Bookseller

The world deadens them.
Or winds them up.
They come in with eyes scared…
Anxious
Sad
Combative
Cold
Unable to focus
Can you help me find what I’m looking for?
My grandfather
Mother
Sister
Best friend…
Said I should.
Recommended.
Loved it.
I need it…
To move from one sort of life to another.
To help my business, my child, my friend.
To give me peace, rest, assurance.
To escape.
Rarely, sadly, what they want is not the kind of thing I offer.
Mostly, they take the news stoically, resigned.
Like they knew all along.
Sometimes, I tell them not yet, but help’s on the way.
I see a flicker in their eyes.
Hope is not so easily destroyed as the world wants you to believe.
Most times, I tell my seekers…
Yes.
I have exactly what you’re looking for.
Follow me.
They do.
With misgivings.
Barely believing.
Not yet trusting.
We wander through…
Nature
Sports
Parenting
Technology
Finance
Mystery
History
Fantasy
Personal development
We arrive at the place and they wait quietly while I scan the shelves.
Often, they audibly gasp when I reach for it.
I place it in their outstretched hands, and for a beat they stare in wonder.
Their faces light up
The world falls away.
I can’t believe you have it!
This is perfect.
I’m so happy.
You’ve made my life.
Genuine faces, unabashed grins.
A chuckle and a shake of the head.
And, oh, the eyes they raise to mine.
Alive and full of surprised joy.
A child on Christmas morning.
I love this job.