LUKE'S POV
Me and Nick have been working in this godforsaken store for four years now. At first it was fun, something new, something fresh. Now it's just become a chore.
There's never anything new anymore, it's always same old, same old. I sigh and then continue to think: same old store, same old customers. . . It was just plain boring, tired and dull.
I just stared at the sign that said 'Welcome To Hunters Lodge'. The name of the store was chosen by old man Pete himself, Nick's uncle. He employed both me and Nick when we turned sixteen, before that Nick used to help out Pete a little. We both get paid a decent wage, which is always a plus.
Nick made his way to me with a heavy looking box."hey man, need some help with that?" I ask, about to assist him.
"Ya think?" Nick asked sarcastically.
"C'mon boys, put ya backs into it!"Pete yelled at them from the front entrance where he was closing the door to his truck.
"Uncle Pete, not helping!" Nick said, helping me to carry the box over to the counter. We both set down the heavy box and I took out my pocket knife to cut the box free of the tape that was sealing it.
Inside we found large glass jars of different dish baits. "Finally, been waitin' a whole month for those things!" Pete says, clasping his hands together behind us. He then continues by saying: "Good, cuz we've nearly gone through the whole supply of bait."
"Yeah, whatever, old man" Nick says nonchalantly.
We stacked the jars on the wooden shelves near the counter, when we finished we looked at each other triumphantly.
"Well boys, let's open up shop!" Pete said enthusiastically.
I went to turn on the flashing sign that said 'open' while Nick made his rounds around the store. I then went to the cash register, ready to start the day.
This was a mainly family run store, Pete and Nick were already related and they both considered me family. So I guess that's good enough, especially since I considered them family too.
My own family wasn't . . . Around anymore, which, at the time, devastated me. Now. . . It's just a constant dull ache, most of the time. I miss them so much, especially my little sister. . .
Tears welled in mu eyes just thinking about her.
"Sir? Can I pay for these?" An old looking lady asked pointing to a bunch of things that were resting on the counter.
"Of course Mrs. Sombertate." I said, snapping myself into work mode and getting all of her things together. "That'll be 64 dollars and 74 cents, what's the occasion?" I ask.
"Well, my grandson said he was going camping and wanted me to get him a few things for the trip." Mrs. Sombertate's grandson, William Carver, more commonly known as Carver. He was an old enemy of me and my friends, not many people liked him at all. We've all hated him ever since we met him, but with a forced smile I say: "I hope he has fun." Mrs. Sombertate looked at me with disbelief.
"I know most people don't like him, and I can't say he's my 'favourite' person in the world. I understand that he can be unreasonable and can scare people half to death. . . Now that I think about it, that boy really needs to be set straight because the things he does are wrong." She says to Luke's surprise.
"Well, let's hope someone sorts him out one of these days." I say in a neutral voice, trying not to offend in any sort of way.
"I agree with that one-hundred percent!" She says, passing me the money in cash. I give her the exact change and with that, she was off.
"So, Carver's gonna be outta town for a while?" Nick asks, having over heard my conversation.
"Seems like it." I say, shrugging.
"Thank god!" at least we won't have to deal with that dick for a bit." Nick says, sweeping the ground with an old broom. He wiped the sweat off of his brow, rushing around the store. Clearing the dust off of shelves, mopping the hallways, dusting the counter, even cleaning the bathrooms.
"Seriously! We could use some help around here! I'm gonna die of exhaustion soon!" Nick says, taking a load off in a chair next to the counter.
"Why don't ya just ask Pete about it, he might just be inclined to put up a help a 'help wanted sign or somethin'." I say looking at Nick whilst polishing family trophies that had been placed on the shelf behind me. There was so much work to do, it would be nice to have at least some help.
"Ya know what! I think I will!" Nick declares, storming off to the storage room, abandoning his post. The broom dropped to the wooden floor with an audible 'clank'.
I sighed, sitting down and rubbing my face with my hands. It was tiring, working here. It was always a relief to come home, but I guess Nick made work a little less boring. Me and Nick both lived in the same apartment, it was easier to pay for rent that way. At that moment, Nick jogged back into the room in a chipper fashion.
"What's gotten you so fuckin' happy?" I ask, since there's no one around at the moment.
"Pete said yes!" Nick said, practically jumping up and down. I could tell why, I didn't even think Pete would say 'maybe'. Nick then continued to say: "we're finally gonna have someone help us around this place." he says, fist bumping the air.
"You're such a kid!" I say, chuckling under my breath at his actions.
"No I ain't! Do kids have jobs an' apartments an' shit like that!" Nick responded hastily.
"Whatever, man." I say, shrugging him off. He goes back to his own job and am back to mine.
(5 hours later. . . )
Finally, time to close up shop, but it was only the start of the week.
"Okay brother, let's go home." Nick says, patting me on the back.
"'Kay, man. Really hope someone takes us up on that job." I tell him, trying to make conversation.
"Yeah, but people need jobs an' we're offerin' one. So I think someone will be asking' us soon, maybe even tomorrow." He replies, nudging me.
"In your dreams, who'd want this lousy job anyways?" I ask sarcastically.
"why d'ya think people even have jobs! It's all for the money now a days." Nick says, a sad smile playing at his lips. " Not like Pete, though. He loves this place like his own son."
"So he treats it exactly how he treats you." I joked, trying to comfort him.
"Pretty much, I guess." He says, going along with the joke.
"It's okay, man. You should sleep it off when we get home." I say, giving him a one armed hug as we reach our apartment. We both go to the kitchen to grab something to eat.
"I'm gonna turn in early, 'kay, man?" Nick says, washing his dish in the sink, then setting it on the rack.
"'kay." I say simply, in acknowledgement.
I stayed up a few hours longer, just looking back on some paperwork. They were from the time Nick and I went into buisness. Damn. . . What the hell was I thinking. I just, thrust the idea to Nick when I was drunk. I forced him into it. Even when I was sober, though, he just followed what I wanted with no questions asked. Even now, he looks up to me like a younger brother would. So I better be the best roll model that kid's ever seen.
After having those thoughts course through my mind, I, too, decide it's best to go to bed.