Page 19 of Beautiful Deceit
"Hi there," I wait for her to look up and wave. "Welcome to the B. B. & B. Is there anything I can help you find?" She shakes her head no and starts browsing through the book shelves. She seems taken with the first editions.
She's still around when the clock strikes eight. I am on the main floor, having left Beau upstairs eating about fifteen minutes ago. I haven't heard a peep from him since. He still looked sad when I came down here; his expression breaks my heart.
I walk over to pull the open sign around and lock the door.
She notices and asks, "Oh, are you closing early?"
"Yeah, we have shorter hours on the weekends," I say without further explanation.
"Oh well," She says sounding put out.
"I need to do a few things, so you have a few more minutes if you'd like." She watches me move to the coffee machines and start cleaning. The clean up is familiar. It was the first job Mr. B gave me at the store. I can't use the machines, especially now, but I can still clean them.
"Do you always work in here alone?" She asks moving closer to the counter.
The hair on the back of my neck raises. That isn’t a question a customer would normally ask.
"I'm not alone," I say looking right at her. "I have a friend upstairs."
She frowns, looking up at the second floor.
"I'm about done here. Would you like to make a purchase?" She looks at the door, I follow her gaze and see a man standing just outside.
"Oh, that's my husband. He has the cash do you mind letting him in? I'd like to get this book, but don't want to use a card for a few dollars." She’s holding up a random book plucked from one of the tables.
I shake my head and make my face look apologetic, "Sorry, I can't do that. I closed the register already because we had a slow day.” I try to sound reasonable “I’ll just set the alarm and let you out. We are open tomorrow from ten till eight, weekdays ten to nine. If you’d like to come back."
She doesn't say anything, but she begins to fidget. I hear Beau making unnecessary noise as he walks down the stairs.
"Hey Samantha, everybody else should be here any minute." He shoves his hand out to the nervous woman, "I'm Beau. Are you ready for class? We have the whole upstairs empty, so there will be plenty of room to try out kicks and punches."
She takes a step back, "Ah---I was just shop-puh-ing." She ends her sentence in a stutter.
"Oh, so you’re not here for Samantha's self defense class? She's really good and has a double black belt. Put me on my ass more times than I can count. You should try it." He says seriously, her eyes take me in again, and she steps to the door.
"You know, maybe I will come back tomorrow." She sets the book down and waits at the door for me to unlock it. She shakes her head at the skinny guy still standing by the door.
I open the door then close it quickly, locking it. Beau is standing right behind me when I turn.
"What in the actual fuck!" I spew and flip the lights off, so just the accent lights are glowing, giving me a better look of the darkening street. I watch them walk down, then turn to Beau, "Double black belt, where the hell did that come from?” I’ve taken a few self defense classes, but a double black belt, hardly. “What if they wanted a fight?”
I hear the duo talking animatedly outside having stopped. They look back at the shop, before walking off.
I’m edgy and scared. My skin prickles as goosebumps start up my arms.
I turn to face Beau and scowl.
His eyes narrow, “Are you okay?” He takes a few steps closer, but I start to panic.
I back away, skittish.
"You should probably go. I need to notify the police. I'm pretty sure they were looking to rob me. I don't want anyone else getting hurt by them. This street is primarily small businesses, very few of us could afford to be robbed.” I finish a little less on edge, “Thank you for your help. I'll call you a cab, just in case they're waiting around."
He's unaffected by my speech and continues to stand in the same spot, staring at me.
"I got a good look at her before I came down. I'll help with the description." He ignores me crossing his arms over his impressive chest. He's stubborn, I'll give him that, and knowing he's willing to be interviewed by the police makes me feel a little better. Although, I had no intention of really calling the police, but rather planned to put a notice out on the local small business forum.
“Maybe I’m overreacting,” I mutter trying to back out gracefully. I don’t really want to deal with the police.
