Entry #674252, added on 11-01-09 @ 9:04 pm EST
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| November 1--1857 Words | Entry #674252 |
The Corner Store
The minutes passed like molasses. Rosie shivered as the cold steel of the gun barrel pressed against her side. Surely the alarm had activated. The man beside her was growing more agitated by the second. She gave him the money, why didn't he just leave? She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. About six feet, dirty blond hair, sunglasses on even though it was night. He must be on something, she thought. Where was Whit? He should have been here by now...if the alarm had worked. Then she heard the crunching sound of tires on gravel. She hoped that the radio would cover the sound from the man next to her. He stiffened suddenly, he had heard it too. Damn! He shifted his weight and jabbed the gun deeper into her ribs. If Whit didn't do something quick, she would be dead.
Whit tensed when he received the call. Silent alarm at Gandy's, possible burglary in progress. Rosie had filled in for Heather tonight. He slowly pulled into the parking lot at the far end of the metal building. The night air breathed cold down his neck. Whit eased his way down the side of the building, blending with the shadows. He peered around the ice machine and his heart froze. Rosie was being held at gunpoint by, it appeared, one suspect. She was very still but had tears pouring down her cheeks. The man appeared agitated. Whit was worried that the man might escalate in his behavior and that Rosie could be hurt or worse. Whit quietly moved back and radioed the county for backup. He waited
Chapter One
Rosie sleepily worked on clearing out the deli from the breakfast rush. Luckily it had been a busy morning. She had not been sleeping well lately and it was catching up to her. The clanging of the cowbell roused her and she groaned as Mavis Reid strode in. A woman of small stature, Mavis had a commanding presence. Flaming red hair and quick green eyes, she did not miss a trick. Her late husband had been one of the local dairymen and she was sitting pretty financially. When he had passed away, she moved into town so she could be in the thick of things. She made it her business to be in the middle of everyone else's business. Rosie always dreaded to see her come into the store.
“Morning Rosie.”
“Morning Mrs. Reid. How can I help you today?”
“Well I'll get right to it. I'm looking for Bug. Has he been in this morning?”
“No ma'am, I haven't seen him today. What has he got himself into?”
“Well he came by my yard sale yesterday and bought some marbles that were not supposed to be sold. I want them back, they are very valuable. I should just call the police on him.”
“Why would you call on him, Mrs. Reid? If they were in the sale and Bug bought them, they aren't stolen.”
“True enough! If you see him tell him I want to talk to him.”
“I will.”
The old woman shuffled out the door to look for Bug. Rosie sighed. Why did Bug always wonder into all the wrong situations? He was so sweet even if he was a little odd. She turned to finish with the deli and prepare for the lunch crowd.
Chapter Two
The afternoon wore on. After the lunch group the store was quiet with only a straggler every now and then. Rosie decided to take on some of the deep cleaning that the store needed. She located a step ladder and a buggy and filled a large bucket with soapy water. She had decided to clean the shelves. Climbing onto the ladder, she began to place items into the buggy so she had access to the metal beneath them. Half an hour later she had made progress down the first aisle.
The cowbell jangled. Rosie looked down the aisle to see who came in. One of Pecan Branch's police officers, Bobby Ray, stood at the end of the aisle. Beside him was another man in uniform. Word had been that the city council had hired a new officer. This must be him, she thought. Climbing down from the ladder, Rosie had almost made it to where the two men were waiting when her feet hit a patch of soapy water on the floor and went flying out from under her. Before she hit the ground, an arm caught her at the waist and righted her. She peered up shyly at the new officer as he released her. At least six feet tall, he had thick dark hair and dark blue eyes. His face had the rugged features that she so loved. She could feel the power of him. She smiled, he looked away.
Bobby Ray stepped between them breaking the spell. Rosie blinked.
“Need to watch what you're doing there little lady. Don't want to have to scrape you off of the floor now do we?”
“Hello to you to, Bobby Ray.”
“We're hungry. What ya got left?”
“I think there are some burritos and maybe a corn dog,” she replied.
“Give me two burritos and the dog.”
She turned to the other man. “Would you like something?”
“Not out of there,” he said.
She slipped behind the counter to wait for them to bring their purchases up front. Bobby Ray, as usual, was loading up on junk. She didn't know how he managed to stay somewhat fit. A large man to begin with, he was barrel chested with a slight pot belly. Dark, curly hair and a thick mustache, he had dark, devious eyes. Bobby Ray was rude, crude and a terrible flirt. He liked to throw the power of his badge around. She was a little afraid of him. He had been after her for years to go out with him. She always turned him down and he always told her that she would give in one day. Sometimes he seemed obsessed.
He plopped his junk on the counter. The deli food was joined by snack cakes, candy bars and pop.
“You are going to die from eating all that stuff, Bobby Ray.” Rosie told him.
“It'll be a happy death,” he replied.
Rosie rolled her eyes at him and sacked up his purchases. He moved aside as he took a candy bar out and ripped the wrapping with his teeth.
The new officer stepped up. He had bottled water and an apple. “See Bobby Ray? This guy knows how to eat.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
The man opened his water and took a swig. “Since Bobby here doesn't have any manners, I'll introduce myself. I'm Austin Whitlow. Folks just call me Whit.”
He held out his hand.
Rosie took it. A strong grip. “I'm Rosie Saunders.”
“And I'm the Tooth Fairy,” Bobby Ray interjected. “C'mon Whit. It's time to patrol the mean streets. See ya toots!” he threw a look at Rosie that she didn't quite understand and left.
Whit slid behind the wheel of the patrol car. He was grateful to have the distraction of driving. This move was not going according to plan. He took the job in Pecan Branch so he could start over. He didn't need any new complications. He just wanted to do his job and be left alone. Yet his mind drifted back to the girl at Gandy's. He was going to see a lot of her because the little store was the only gig in town. He would have to just get used to it.
Yet his mind kept going over the short visit to the store. Rosie Saunders was a pretty girl, well woman. She was most likely in her thirties. She wore her hair in a pony tail, the soft brown shown off nicely against the bright pink band. Her eyes were brown too, all soft and sweet. Shorter than he was by a good six or so inches. And she was sweet. That was the problem. There were so few really sweet girls anymore.
It had been five years. Whit had sworn that he would not allow himself to fall in love ever again. It came with too many built in risks.
“Hey Sleeping Beauty! Wake up and stop that car, it's speeding.”
And so he did.
Chapter Four
Afternoon storms washed the day away in shades of grey. People hurried to their destinations, most not taking the time to stop at the store. Rosie was bored stiff. The hands on the clock barely seemed to be moving. The rain did nothing to improve her mood.
Around three in the afternoon, Bug made his way in from the deluge. Rosie started a fresh pot of coffee for him.
“What are you doing out on a day like this Bug?” she asked.
“Just talking to the rain, Rosie. She's really got a lot to say today.”
“You'll catch your death out there!” she said while he helped himself to a cup of coffee.
“But Rosie, I had to go out. The rain called me.”
Rosie just shook her head. What could one say or do to Bug to ever change his mind? He had his way of seeing things and it was nothing like anyone she's ever known in her life. Bug believed he could communicate with nature. Literally. He often conveyed messages to the folks in town from insects, pets, even flowers. Most people would blow him off, some were even rude but nearly everyone heeded his words. Bug was rarely wrong.
He sat and nursed his coffee with hands partially covered in fingerless gloves. His long, shaggy hair hung in his grey eyes concealing their bright, curious expression. He was lean, a whip of a man, yet sinewy. Bug was kind to everyone regardless of who they were, or thought they were. Some in town treated him as if he were dumb but he was smart as they come. He seemed to know how people were feeling, sometimes when they themselves didn't even know. For all his eccentricities, Bug was well liked in Pecan Branch. Rosie wondered how Mr. Austin Whitlow would react to Bug when he met him.
“Hey Bug, Mrs' Reid is looking for you. She wants her marbles back.”
“I bought and paid for them Rosie, they're mine.”
“She said her niece sold them to you by mistake.”
“They were in the sale and I bought 'em. Why would she want some old marbles anyway?”
“Why do you want some old marbles? Just go talk to her, will ya?”
“I want them so I can share with my friends.”
“That is sweet of you Bug but your friends will know you like them anyway.”
“Maybe.”
“I'm off in a few. Wanna ride home?”
“No, Rosie. I wanna talk with the rain some more.”
“Suit yourself.”
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© Copyright 2009 Nikola (UN: nmarshall at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
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Content Rating Notice: Recommended for Readers 18 Years and Older Only
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