Thirteen Short Summers: Chapter IV

About an half past eleven I left the beach. I looked like a drowned rat on a bicycle as I rode along the sidewalk.
I didn't bother putting my dress back on, I forgot a towel so I decided to just dry in my bathing suit. Liz wouldn't allow it, but Liz wasn't here. My hair was all over my face in a big mass of curls, I didn't have a comb or a brush, so I decided to leave it as is.

Even for a sunny Monday in the summer, not many people were outside. I rode a little ways, down by the small store on the coast. I chained up my bike again and walked inside a store called Shell Heaven.
Shells everywhere! Buckets and jars filled to the rim, jewelry and picture frames.

"Hello, miss." Greeted the cashier. "Let me know if you need anything."

I walked around the store, examining the overpriced souvenirs. Everything seemed the same. Shells.
There was something that caught my eye. A clearance crate, shoved in a corner. I looked through it, carefully not to miss anything worth finding. Shells, half price. Then I found it. Under broken and old sandy shells, just waiting for me to find.

A journal. Leather bound. I flipped through the journal. Brand new. It was only ten cents. Sold.

"This'll be it for ya?" The cashier asked.

"Yes, sir." I replied. Handing him the money.

"Would you like it stamped?"

"Stamped?" I asked.

"Yes." He chuckled. "Just like it sounds. Up to ten characters."

I thought for a moment. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted it to say, but then I decided.

"May I please have My Summer stamped right on the cover?" I asked.

"Yes, ma'am. Give me a second and I'll have that ready for ya."

I sat in a chair by the window waiting for my journal. A few minutes later the cashier came out.

"Here you go." He said. "Vacationing here?"

"For the summer." I replied, admiring the beautiful journal.

"Well, I was looking for someone to run the store while I'm busy unpacking new supplies in the attic this summer. Are you interested?"

"Yes. Oh, I'd love to- I mean- after I ask Liz, but I'm sure she'll say yes."

"Alright, I'll need you Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays- Wait Liz Thompson?"

"Yes, she's my grandmother."

"I live down the street from Liz, on the end of Sixth."

"Oh." I replied, not sure what else to say.

"Well, just bring a note of approval from your grandmother tomorrow and I'll walk you through the job." He smiled.

"Okay." I replied, getting up from the chair.

"By the way, I'm Jerry Lee."

"I'm Virgina."

I walked out with my journal close at hand. I walked a little farther and got a soda to go with my sandwich. I sat on the sand, munching away.

I sure hope Liz says yes.