this would take beautiful photos.
Even though the office is in the back of the shop, I can still hear their muffled voices.
“Is that how you treat all your employees?” I hear Jack tease.
Cash grumbles something inaudible.
“You do know that boss and employee relationships are frowned upon,” Jack chastises him.
“I’ve been told this isn’t Corporate America, and I have it on good authority that I’m not violating any sexual harassment policies.”
I laugh out loud but muffle the sound with my hand because I don’t want him to think I’m trying to eavesdrop.
There’s silence in the front of the store, but then I hear Jack’s voice, quiet but clear. “She’s Erin’s friend.” It sounds like a warning.
“I know that,” Cash grits out.
“And she’s only a couple of years older than my daughter,” he says accusatorily.
“I know that, too.” Cash sounds annoyed, and I can hear his shoes squeaking on the tile as he moves around the shop.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Jack asks, mimicking the same thing Grandma Jo asked me earlier.
“Don’t lecture me. I don’t want to hear it, especially coming from you.”
“From me?” Jack asks, sounding offended.
“Just because you bought Erin an engagement ring, doesn’t excuse all of the shitty things you’ve done,” Cash fires back.
Shit.I shouldn’t have heard that.
“I worked out my shit,” Jack says gruffly as if he’s gritting his teeth. “And I’ve paid the price,” he says in a low tone.
“Don’t you want me to be happy?” Cash asks, annoyed.
“Of course, I do!” Jack raises his voice.
“Well it doesn’t sound like it right now.”
“Have you worked out your baggage yet? Because writing one song with me isn’t a magic pill to exorcise her from your life.” Jack spits, accusatorily.
Her?
“Have you looked around this place lately?” he asks.
Cash laughs darkly. “Don’t pretend like you know anything. I’m not still stuck in the past if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Have you even read her journal yet?” Jack asks him. “It’s been months since I gave it to you, Cash.”
Her,again.What journal?
