Read Online First Person by Eddie McGarrity - Free Book Online Page B

bin.
“Big enough for a long trip, light enough to carry. Are you satisfied with the
colour?”
    “It’s
kind of navy, isn’t it? I like it.” He knocks knuckles on the suitcase’s
rippled surface. “I like the solid type.”
    “So
do I sir.”
    His
mood brightens and he starts to engage with the process. “Is it a popular
model?”
    I
examine it as I speak. “No, I believe you’re the first person to choose this
type.”
    “How
much is it?”
    I
shake my head, and use as soothing a voice as I can. “Nothing. You’ve already
paid.”
    Satisfied,
he smiles broadly at me, showing his straight white teeth. He runs his hands
over the item before smoothing down his tie. Sensing his hesitation, I decide
to get things moving again. I slide the case off the counter and hold an open
palm towards the door. “Shall we go?”
    Holding
his breath, he nevertheless agrees with a nod. I hold the door open for him. I
doubt he hears the bell and we’re outside again. It has cooled since we were
indoors and the sun is fading behind high cloud blown in from the sea. He
follows me up the street. He is blinking and looking around, but he can’t seem
to focus, his breathing is becoming ragged.
    “Not
long now, sir. We just need to find a spot.” I carry the luggage off the
ground, despite it having wheels. We are leaving the empty town behind and
arrive at an open piece of flat ground. I stop. He looks around, seeing
nothing.
    “Is
this it?” He’s not surprised, just asking me the question.
    “All
our choices bring us here,” I tell him, placing the luggage gently on the
ground. I kneel down beside it, laying it flat, and pressing the buttons which
release the catch.
    His
breath catches and I see him look around. Mist has blown in. Sea breeze reaches
up to us. From experience, I know that his view of the town is obscured by this
mist and he is beginning to feel disconnected from his surroundings; panicking
almost. Smoothly, I stand and place a hand on his shoulder. “Keep your
attention on the suitcase.”
    His
brown eyes still when I speak before moving to the case. It lies open, showing
its clean dark interior. He says to me, “There’s not much room.”
    “There’s
all the space you’ll need,” I tell him as simply as I can.
    The
mist moves again in the breeze and I hope he doesn’t glimpse the row upon row
of suitcases lying flat and closed. Sometimes they do and I must handle their
reaction. He looks at me. His breathing has stilled. “Will I dream?”
    I
don’t know the answer to this question, though I am often asked. I swallow and
nod. My hand is still on his shoulder. “Yes, you will dream.”
    I
let him go. He rubs his chin stubble again and breathes out. He steps into the
suitcase and lies down. He pulls the lid down himself, something not all
customers do. Of course, I secure the latches myself, crouching down again.  I wait
for a moment in that position and think of him. As predicted, our time together
was pleasant.
    I
tap the surface of the suitcase gently, before standing. My knees barely make
it but I’m soon upright. I pat myself down. I’ve become a little dusty and need
to make sure that I am presentable. It would not do for someone to visit my
shop and find otherwise.
    The
mist has gone and the sun is poking through the high cloud, ready to shine
again. Beyond the town, from my elevated position amongst the rows of suitcases,
I see the pier reach into the water. The ferry is returning. I head off towards
it, ready to meet my next customer of the day.

Good
Morning, Neighbour
     
    I kiss my wife goodbye.
She straightens my tie before smiling and waving at me as I walk down our path.
Our son stands to her left, still in his pyjamas. He rubs his eyes sleepily and
clutches a teddy. I smile broadly at them. I am next to my car. It is a blue
station wagon. Opening the car door, I wave again then my briefcase is on the
seat next to me. The car has started up and I am driving out of my