Sammy 3
Find Part 1 & 2 Here:
- Overcoming Anxiety: Sammy’s Bookstore Moment – Part 1 / Sammy 1
- The Importance of Feeling Seen: Sammy’s Story – Part 2 / Sammy 2
Sammy hummed a cheerful tune, a melody as bright and bubbly as the fizzing lemonade she had shared with Mark the previous night from the second date; the memory of his easy smile, the way his hand had brushed against hers as they reached from the same book – it sent a shover of delight down her spine.
She pushed open the front door of the bookshop; its bell jingling above, a welcome that echoed her own newfound optimism – the familiar scent of old paper, leather and a hint of brewing coffee enveloped her, a comforting hug after a night of dreaming possibilities.
“Morning Sammy” Mrs. Gable – the owner, greeted her from behind the counter, her spectacles, perched on her nose “You’re positively radiating today; something good happen?”
Sammy felt her cheeks warming, blushing – she fiddled with the collar of her floral blouse “Just…, a good nights sleep, that’s all” she mumbled, hoping to deflect further inquiry, she wasn’t quite ready to dissect every detail of her date with Mrs. Gable just yet
“Well, good for you dear” Mrs. Gable chuckled – her eyes twinkled “Now, Mister Abernathy is here looking for that obscure history book he’s been hunting down for months; he’s in the local history section, muttering about the Crimean War”
Mr. Abernathy was a regular, a man as eccentric as the collection of antique maps he hoarded; he was also notoriously particular, often, he spent hours poring over texts, only to decide they weren’t quite what he was looking for.
Sammy braced herself with a smile and headed towards the familiar labyrinth of shelves devoted to local and world history; sure enough, there was Mr. Abernathy – a small bespectacled figure, almost swallowed by the towering stacks, he was muttering to himself, his brow furrowed in concentration
“Good morning Mister Abernathy” Sammy said; her voice bright and cheerful “Anything I can help you with today?”
Startled; he jumps, nearly knocking over the precarious stack of books “Oh…, Sammy” he said with a deep exhale “You scared the life out of me” he smiled “I’m trying to find an account from a common soldier’s perspective; but all these books are filled with highfalutin generals and strategic manoeuvres – what I want is the muck and grime, the fear and boredom”
Sammy supressed a smile; Mr. Abernathy was nothing if not consistent “Understood” she said “I think we might have something that fits the bill – let me go and check the back”
Sammy disappeared to the back room; a space filled with stacks of unsorted books and a lingering scent of dust – Sammy began to rummage through the various boxes, but her mind started to drift back onto Mark’s smile, a smile curved her lips as she felt her cheeks warming up.
She then realised she’d spotted something that might just be what Abernathy wanted – a slim, leather-bound volume tucked towards the bottom, it was a collection of letters written by a British soldier during the Crimean war, they’d been discovered in an attic and recently donated to the bookstore “Ah” she said with a smile
Returning back, she approached Mr Abernathy “This might be exactly what you’re looking for” she said, handing the leather-bound volume over to Abernathy “It’s a collection of letters; they were written by a common soldier; raw, unfiltered and more than likely filled with all the muck and grim you want”
Mr. Abernathy’s eyes widened; as he took them with reverent hands – turning pages carefully, his excitement was building “Good heavens!” he exclaimed, his voice excited “This is it; precisely what I have been looking for!”
Sammy watched as he settled into a nearby armchair; completely engrossed in the letters – a small smile played on her lips, this was one of the things she loved about her job, being able to connect with the stories they sought.
Suddenly, Mr. Abernathy let out a sharp gasp; he looked at Sammy with a mixture of shock and amusement “Good heavens” he said with a shocked tone to his voice “This soldier…., he…, well…” he held a nervous smile “He was having an affair with…, a…, uh…, hm” he could see Sammy’s confused expression forming
“Uh….” Sammy mumbled, her face a picture of confusion – but, she suspected he wasn’t sure what to say, almost as though it could hurt her feelings “Another soldier?” she queried
Mr. Abernathy smiled giving a slow nod “Indeed; and something about lettuce….”
Sammy blinked “Lettuce?”
Abernathy again gave a slow nod; his face now flushed “Apparently so…., unusual companion choices”
Sammy scratched her cheek gently as she tried to work out if there was some secret code there; though, she started to giggle after a moment “Well…, I suppose you have at least found the muck and grime you were searching for”
Letting out a slight chuckle, he nodded his head “Indeed I did” – as Mr. Abernathy continued to read, he occasionally let out a snort of laughter, or a gasp of astonishment; Sammy, meanwhile – she returned to her duties, tidying shelves; organising and dusting things down, but she couldn’t help but glance over to Mr. Abernathy from time to time, amused by his reactions.
The morning seem to fly by; filled with the usual quiet bustle of the bookstore and occasional unexpected drama; as lunch approached, Mark arrived – walking inside the shop with a grin as warm as Sammy remembered.
“Hey” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners “Thought I would see if you wanted to grab some lunch”
Sammy’s heart seemed to flutter “I’d love too” she said; a smile that mirrored his
As they walked out of the bookstore; they left Mr. Abernathy still engrossed within the letters of a developing love story; Sammy, she felt a surge of pure, unadulterated happiness – the previous night had indeed ben a goodnight and today a third date was on he horizon, life seemed to be improving.
Written By: Westley H.
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