Page 32 of Beat around the Bush
No, Oakley. Don’t be stupid. You’re giving that back to him…eventually.
I’d seen it hanging on my coat rack every day since, but couldn’t get the nerve to wear it or give it back. I was conflicted over a damnjacket.
It’d been four days since Lennon stood above me in the hall looking every bit mouthwatering. Since then, I'd avoided him at all costs. I didn’t know what got into him thatnight, but whatever it was, it was contagious, because I’d wanted nothing more than for him to kiss me against that wall.
There was no more trying to deny the fact that I was attracted to Lennon. Seeing that primal look come over his face as he stared down at me did something to my core, and I wanted to feel it again.
But for the sake of our work environment, it shouldn’t happen again.
The bell on the door dinged, and I swiveled to see Margaret, an elderly woman who had lived in town for eighty-two years and ran the knitting club, walking through the door. She’d been in here once this week already to pick up bird seed and talked my ear off, but she was sweet and reminded me of my grandma, so I welcomed the conversation.
“Good morning, Margaret,” I greeted.
“Well, hello, sweetie. Good day so far?” she croaked.
“As good as it can get. Bit slow because of the snow, but I’m not mad about it.”
Her thin lips painted pink widened into a smile. “Can’t complain about a little quiet.”
Coming around the register, I asked, “Is there anything I can grab for you?”
She waved me off, continuing her slow gait toward the small animal aisle. “Just need some nuts for the squirrels.”
I smiled, a warmth spreading through my chest. What was it with elderly people wanting to feed the entire forest?
“Well, I’ll be up here if you need me.”
Margaret liked to do things herself. Her words the other day were, “I may be old, but I ain’t dead yet.”
As she disappeared down the aisle, the bell dinged again. I turned to greet the customer, but stopped when I saw who it was.
Scooby Snack Guy.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
“Morning. Did your puppy like the food?”
He shook the snow off his beanie before placing it back on his head. “Loved it. I’m actually here to get more if you have some.”
I nodded. “Lennon always keeps it in stock. It’s a favorite around here. I can grab it for you.”
He waved me off, just like Margaret. “I’ve got it.”
He disappeared down the dog food aisle just as Margaret reappeared, bag of nuts in hand. “I’m ready to pay, dear.”
Going back around the register, I scanned the bag after she set it down on the counter. “Are you out driving in that snow?”
She set her purse on the counter and slowly unzipped it to pull out her wallet. “A little snow never hurt anyone. Don’t worry about me. I’ve been living here for eighty-two years and never had a problem with the snow.”
She handed me cash and I counted it out, entering the amount into the register. The drawer popped open on a ding and I grabbed her change. “Do you have someone at home waiting for you?” I couldn’t help but worry about an old woman driving in the snow.
“Yes, dear. My sweet husband, Carl. He’s always waiting for me,” she replied as she slipped the coins into her little coin purse.
I closed the drawer and handed her the receipt. “Alright. You drive safe, okay? It’s slippery out there.”
She slung her purse back over her shoulder and picked up her bag of nuts. “I’m always safe. How do you think I made it to be this old?”
I smiled as she turned to head out the door, pulling her hood up with one hand.
