Only I’m wrong because the bell above the door rings and rings and rings, as I put things into the small cart. I get sad smiles and frowns as I go through each aisle and have to hold back the eye rolls. I feel like I’m being stalked and hunted by gators the way they’re looking at me.
“Hi,” the young man behind the register says when I get there.
“Oh, hi,” I say, happy to see someone my age.
His hair is dark and messy, his eyes bright blue. He’s much taller than me; with the kind of tan you only get from being outside every day.
“You’re Daisy, right?” he asks with a crooked smile.
“Yep, that’s me,” I say, putting my items on the counter one-by-one.
“I won’t bother you with nothing,” he says. “I bet everyone else already has.”
“Just about.”
“It is nice to see someone about my age though. How old are you?”
“Funny, because I was just thinking that.” I pull out my wallet. “I’m twenty-three. How about you?”
“Just turned twenty-one last month.”
“I don’t recall seeing you when I visited Grannie?”
“Naw, I only just came up to live with my grandpa a few months ago to help out since he’s getting up there in age. That’s why I’m running the register.” He taps the side of it and grins.
“Oh, well, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s fine. Wasn’t doing nothing else with my life. At least I can help him out.”
“That’s nice of you.”
He rings up the last item. “That’ll be sixty-three dollars and eighty-five cents, Miss.”
I give him sixty-five and put the bags in the cart as I wait for my change.
“You know, we are starting a delivery service, if you’re interested?” he says, offering me my change.
“You are?”
“Sure are. I suggested it to Grandpa. Said I could give it a go. Thing is, I can’t deliver until the store closes, sodeliveries will get there around seven or eight. We close at six. A lot of the folks around here are in bed by that time, but I figure you may be up a little later.”
“I’m definitely a night owl. So how does this work?” I ask.
Charlie comes up and I move out of the way so he can put his few items on the counter.
“Here, I’ll give you a flier.” He reaches beneath the counter and hands it over. I glance at it quickly and read over instructions on how to order.
“This is very convenient. Thank you.”
“Of course.” He starts to ring up Charlie’s items. “Name’s Devin, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Devin.”
“How about you go put those in the truck, Miss Daisy?” Charlie says, then leans in closer. “While the ladies are still wandering around the store trying to look busy.”
I laugh as I head out the door, waving goodbye to Devin.
Chapter Four
