Read Online The Bookstore Clerk by Mykola Dementiuk - Free Book Online

right?” asked one. She had her arm around Connie and was patting her shoulder.
“I never could see what you saw in her,” said the other. “She’s evil.”
Timmy and I drifted back to the fiction aisles.
“What book was she talking about,” I asked. “I sold ten or fifteen titles, and everyone seemed pleased.”
Timmy shrugged.
“Probably that Cocksure book, but who knows? I’m sure we’ll be hearing about that this afternoon.” He looked at his watch. “Take lunch now,” he nodded. “I’ll be on the floor.” It was almost 12:30. He pulled me to an empty aisle and held my hand. “You did marvelously. I’m proud of you.” And his mouth slightly opened to meet my lips but then he shook his head, whispered, “Later,” and went back downstairs. I saw Connie and the two bookstore clerks return to their positions. I went up to Connie, who looked very frightened.
“I’ll go and have lunch now, if that’s okay with you.”
As if coming to, Connie looked at me.
“Yes, go to lunch, half an hour, you have another break at three.”
I nodded and went to the back stairs, heading down to the basement.
I thought I’d catch Ramos—I knew he took lunch around that time. But I heard loud voices from below. It was Miss Terri screaming.
“You had no right; there was a Hold sticker on it. You’re responsible.”
“Bullshit!” Ramos answered. “A Hold sticker holds the book for one week. The sticker was dated two weeks ago so I took it off and sent it up. It’s not my fault your customer came a week late.”
So they were talking about Cocksure, I grinned. He was right, absolutely goddamned right! One week for a Hold sticker, then the book went up for sale again. I could feel Miss Terri’s frustration but there was nothing she could do about it. I went down to the basement. Miss Terri looked like she wanted to spit on me but pounded back up the stairs.
Ramos saw me and did a double take.
“Eh, muchacho, just look at you.” He made me turn around and show the suit off to the other smiling stockroom boys. “Elegante,” he muttered in Spanish. “Very nice suit.” A few of the work crew looked, shrugged and went back to their jobs. I quickly noticed Danny was not around.
“You have lunch?” I asked Ramos.
He studied my face.
“You want to eat with me ?”
“Why not, we can talk, you know?”
“Very nice,” he said as we headed up the stairs.
We both agreed to have something at Dark Mocha, around the block. Not exactly a lunch place, but it had different coffees and pastries. I got a regular house coffee and a donut while Ramos wanted a dark Spanish coffee and a rich Napoleon pastry. It was nice to sit here in the afternoon with a nice man.
“How you like what they did with Danny,” he said, sipping his bitter Spanish coffee and diving into the Napoleon. “They booted him out. Good riddance, I say.”
“They what?” I said, nearly dropping my donut. “You’re kidding!”
He shook his head and slowly sipped his coffee.
“He was fired for ‘too much cursing,’ but everybody knows he calls everyone a faggot, even the bosses. Bet you that’s the last we’ll see of him.”
“Wow,” I said, shaking my head. “That’s good. I disliked that guy a hell of a lot.”
“Me too; everybody did.”
“You weren’t the only one.” I looked at wall clock hanging in the restaurant. “Still have ten minutes left,” I said, finishing my coffee and donut.
He studied me, lowering his voice.
“You like Jennings,” he said, then stared at me as I blushed. “He’s a pretty good man, isn’t he?”
I nodded.
“Good in bed?” he whispered, downing the last of the Napoleon and finishing his coffee.
Again I blushed, but nodded again.
“Better than any I ever had before.”
He smiled and patted my hand.
“I’m happy for you, in more ways then just one. It’s great to see your life changing. Anything could happen; you just have to be there.” He winked and we both got up to leave. I hurried back but he