“…Hey,” she squeaked, her voice breaking, and I could see her hand was shaking where she held a dog-eared copy of Mason’s book.
“I’m Mason,” he said softly.
“Of course, you’re Mason. I mean, you look just like him.” She lifted the graphic novel in her hand, which held a small photo of Mason on the back of it. “Not that you have to look like this, of course, because, who knows how real things are with Photoshop and all, but I did see some pictures in the Comics Guide a few months ago, but I didn’t know when the photos were taken and you could have looked completely different by now. I mean…” she continued, barely pausing for breath. “I change my hair color like,allthe time, so why couldn’t you? And I’m really babbling, aren’t I?” She stopped suddenly and clamped her lips together tightly. “I do this. I babble. When I’m nervous. I’m Jeri.”
“Well, you want to know a secret, Jeri?” Mason asked, leaning forward on the table. Her eyes were wide, and she nodded jerkily.
“I’m nervous, too.” Her eyes got even wider at the disclosure. “Terrified, actually. I’m not really good around groups of people, so thethought of meeting everyone out there…” Mason gestured at the line of people outside the store. “…makes me kinda sick to my stomach.”
“But…” she looked him up and down, puzzlement in her expression. “But why? They… we… are all here because we like you. Like your work, I mean” she said, her hand jerkily waving at the stacks of books and artwork.
“Good question. I wish I knew the answer to it. I think maybe it’s because I’m afraid I’ll never live up to their idea of me. And the thought of meeting this many people scares me, but…” He glanced over at me as I glared at a couple of agitated and excited teens waiting in line, quelling their exuberant spirits with a look. “…a smart man once told me to take it one step at a time. One person at a time. I figure the only way I’m going to get over being scared of people, is to meet more of them,” Mason replied. “Because once you get to know most people, it’s hard to be scared of them. Take Lee over there…”
He nodded toward me, and Jeri’s eyes flitted over for a moment, her posture relaxing and her lips not quite so tight anymore. We had spent a lot of time working on the store together.
“I was scared to death of him a day ago, but today, I know he’s a pretty nice guy who is obsessed with tiny robots.”
Mason grinned at me and Jeri smiled. She had seen my Transformer collection when I’d moved it from my parents’ house to mine. “Kind of hard to be afraid of a guy who likes tiny robots,” she agreed.
They both nodded and grinned, and she shyly put her book on the table for Mason to sign. Her boyfriend, Tobi, watched us with a wistful look on his face.
“Do you have something you’d like me to sign?” Mason asked. Tobi shook his head. “No, I’m not allowed… I can’t… um…” He looked around a little frantically. Jeri had slipped over to the cash register where the twins were busy ringing up customers. Mason slipped a copy of his latest book onto the table. “I just wondered… wondered if you really believed everything you write.”
Mason looked up at the kid solemnly and nodded. “I do believe what I write. Was there something specific you were interested in?”
“You write about God and souls…” the kid said, his voice trailing off.
“Yep, I believe we have souls,” Mason answered.
“Do you believe in God? Or some Higher Power? Do you think souls can really go to hell for eternity?” he asked Mason earnestly. “I mean, people hurt… um, kids… and stuff. Abuse them. How can a Higher Power let that happen?”
Tobi looked so serious, so intent as he spoke to Mason. I made a mental note to talk to Jeri about Tobi’s home life.
“What’s your name?” Mason asked.
“Um, Tobi…” the kid said, his eyes wide.
“Hi Tobi,” he said, smiling. “I don’t know if I believe in God, but I do believe in a Higher Power.”
Mason wrote something inside the book and handed it to Tobi.
“I don’t have any money…” Tobi started, and Mason waved him off.
“It’s a gift,” Mason said, smiling.
Tobi read the inscription, his eyes flashing back up to Mason’s, some kind of connection apparent there. It was like one old soul recognized another.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Mason just nodded solemnly.
Jeri came back over and the two took turns taking selfies with Mason before heading out and letting the next set of customers in.
As Mason continued to sign autographs for people, I asked Tobi if I could see what Mason had written.
In neat, even handwriting, I read the inscription. “For Tobi - Keep believing in a Higher Power - because the Highest Power is Love. Given enough time and effort, our souls will escape whatever hell we find ourselves in.” I watched as Tobi clutched the book to himself like a lifeline as he left.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. We stopped counting people when we got over two hundred. Mason handled it all like a pro. If he hadn’t told me of his fears, or if I hadn’t seen him in the car, I would never have guessed he struggled with anxiety. I kept a close eye onhim throughout the day though, a couple of times calling for breaks when I thought he might be reaching his breaking point. I walked him out back to give him a break from the crowds, but after a few minutes he was always ready to head back in.
