Sammy
The fluorescent lights of the bookstore hummed, a stark contrast to the cozy, comfortable atmosphere Sammy usually found within its towering shelves; at 23, Sammy had learned to carve out her own little sanctuary in the world, and this place, with its quiet corners and comforting scent of aged paper was it – she was shelving books, a task she usually enjoyed, but today there was a knot of anxiety that tightened her stomach.
She’d noticed him earlier, a man browsing the history section; harmless enough, but then she felt his gaze on her, it lingered, and Sammy’s heart began to pound; experience had taught her that prolonged stares rarely led to anything pleasant – she braced herself, expecting the inevitable taunts, the sneers; the casual cruelty she had become accustom too.
He approached, and Sammy instinctively shrunk back, her hand tightening around the book she was holding – he was taller than she expected, with kind eyes and a warm, genuine smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Excuse me” he said, his voice a low rumble “I hope I am not bothering you, but I have been meaning to ask; would you like to go out sometime?”
Sammy blinked, her mind struggled to process his words; ‘Go Out’ as in…, with her, it had to be a joke, a prelude to some humiliation that she always anticipated – swallowing hard, she managed “You…, you do know that I am trans, right?” the words felt clumsy, inadequate, but she needed to be clear, she needed him to understand what he was potentially signing up for – the baggage, the prejudice
The smile didn’t waver; if anything, it seemed to soften “Yeah” he nodded “I know” there was then another pause as he looked at her before then repeating, his voice even warmer “So, would you like to go out sometime Sammy?”
The use of her name, the gentle sincerity in his eyes – it was disarming, Sammy felt a strange flutter in her chest, a sensation she hadn’t experienced in a long time – hope “I…, I don’t know what to say” she stammered, her cheeks flushed
He chuckled softly, a sound that eased the tension in her shoulder “Say yes?; or, tell me I have terrible taste in books and should stick to the historical fiction” he gestured to the warn copy of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ that Sammy had in her hand
Sammy finally allowed herself a small smile “You have surprisingly good taste” she admitted “And.., yes…, I would like that; to go out sometime”
Relief washed over his face, his smile broadened “Great; how about a coffee tomorrow after your shift”
Sammy nodded, a genuine smile was finally gracing her lips; maybe, just maybe – this could be something real, that she might have found a little bit of happiness amidst the towering shelves
Written By: Westley H.
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