This One's Gonna Hurt by Cody J. Thompson

Author:Cody J. Thompson [Thompson, Cody J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Published: 2023-03-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

Richter’s Liquor was a small and sketchy liquor store that sat on the corner of Hyde Street. Known for its cheap prices on high octane bottles and cans, it was a favorite for folks looking to get tossed without breaking the bank. It also had a reputation for serving underaged high school kids, when the right - or wrong - person was running the counter. A red and yellow overhang with the words “Richter’s Liquor” printed graced the small storefront and shooting out towards the street was a neon sign with the word “LIQUOR” beaming in dull yellow. The windows were covered in signs advertising the cheapest 12-packs in town as well as various neon beer and booze signs and posters.

Valerie and Jenna rolled up to the shop in a Gray Prius Uber. The inside of the car smelled of days old incense and stale food. Probably from delivering to hungry locals via the many food delivery services that operated within the city. Techno music blared through the speakers, as though the driver was in a world all his own. He drove down Hyde Street and turned right onto Union, parking against the curb, directly in front of the liquor store.

“You two need me to wait for you or anything?” The driver asked.

“If you don’t mind,” Jenna said. “We’ll only be a minute or two.”

“Not a problem. Take your time.”

The girls exited the car through the passenger side back door and made their way into Richter’s. Inside was decorated and set up like your typical sketchy, neighborhood liquor store. Racks and racks of candy and snacks in the front, followed by even more racks of cheap wine and stacks of warming beer. All the spirits were housed safely behind the counter, along with cigarettes, chewing tobacco and a wide variety of colorful plastic tubes filled with nicotine vape juice.

They entered through the heavy glass door lined with chipped metal, as a bell on a string bounced off the glass, sending dull chimes throughout the air. Standing at the register was an older man who looked lost as he prepared to have his items rang up by the clerk.

“Come on,” Jenna instructed. “He won’t sell to me if anyone else is in the store. We need to wait for that old dude to beat it.”

They immediately turned right down the first aisle, passed the red cooler filled with ice cream bars as they headed straight towards the back of the store. At the back, they stood in front of one of six glass doors that opened to the refrigerated alcohol, beer and various malt liquors.

“So, like I told you. I’m buying so pick out whatever you’d like. Anything that might make you happy. What are you thinking, huh? What would you like to wet that whistle of yours?”

Valerie thought for a moment, admiring all the cheap, warm and close to expiring options that rotted away on the shelves.

“I think I want a 6-pack of Anchor Steam. It was my dad’s favorite beer.

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