Saviour
TK had just gotten back from his short coffee break. On two separate occasions, the redheaded man and the pretty brunette girl stopped by the bookstore without their partner and gave TK a gift card to the cafe across the street as a thank you. If it weren't for the bookstore, they would have never crossed paths, and they were ever so grateful - even if TK got off on a rocky start with the redheaded gentleman at first.
"Takeru, I'm leaving for the day, but if Cody shows up, please give him the parcel I have wrapped up by the register. Tell him it's a gift from me, in case I don't see him," TK's portly boss said.
"You got it chief," TK nodded as he watched the short man trod his way out of the store. TK walked over to the package and inspected it. There must have been something special about Cody if his boss got him a gift. His boss didn't even like to pay TK his proper wages.
"Sup lil bro," a tall, blond man strutted into the store, chewing on a lollipop.
"Hi Matt," TK sighed.
"What are you doing today?" the blond man, Matt immediately walked over to a rack of comics books.
"Same old, same old. Just another day in paradise. On the bright side, one of the regulars dropped by with a gift card for me as thank you," TK sipped at his coffee.
"Oooh, what did you do?" Matt pulled a comic book out.
"I didn't do anything. She's just happy she met her boyfriend in this shop," TK shrugged.
"Ah, I see…that's nice. But when are you gonna go out and start living your life?" Matt flipped through a comic.
"I'm fine where I am. I'm surrounded by books, they're my comfort," TK shrugged and paused harshly.
"Normally, I don't condone any sort of loitering. I rather have people know what they want and get out. And I definitely don't like people reading books in the store that they didn't pay for! There's a library for a reason," TK's boss huffed.
"Okay…," TK slowly nodded.
"However, I've grown a slight affinity for Cody. He's been coming here for years, ever since he was a child. I don't mind him. He's smart, quiet, and he buys the books when he does have the money. A respectable lad," TK's boss stuck his chest out.
"Leave him alone, got it," TK nodded.
"Exactly, unless you think he needs help! But he can stay here as long as he likes! He's a very well-read man. I watched him move on from children's fantasy, to adult mystery, but lately he's been in the spirituality section a bit. Always jumping into new worlds I guess," TK's boss said.
"I guess," TK shrugged.
"Enough of that, why don't you go ahead and put books away?" his boss adjusted the strap of his pink Fanny pack.
"Sure," TK rolled a cart of books around until he was in the same aisle as the beloved Cody. "Hey, do you need help with anything?" he asked.
"I'm fine where I am. I'm surrounded by books, they're my comfort," a lean boy with tidy sideswept hair and perfect posture replied back.
"Okay, if you need anything, just reach out," TK nodded and rolled his way back to the register, where he continued to watch the young boy. TK's mind ran rapid-fire with backstories for this Cody fellow; hopefully the true story wasn't as tragic as the ones being scribbled in TK's head.
"Hello, earth to TK. You there?" Matt snapped his fingers.
"Sorry…I was in my head again," TK sighed.
"You don't say. Everything good?" Matt asked.
"Yeah. Just tired," TK said.
"More like bored. I don't know how you haven't quit this dusty job yet. Anyways, I'm gonna go. See ya later," Matt placed the comic book on the register and left.
"Pain in the ass," TK grumbled. He put the comic book back on the spinning rack and took a quick glance at the Spirituality section. On a normal day, Cody would have been there reading a book - the title always alluding with getting over death. TK could only assume that Cody was still grieving over a loved one, but didn't have anyone to grieve with. Cody must have been a normal child once, one who loved fantasy worlds of elves, fairies, and wizards, until something tragic happened and he had to grow up fast. There was probably a reason why he gravitated to mystery, Cody was probably the kind of person who wanted to rationalise the irrationalities of a real world that continued to knock him down.
This isn't a good sign, TK thought to himself as he checked his watch. He felt his stomach sink. Cody should have been here by now. TK almost contemplated calling his boss, but what could have honestly come from this?
"Hi, sorry I'm late," Cody walked into the store.
"Hi. You don't have to apologize for anything. I'm glad you're here…," TK trailed off, noticing the military uniform Cody had on.
"As you can see, I won't be around for a while," Cody's face stayed neutral.
"I hope you have a good time?" TK immediately flinched at his poor choice of words.
"Yes, thank you. I know it's not a comfortable subject for many people, but thank you for your good wishes," Cody grabbed a couple of books and made his way to the register.
"I meant I hope it's a safe journey, god I'm an idiot," TK picked up one of the books, labelled How to Move On and Finally Live Life.
"That one in your hand was a compelling book. I suggest everyone read it if they have the chance. I wish I read it sooner, but it helped out when my grandfather passed last year. Now I'll be away, this book will be like one of my safety blankets," Cody said.
"You know what, this book is on me. By the way, that reminds me, the keeper of books wanted me to give you something as well," TK handed Cody the parcel.
"The Lion, Witch, and The Wardrobe. Wow…tell him I said thank you. I love it," Cody opened the parcel to reveal a leather-bound book.
"I will," TK smiled.
"Thank you for everything. This place was so special to me. It was my comfort while everything around me was falling apart. I don't know whether I was denying the crisis or just scared of admitting it, but these books saved me. I just hope I can make it through so I can come back here," Cody said.
"Me too. Good luck with everything," TK smiled weakly.
"Thank you. And again, thank the keeper of books for me. I have a long journey ahead of me. Take care," Cody nodded and left the store.
"You take care," TK watched as Cody made his way down the street. Once Cody was out of sight, TK drew the blinds down. He decided that maybe today was going to be an early closing shift. He hoped that one day Cody would return from his trip too.