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Chapter Seven
The next morning, Kylie woke with a headache. She’d been awake too long the night before. How on Earth had that conversation gone so poorly? Maybe it was because Derek had already been in a bad mood and was taking it out on her. Still not cool of him though. To take her mind off the horrible taste that particular conversation left in her mouth, she texted Brad.
I got a job at Harrington’s.
Am walking Captain every day.
Paid my speeding ticket.
She wasn’t sure if he’d even be awake in Japan, but her phone dinged almost immediately.
Congratulations on doing the bare minimum to be considered an adult.
Keep going.
If she was hoping he’d be proud and say nice things to cheer her up, she was mistaken. Clearly, Brad meant for her to prove herself in some bigger way. She had no idea what that would entail, and how she’d accomplish that in Camden, the land of no opportunities.
Sandy asked Kylie to come in to work at noon so she could learn more of the book sales side of the store. She was looking forward to another shift at Harrington’s and practically bounced down the street on her way to work in her much more sensible gym shoes, which also happened to be pink and sparkly.
Sandy was patient with Kylie learning the ropes, but she clearly had high expectations for her as well. There would be no slacking off. They covered stocking the shelves, issuing returns, inputting stock, and special orders.
“There will likely be some downtime, even after all of the daily tasks have been completed,” Sandy said. “The store is mostly quiet until the cottagers start arriving in a few weeks. If there’s no customers and you’ve finished all the other tasks, I prefer you sit on the stool behind the counter and read a book, okay?”
“Sounds perfect to me,” Kylie said. “I have a ton of reading I’d love to catch up on.”
“Wonderful,” Sandy said. “Just stay off your cellphone. This isn’t that kind of café.”
She paused, maybe waiting for resistance on this issue, but Kylie gave her a salute to say, “You got it, Boss!”
“Now before I leave for the day, I need you to run some deliveries over to Meadowbrook.” Sandy handed a stack of books to Kylie, each with a post-it note on it with a name and room number. “They’re all paid for; you just need to drop them off.”
Kylie had only ever been in Meadowbrook Manor Retirement Residence once before, volunteering at a turkey supper for the residents. It was more of a retirement home rather than a nursing home. The residents each had their own apartments, but there was also a main dining room for anyone who wanted to join the larger group for meals, as well as a games room, and a main room filled with couches and chairs and a few televisions. Most of the residents were in their eighties, not needing full-time care yet, but not wanting to live completely on their own anymore. While the place smelled of various skin creams and disinfectant, the shared rooms were sunny and lively.
She delivered the first three books directly to the customer’s apartments, but two customers didn’t answer their doors. Not knowing if she should leave the books there, she took them back down to the main room and asked an attendant to help her find the last two book lovers. The first book was a mystery thriller that was going to a man named Forrest. The attendant directed Kylie to a table where two gentleman played chess.
“Excuse me,” she said, and the two men looked up. “Are either of you Forrest by any chance?”
The man in the gray flat cap and beige cable knit sweater spoke up. “Tell me you’re here to rescue me from the utter humiliation of losing to this man for the third time today.” He held a hand to his chest.
“Well sir,” she held up his order, “I hear there’s no greater escape than into the pages of a good book.”
“Right you are!” He beamed. He gently took the book from her hands.
“Well, now he’ll be no use to me as a chess partner until he finishes that book.” The man across from Forrest huffed. Then he gave Kiley some serious puppy dog eyes. “I don’t suppose you play chess?” he asked.
“Sorry, I’m afraid I never learned how,” she said.
“Well then you’d be a good match for him,” Forrest said. “He never learned either.” The two men let out a hearty guffaw.
“I still beat you,” he said to Forrest.
“Well then, I guess it’s time for me to retire to an armchair with a cup of tea and my new book,” he said. “Thank you, uh, what’s your name dear?”
“Kylie.”
“Well thank you Kylie. I hope to see you again next week.”
“I’d like that as well, gentlemen.”
