Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“Not finding what you’re looking for?” someone chirps.
I glance over to the store clerk who’s standing down the aisle, watching me.
“You have a cat?” I blurt.
“This is a hardware store, ma’am.” He smiles at me like I’ve got jokes or something. I should steal the little black cat that keeps coming around. I can’t though, because then I’ll be the cat lady who steals cats, too.
“I know it’s a hardware store.” I mean, I drove here. Of course I know where I am. Why is he being so weird? Or am I the one being weird? I glance around to see if anyone else is looking at me. This is why I don’t go out in public often. I have a quirky personality, and my sense of humor isn’t for everyone. I always get awkward and nervous when I’m out. It’s a big reason why I’ve avoided Satan Claus, or SC for short, also. I don’t want to show him my weakness. I’d rather him think that I’m rude than know I’m socially awkward.
“Is there something I can help you find?” The clerk raises his eyebrows at me now. Oh crap. My lights. I’m here for lights.
“I need these.” I pull out a piece of paper and show him the exact lights that I need. When I went online, it said they have them in stock. I quickly checked, because I didn’t want to make a trip for nothing.
“We’re out of those, but I do have these.” He points to some gaudy rainbow lights.
I gasp.
“What’s wrong with you?” I stare at the horrendous lights. I should get them and sneak out and put them on my neighbor’s house where they belong. That thought brings a smile to my face. I think Laura would approve of this plan. It would be like I’m toilet papering his house but with Christmas. I’d be spreading the Christmas spirit. Isn’t that what it’s all about? I wish I could do it, but I’m all talk and don’t actually think I’d have the balls to. I’d most likely chicken out, and I’m almost positive he’d know it was me that did it. Plus, I need to focus on my own house’s lighting situation.
“There is nothing wrong with me.” The man stands up a little taller, straightening his red vest.
“I want these lights.” I wave the paper. “It said you have them in stock.” I look at my watch. “Twelve minutes ago.”
“We haven't had them in stock for days.”
“Are you calling me a liar?” I take a step back.
Like a magician he pulls a tablet out and starts clicking away. He holds up the screen to show me the little banner that now states the lights are out of stock.
“That wasn't there!” I try and grab the tablet to get a better look, but he pulls it away from me.
“They have been out of stock for days, and we won’t be getting any more in. The company stopped making them.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This keeps getting worse by the second.
A page over the PA asks for someone that works in customer service to come to the front desk.
“I’m sorry, but these are the last lights that we have in stock,” he says to me while pointing at the trashy lights that are on the shelf. “I need to get up front, if you don’t need anything else, ma’am.”
“I need these lights.” I hold the paper out to him in a last-ditch effort.
“Why don’t you come to the front desk with me, and I’ll double check the main computer to be sure?”
“Fine.” I follow him down the aisle and head toward the front desk. I look at some of the things as we pass, getting sidetracked as we go along.
“Brendan, it’s good to see you,” I hear the clerk say.
I know without even looking that he’s talking to my enemy neighbor. I can feel his presence. I close my eyes and pray that I’m wrong.
“Hey, Carl. It’s always good to see you.” I glance over to see them shake hands. He is wearing a strange smirk on his face.
“You here to pick up your order? I have it right here. It’s a lot of lights. We’re excited to see your display this year.” The now-smiling clerk places a significant amount of boxes on the counter. “Need help getting all this to your car?”
I gasp when I see the picture and description on the side of the box.
I’m not a violent person, but I’m going to murder Satan Claus and wrap him in the icicle lights that he stole from under my nose.
5
BRENDAN
She sputters for a bit, her big green eyes focused on the boxes Carl continues to pull from behind the counter.
“This going to be it for you, Brendan?” He pats the large stack.