The box of books I’m carrying falls and the books spill over the carpet.
Marcus glares at me from behind the counter.
I glare back before bending to pick up the books.
“Can you help me?” A girl asks me.
She’s wearing jean shorts and a green tank top.
Her brown hair is picked up in a pony tail.
“Sure.” I say standing.
“I’m looking for this book.” She hands me the piece of paper with the title on it.
I have no idea if we have it or not.
“Umm.” I say.
Nonfiction, second row, top shelve.
I look at Marcus then back at the girl.
“Sure. It’s right over here.”
I lead her over and it’s right where Marcus said it was.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So are you working here for the summer?” She asks.
“Something like that, yeah.”
“Where are you from?”
“Oh, uh. Madera.”
“Cool. You know for the summer the city is playing movies at the park.”
“Really? Must be nice.”
“Yeah, it is. Do you want to go with me on Friday?”
“Well, uh.” I say.
I look over at Marcus but he’s either not paying attention or pretending not to be paying attention.
“Sure.” I say.
Her blue eyes crinkle when she smiles and her white creamy complexion blushes a little.
“Okay, great. What time do you get off work?”
“At six.”
“Then I’ll meet you here and maybe we can go get something to eat before?”
“Yeah. That sounds nice.”
“Oh, my name is Hannah.”
“I’m Matt.”
“I’ll see you here Friday Matt.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye.”
She walks over to Marcus and buys the book then waves back before leaving.
After we close, I help clean up and then we walk home.
Marcus is quiet a lot.
I stare across the street at the open shops.
“I’ve noticed that people usually make plans to go out with other people they don’t know. It’s not a good way to stay safe.”
I look at Marcus but he’s not looking at me.
“If we don’t ever talk to strangers then we won’t make friends or find someone to love.” I say.
“But you don’t like to talk to strangers.”
“Well, no.”
“Then why did you say yes to Hannah?”
