Gilt by Lee Geneva

Author:Lee, Geneva [Lee, Geneva]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Estate
Published: 2023-01-31T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

A bell over the door tinkles as I walk inside the shop. Nostalgia surges through me, not just because the store is full of crap but because I spent most of my life calling it home. There were times when I slept on a cot in the back with Becca. I’d been working off the clock since I could count in order to fly under child labor law regulations. I used to consider myself an integral part of keeping this place functioning, but now I know I was just a Band-Aid. I can’t spend my whole life being the glue that holds my dad together, and this is the first place I need to let go of if I’m going to send him that message.

Jerry pauses from rearranging a display of Civil War-era pistols and glances up to greet his customer. His joy is instantaneous when he realizes it’s me. I’ll bet he’s been waiting a long time for his lunch break. He hurries out from behind the counter to greet me, pushing his floppy hair out of his eyes.

“I was wondering when you would be coming back.” He goes for a hug, and I let him, patting him awkwardly on the shoulder as he squeezes. “This place isn’t the same without you.”

I’m pretty certain that what he means is paychecks are irregular, deposits aren’t making it to the bank on time, and he’s stuck here all hours of the day. But I’ll take the compliment.

“I just popped by to grab something.” There’s no way to soften the blow, so I don’t try.

The smile falls from his face. “Oh. I thought you were home to help for the summer.”

“My Mom doesn’t want me working at the shop, because of…the accident,” I lie.

Jerry lets out a long whistle. “Do you think that’s wise? I don’t know how we’re going to keep this place running.”

We’re not.

“I’m sure dad will make sure everything stays on track.” I sidle past him towards the cash register. He watches me with interest, but he doesn’t try to stop me. I’m not here for money. I doubt there’s any to speak of, anyway.

“We both know that isn’t true, Emma. He can’t keep this place up without you.”

Apparently, Jerry managed to grow some balls while I was away in Palm Springs. I’ve always pegged him as more of a ‘take it and like it’ type. The kind of guy who spends his nights in one of those scuzzy little hole-in-the-walls getting spanked by a woman in leather. I open a drawer and dig until I find the business card I threw in here a couple weeks ago, slide it into the back pocket of my cut-offs, and close the drawer.. Jerry deserves better than to be lied to, especially after all the years he’s put into this store. “You’re probably right, but I can’t spend the rest of my life holding him up.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” he says in a soft voice. “You’re too young...and pretty,” he tacks on awkwardly.

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