Chapter Five: Bookland
I have to do something... anything! Or I will completely go crazy here…
After almost two weeks, it had become a fact - Helen couldn't bear the emptiness any more. The emptiness in her apartment… her room… her heart.
Every day was like the previous one, monotonous and boring. Helen would sit in front of the TV for hours until she' would get enough. Then she would eat until she'd burst.
I can't do that anymore. I need a change!
Smaller or bigger one -it didn't matter.
The only thing Helen looked forward to were nights. Her dreams were always colourful and nice, so she would completely relax and enjoy. Helen knew the dreams showed the ones she used to love once… But she also knew that dreams didn't make life… Something else did.
How about going to some classes? Karate, maybe? No... Ballet?
"Honestly, where do you get these ideas?"
Helen liked to talk to herself from time to time. It would just make an illusion she wasn't alone. The only person she would occasionally talk to was the postman when she'd need to pay bills. And Michael Sanders sometimes too, but that was only when he was not too occupied with patients and his own life. Which meant – rarely.
Then, suddenly, an idea occurred to Helen.
And… why wouldn't I get a job?
Helen grabbed the newspapers as soon as the thought formed in her mind. She frantically started to search for anything she could do.
"Group exercise leaders… nope… physical therapist… er, no… housekeeper… no, thanks… computer something something… grrr!"
She kept trying to find something that would suit her, but it didn't seem to be very easy. Almost twenty minutes passed, and she was still searching.
I'm not qualified to do any of these jobs... Or maybe I used to be, but can't remember…
"This amnesia is really one terribly screwed up thing!"
Duh! Well spotted, smartarse.
Helen skimmed through the newspapers again. Just when she wanted to throw them away, she saw a tiny advertisement asking for a worker in a small book-store.
"Bookstore! That's perfect – I love books!" she exclaimed and instantly decided to call the people who gave the add. "I could do this!"
Helen practically ran to her telephone. She quickly dialed the number that was printed in the newspapers and waited for somebody to pick up the phone.
A pleasant female voice answered. Helen squeezed the receiver hoping for the best.
"Bookland, may I help you?"
"Um, hello." Said Helen, momentarily crossing her fingers, "I am calling to check if the place for a saleswoman is still available."
"As a matter of fact, it is" replied the woman, "Are you interested?"
"Oh, yes," responded Helen more enthusiastically than she wanted to, "Very!"
The woman smiled hearing a sound of relief on the other side of the line.
"Well, if you wish, you can come tomorrow at 10 o' clock in the morning for a small conversation. Just a simple meeting."
"Of course!" Helen cheerfully said, "Thank you."
She hung up, feeling excited and happy.
I might get a job! I might get a job!
That would definitely be something to estrange Helen from her misery and a great chance to meet some people...
If I get the job, of course.
Relax, girl. Take a deep breath and go inside.
Helen stood in front of the book-shop having second thoughts. She wasn't sure if she should enter at all. It was freezing outside, but still she couldn't make herself enter. Helen shivered with cold and nervousness.
What if they don't like me? What if they find somebody much better than me?
Who knows how long she'd stay in front of the shop if it didn't started to snow. Helen wasn't dressed for show, so there were only two ways out of this situation now. To go home… or to come in…
Oh, get a grip! Where's your self-confidence? Chin up, you're going in!
Helen opened the heavy door and a lot of bells immediately jingled. She thought how it felt very nice to hear the ringing bells.
Helen looked around. Each and every one of shelves had lots of decorative strings with little Santa-Clauses and reindeers on them. Beautiful garlands and starts hung from the ceiling. The entire inside of the book-store smelled like holidays, which made Helen sure that she used to love Christmas. Besides, who could resist such wonderful holiday?
"Good day, miss. How may I help you?"
A young black haired woman , who appeared to be slightly older than Helen, greeted her. Her hair was long and curly but very shiny too. She was almost the same height as Helen and had a constant smile on her face. The first impression was that she really enjoyed life and that she was available and willing to help.
"Is there something you're specifically looking for?"
"No, but thanks a lot," replied Helen, feeling kind of guilty that she wasn't there to buy anything. "I'm actually here… to talk to somebody about… getting a job."
"Oh, I see!" chuckled the girl. "New flesh. What's your name, by the way?"
Helen wasn't sure what to answer. She didn't really even have a name, but still – maybe it was better to have a made up one, than not have a name at all.
"Helen."
"My, my! For a moment there I thought you've forgotten your name, "grinned the girl widely "And, although you haven't asked, my name's Marissa."
Helen smiled as the girls shook hands. Then Marissa turned on her heal.
"This way, Helen. Follow me."