Page 27 of Bryce

“Well?”

The phone startedringing just then and she practically snatched it off the cradle.“Just a minute please.” Cradling it against her chest,she eyed him. “Okay fine. There are several stops to be made.”

“Just tell mewhere.”

“Bryce, are yousure?”

“Where?”

Her sigh was long.“It’s on the list. Just call if you’re not sureabout anything.”

“Good. See youlater.”

She stood therestaring after him, lost in thought and completely forgetting that shehad someone on hold, until she heard the annoyed ‘hello’coming through.

*****

It amused him torealize that he was enjoying himself. The first place he stopped wasthe market where produce spilled out of large baskets. Plump oranges,tangerines, watermelons, cantaloupes, and vegetables so green that ithurt the eyes. And he was called ‘Zahra’s young man’.

He found himselfwondering what she would think of the title. He did not mind it onebit, nor did he mind the rotund Mr. Greene slapping him on the backand inviting him to take a load off and have a spot of tea and somepastries.

He was caught up onthe local gossip and learned that someone by the name of Miriam waspregnant with her fourth child.

“And not afather in sight. Poor thing.” The man hustled around thecounter to wrap up a few items for a couple before coming around tosit with Bryce. “I am just waiting for that snail of a nephewof mine to slice the beef just the way Ms. Zahra likes it.” Hegave Bryce a curious look. “You surprise me.”

“I do?”

Mr. Greene nodded hisbalding head. “A big shot Hollywood type like you sitting in myhumble store and shooting the breeze. I am surprised you are evenhere in our humble little town.” He scratched his chinthoughtfully.

“Although,quite a few celebrities have been by and are enchanted by the place.”He leaned in as if about to impart something of great importance.“There was one fellow - I will not be saying any names ofcourse, because that’s not who I am.

But this one fellowwas here for a few days and was as uppity as you please. He came intotown and would not deign to exchange a word with any of us. Thoughthe was much too good to have a simple conversation.”

Bryce noticed inamusement that the man did not even bother to wait for his responsebut simply rushed off to attend to another customer. Leaning back inthe chair, he took in the trickle of people coming in and out.

Curious looks weresent his way and a few of them even waved. He sipped tea and nibbledon tasty pastries as he waited for the order.

Mr. Greene camebustling around with the packaged meat and instructed him to comeback again. He parked the car smack in the middle of the square andchose to walk.

After the rain lastnight and this morning, the air was cold, but not unbearably so.Taking his time, he strolled along the narrow streets, took in thequiet sleepiness of the town. He made his way into several shops,picking up the things Zahra had preordered and had conversations withpeople he had only just met.

He had never felt sofree and contented in his life. It was such a simple everyday taskand one that he had never performed in his life. It struck him thathe had never shopped for himself. When he was growing up, clothes hadbeen delivered to the manor from high end stores.

He had never evenbeen out to buy an ice cream cone. Not even when he was going toschool, he had never been given pocket money. While he was away, hehad had someone living with him who took care of all the peskydetails.

When he startedearning his own money, he had seen no reason not to continue with thetrend. Besides, it had been too much of a task to simply walk into astore and pick out a shirt.

When his name hadbecome a household one, he had the thought of going out one night toget coffee and had almost been flattened by eager fans. He had notventured out again.

Over the years, themore famous he had become, the more frustrated and restricted it hadbeen. He loved acting, but the pressure, the lack of privacy hadslowly eroded his happiness.

Dumping the rest ofthe packages in the vehicle, he strolled off to buy ice cream fromthe ice cream truck. And one for Zahra as well.

*****

“Ms. Zahra.”The man’s voice came over the phone as soon as she picked upthe receiver.

“Mr. Greene, iseverything okay?” She was in the middle of baking bread and wasrushed off her feet.

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