Alexander flung himself down in the chair behind the counter and glanced around in the pet shop. The only costumer had been an old lady buying food for her cats, which had given Alex plenty of time to re-stock the shelves and order new material.

A magazine rested in his lap together with a coffee mug beside him. These days his summer job was amazing, sure, it didn't privide a lot of money but it was enough.

Alex was woken from his day dreaming by the door opening, and the familiar tone that followed. He hurried up from his comfortable chair and took place to serve the costumer that had come in. "Good morning, sir! Is there something I..." The costumer didn't answer, but instead hurried to the back of the store. Alexander thought he heard him sob. He had seen this man a lot of times, it seemed to Alex that he came here when he was sad, and often he sat in front of the turtles' terrarium. They had never talked or even met each others eyes, but Alex had to admit the man had gotten his attention.

He guessed they were about the same age, in their twenties, other than that they weren't very like. The other man was tall, slender and with skin of a soft brown. His hair was almost always held back in a tight pony tail that created a poofy cloud of dark chestnut hair that wobbled when he walked. Alexander could hear him from inside, it sounded like he tried to muffle his cries.

He concidered his options for a minute before he decided what to do. He had always had reasons not to talk to the man, but now he couldn't find any. A bit nervously he flipped the sign on the door to closed. A dim light shone upon the man, creating a scene that broke Alex's heart a little: He sat on a chair before the glass terarrium, back arched and head in his hands. He sobbed.

Alexander advanced carefully not to scare him, he felt like he witnessed something private that wasn't made for his eyes. For a second he considered going back and pretend like nothing had happened, but finally found his words: "Sir... Are you okay?" his voice was gentle, but enough to make the man jump. He dried his nose, coughed and tried to swallow his tears.
"I'm only looking, I should go anyway." He excused himself and got up from the chair, Alex felt as if he didn't control his own body as he approached the man, grabbed him by the sleeve and said:
"I can see you're sad, what's wrong?"

The man shook his head and looked away, his eyes red and puffy, and he whatched the turtles.
"I used to have one of these, but she died not long ago. I know it sounds ridicolous, but she had great meaning to me, I got her from my father when he died. Looking at them makes me remember them both, that's why I go here." He laughed a little to Alexander's surprisement.
"I'm really sorry." He said in lack of words.

For a while the two just stood and watched the turtles. Alexander actually found them very sweet once he really paid attention to them. Some time later he heard a sigh from the man next to him, and he turned around.
"Thank you, honestly. I'm so greatful. My name is John."

Epilogue.

Two weeks passed without any sight of John in the store. Alexander thought about him from time to time as he fed the turtles, or even just glanced back in the store. He always expected to see him sitting there.
It had been a long day with loads of costumers with cmplicated problems, and Alex couldn't wait to get home and take a well deserved shower. Once again he heard the door open and sighed to himself.
"Welcome, what can I help..."
"Hi."
Alexander looked up and smiled.
"John!" He exclaimed and his heart skipped a beat. The man in front of him looked nothing like Alex remembered him, he stood straight, looked happy and even his hair shimmered vaugely.
"I expect you're here for the turtles?" He smiled and searched for his keys.
"Actually," John said and caught his eyes, "I'm here for you. What do you think about a dinner?"

Alex felt himself blush, and his legs turned to spaghetti.

"That would be nice."