Additions to Chapter Nine
Emma stood on the sidewalk outside of the book shop. The sign that read, "Hogan's Vault" swung in the wind as if waving. Her heart sank as she thought of the task at hand. The only time this shop had been closed for more than a day was when her parents died. It was this place that kept them going. Knowing that they were caring for their parents' legacy was a comfort and a privilege to them.
She closed her eyes and let the cool spring wind brush through her free flowing hair and waited for the moment when she knew she would be ready to do this. Suddenly, a hand came from behind her and squeezed her shoulder.
"You never will be." Jimmy said softly. "Neither of us ever will. But, we have to. If we don't go, we will both lose this gift forever and who knows what will happen to the crappy world we love so much!" He smirked.
Emma smiled through the tears that were welling up in her eyes. "This is it Jimmy. This store; this town. Everything we know is here; the last bits and pieces of our family. It's all here. In this town, people still remember mom, dad and Shea. They remember us as a whole family. Once we leave here, that's it. We'll just be Emma and Jimmy. This store, mom and dad's store; it's our anchor to them! When I'm in here I feel like I'm with them again. If we leave, we won't have that anymore." She forced her hands into her pockets and took a deep breath. Even though they constantly complained when they were younger about having to watch over this place, it meant the world to them.
She watched the people walk up and down the street. Coming and going in and out of stores. They walked in a variety of moods. Most of them trekked with bundles and bags, some with a litter of children dragging along at their hips. The coffee shop a few stores down was busy with its mid-morning crowd. Several patrons enjoyed their lattes and cappuccinos outside on the patio under vibrant umbrellas and discussed the troubles of their daily lives.
Emma knew every face in the crowded street. At one point or another in her life she had run across that person or family. She knew their names, where they worked or if they didn't. It was comforting this familiarity. The knowledge that you didn't have to go through the grueling process of "getting to know your surroundings" made it easier for her to come to that decision of going out and meeting new people. Now she would have to do that in a place where she truly knew no one!
"God Jimmy! Why does this have to suck to bad! I mean, I like it here!"
"No you don't." Jimmy corrected flatly. "Remember, old folks home?"
"I guess that's true."
"You're just comfortable here that's all. It's like graduating high school. You just got used to the place and then you have to leave! Everyone's scared to start college! Well, this is what this is. We finished high school, now we are packing for college! " Jimmy smiled and put his arm around her. "And it's not like this store is the only place where we can remember our family. The old saying goes, they live in our hearts and all."
"But people know us here! You know? They're gonna wonder where we went; what happened to us! I mean if we just up and leave, not knowing when we would be back, there could be some sort of missing persons investigation! Don't you think people would worry?" Emma saw a young man coming towards them and she smiled as he brushed passed. "Hey Scott." She greeted casually.
"Who the hell are you?" He answered gruffly and continued on walking.
Emma blinked in slight offense and shock as Jimmy walked towards the front door of the shop.
"See. They don't care. They never have. That's what makes this such a crap town. No body cares about anything that goes on outside their front door. And that not only includes the huge drug problem but also the constant vampire threat. If they don't ask questions then they don't have to be involved. Remember when Tommy Dickens died? Sixteen years old and star football player and they chalked it up to an animal attack! They didn't even try to name what kinda animal it was! That's why vamps like this place so much! So many useless people who 'don't want to rock the boat.'" He finished unlocking the door and opened it for Emma to enter first.
Emma stood for a moment and stared into the darkened doorway. She looked once more down the street towards the busy coffee shop and then down the other direction towards the rude young man that continued to walk away.
"Come on Emma. Let's get this over with." Jimmy coaxed.
Emma started for the door and then stopped abruptly. "Hold on." She then turned towards the young man and then yelled after him. "Hey Scott!" The young man stopped and turned back towards Emma. "Guess what, I'm moving to London!"
"So what!" He yelled.
"So… you'll still be here… looking like a ball sack!" She flashed her middle finger and then quickly walked into the book shop.
"Nice. Very clever." Jimmy teased. "Feel better?"
"Little bit. Put the sign up and let's go."
Shaking his head, Jimmy turned to the large store front window and hung a sign that read: "CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE".