~J A C K S O N~

THE WEEKEND ROLLED OUT SOMEWHAT FINELY. I find myself peering at the reflector. Today I'm going to try and impress Lily so that she sees how much I really changed. I knew that she was inferring to my looks when she told me I changed but now, I want her to see me as a new hardworking individual and not the boastful jerk I was back in high school.

My skinny denim jeans rest just above my ankle as I take a step forward. Testing my blue t-shirt that hugs my physique. I leave my brown hair to rest on top of my head as I grab my belongings and stroll to the kitchen.

I grab my coat, scarf, gloves, and beanie hat, covering myself in all warmth.

Shoving my wallet and keys in my pocket, I open the fridge and peer around for something that would fill me until noon. There is nothing that would fill me so I just grab myself a creamy bagel and pour myself a cup of coffee.

Austin soon after strolls into the kitchen, wearing his usual black suit. He throws his coat on before wrapping his scarf around his neck.

Living with a lawyer can be hard work because come on, they are always trying to give you deductions about something you already know about. Well, sometimes.

Before we can start a conversation, I grab my coffee from the counter and stalk to the living room. Unfortunately, Austin follows with a fresh cup of coffee in his hand while he uses his other hand to fix his tie around his neck.

"Stop trying to avoid me, Jack," Austin warns, setting his coffee on the coffee table right in front of the flat-screen TV.

I roll my eyes, glancing at him. "Stop trying to bother me, Austin."

"I swear, one of these days you won't have a video game partner. Remember bro, I rock." He grabs his cup, gulping down a good portion of the coffee.

"I have Theodore to play games with me," I carelessly shrug.

"He's only seven years old!" Austin protests.

"So? No one said playing video games had an age restriction."

"Actually, it depends on the game!"

"Exactly, we don't play horror or violencey games!" I raise my voice.

"Violencey is not a word." He points out.

"It is, it's my word," I groan at our minor argument.

"Gee, it's cold!" Austin complains, changing the topic and sampling his coffee.

Checking the time, I strut to my feet, "I have to go, try not to speak the judge's ear off."

Though I know he needs to.

"I definitely will try!" Austin yells after me and I laugh.

He is almost the best lawyer in Quebec City and unfortunately, he has an enemy. And it's a girl who I'm sure he will fall in love with because that is what happens these days.

Canada's snow has me shivering a lot and a large number of times I bit my tongue has me foul-mouthing myself of the weather.

Luckily, the weather is not as nasty as last year. We had to close the store for the whole holiday because of how terrible the snow was falling and everyone was advised to stay inside.

Our Christmas was not wrecked but everybody wanted to play in the snow either the kids with their parents, loved ones, and their large bellies.

Arriving at the bookstore, I instantly make a move to my office. As quick as a heartbeat, or rather as quick as a baby crawling from one end to another, I close my office door and sit down on my dad's seat.

His throne.

My dad was an enormous bookworm, he cherished books so much that it would drive my mom crazy. He would give the book more attention than his wife but that's what made my mom love him more. My dad was a major romantic. He loved romance. He would try every trick in the book-pun intended-and try to use it on my mom.

I used to hate how much "Love" was filled within our home but that's what made it home. Everyone loved everyone and there wasn't a single word of hatred spoken in the household. That was just my dad's way of keeping a safe and loving environment because the outside world Is an unpleasant place.

If only people could hand out compliments and keep hate speech to themselves, the world would be a better place, and everyone's children would grow up in a safe, peaceful, and caring environment where they will be successful in the future. But of course, that would never happen because everyone has something to say, whether it be about someone they know, of someone they find a threat, yell they would hand out hate speech just because they see someone walking down the street with a different color skin as theirs.

The world has gone difficult which is why you the individuals have to build their own safe environment within their households and teach others about the terrible way people have of telling "the truth".

A knock on the brings me out of my day-to-day thoughts and hits me like déjà vu. My heart starts beating rapidly, having a feeling it's Lily but probably isn't.

I thought I was confident enough to impress Lily but I'm not. I have this odd feeling bubbling in my chest, the same feeling I had when she asked to talk with me after school. It's so scary to the point that I know she won't see me as more than just a friend from high school. Or someone she knew from high school.

"Come in!" I yell over the loud sound of my heart beating. I sit up straight, my back straight like a plank.

1, 2, 3, 4. . .

5. . .

6. .

7.

Long agonizing seconds pass and my office door opens.

I hold my breath. Please be Lily, no Linda, no Lily, oh yell, surprise me!

Linda enters my office with a clipboard and a frown etched on her features. Her long wavy auburn hair tied in a ponytail sways when she stalks closer and closer to my desk.

I honestly thought it was going to be Lily and to be honest, I had this tiny hope it was going to be her. With a sigh of relief or rather disappointment whichever you can tell, I smile a small smile at Linda who does not return it.

She takes a seat in front of my desk, handing me the clipboard. I scan over it and it honestly looks like a doctor wrote here. I never understand what doctors write down because it's like they all have the same handwriting when it comes to writing a doctor's note or certificate.

I remember when I would try and read over my dad's doctor's note, I would ask him: what are they saying there? and he would reply saying: It's a doctor's language son. My mom and I would laugh even though she knows exactly what is being said on that little paper I used to hate because it was a paper that had information about my father's well-being.

A paper I wanted to read so badly but couldn't understand but also a paper I wanted to destroy because I knew my father was an amazing fighter and we didn't need science telling us that he is going to die.

It hit home really hard and I still don't know what doctors write on those notes or certificates.

"What am I supposed to be reading?" I question, confused.

She sighs, grabbing the clipboard. "Over the past week, we have been getting fewer and fewer customers. Unfortunately, it's because a new bookstore has just opened right down the road and they have been receiving more and more customers."

Linda deciphers and my brows crease. "Are you up for a challenge?" She inquires, a clever smirk rising on her face.

I rapidly shake my head no, glancing down to the clipboard in her hand. I land my gaze back on her and I try to speak like my father would, "no competitions, Linda. We have to keep this place as innocent and welcoming as possible. If they try to compete against us, then so be it but right now they aren't a threat. All we have to do is. . ." I never thought I'd actually say this, even after a year. "upgrade the entrance a little."

Linda gasps, her hand over her heart as she probably tries to run over what I just said. "Are you seriously implying that we. . .?"

I nod, glancing down at my intertwined hands. "We just get a few things done here and there. Make it a little bit more affectionate and-"

"Your dad wouldn't want this, Jackson, and you know that." She says warningly.

Linda and my parents have been great friends for years and it would be a shame for Linda if she had to go along with this. But my dad left me in charge and whatever I say goes. Linda might be older than me but talking about what my dad would or wouldn't want from me, is a little too low.

Even for Linda.

"Yeah, well my dad wouldn't want me letting him down. He wouldn't want me to just sit back and let the store do its job. It's not only the bookshops that drive people in, it's the safe environment of this place. My dad was a great man who loved everything and everyone. Everyone loved him. What would people think about me letting this place get dust onto it, possibly get sold? I am trying to run this place just like my dad did, Linda, but I can't do that if people are no longer attending just because my dad has passed. I will try my best not to change too much, I really will."

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The day was a blur. Luckily, not too many customers had left the store but I have been noticing how little we are getting compared to weeks ago.

I haven't talked about changing this place since I rambled to Linda but I have been thinking about it. It had been on my mind for too long and having to change or move a few things around has me thinking I'm a fraud, even to my own passed dad.

I tried all day not to think about it but Linda has my mind somewhere else. "Your dad wouldn't want this, Jackson, and you know that." What if she is right? What if what I'm doing and thinking is me just letting go of my dad?

I don't want that because it's way too much. My mom is probably going through a lot, especially with Theodore. I need to check on them sooner or later. It has to be soon though.

Something I also noticed is that Lily wasn't in today. I had tried calling her but she hasn't picked up my phone calls. I didn't want to seem unusual by calling every five minutes so I just left her a text message asking her if she needed some time before she could come into work.

I, till now, have not gotten a response yet but I'm purely concerned. Not just because she is working for me now but also because she is somewhat a friend. Wait, is she?

I will just wait until she comes before I start attacking her with questions.

Linda, Amy, and I are packing away books that people have misplaced. The shelves have genres and orders so please people, put them where you found it, or else it'll confuse others.

Soft Christmas holiday music plays in the background, the neon closed sign on the door reflecting on the tiny round mirror near the horror section. I take a glance outside and smile a little. It looks fairytale-like with fresh white snow, colorful lights, and decorated trees.

My dad's favorite holidays had been Halloween and Christmas. Every Halloween he would dress as a bookshelf and would force me, Theodore and my mom to dress like books, of course as the genres we desire.

Theodore and I would choose horror and my mom would choose romance. We would dress up, matching costumes but different genres. Even though we hated the fact that we couldn't dress as we wanted, we just loved that were a family together. It didn't matter about the costumes when we got back home from trick or treating, we just shared our candy and put away the others so that we could have them every day.

Christmas was a whole different story though. We would have huge feasts and what we didn't eat, we would leave for the salvation army or to the hungry children who do not have families to spend Christmas with. Sometimes, we would stay and my dad would read children's books to them.

I didn't think it would all just be memories of when my dad was physically here. It hurts knowing that those kids probably miss my dad just as much as we all do. But I hope I can make everyone happy just like my dad did because then he would be proud of me.

"Right, we are all packed and ready to leave for our families!" Shouted Linda, smiling.

I glance from the door and inspect the well-organized bookstore. If only my office could look like that. Rest assured, I'll probably organize it in the next decade.

"Thank you so much, Amy, for staying and helping us. This usually takes us hours to fix but with you, it's amazing." Linda says adoringly.

"It's honestly no problem. I work here for a reason after all," she chuckles, grabbing her coat and throwing it on. After she is fully and warmly clothed, she grabs her purse and leaves but not before saying goodbye.

I enter my office, throwing on my own coat and scarf. Once I'm warm enough, I grab my keys, wallet, and phone. When I get to the front, Linda is warmly clothed. She follows me outside but not before locking up the bookstore.

I get into my car, Linda following after. Linda gets a lift from her boyfriend, James, in the morning when she arrives and I drive her home. I like driving Linda home, we talk about a lot of things and it's fun, she's fun. I always thought about why my parents like her so much but she's actually amazing.

When we get there, Linda invites me in for her famous hot chocolate with extra baby marshmallows, and who in the world of fairy topia would say no, because I definitely would not.

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