Eleanor laughed.
“You’re probably right there, although that just means that you’re both flatterers. You have the next book that you want to get?”
“I sure do.”
She and Micah made a little more small talk, then the old man headed out, his next spy novel clutched happily under his arm. Eleanor took the quiet moment in the shop as an opportunity to work on restocking shelves. One thing she’d learned about running the bookstore for these first few months was that every moment that she wasn’t helping a customer needed to be dedicated to doing the things that couldn’t get finished while she was talking to someone.
It was nonstop. She…
Shelovedit.
Eleanor had just made her way through the science fiction and historical fiction sections when her door opened and June came in with her son, Benjamin.
Eleanor grinned at seeing some of her favorite regulars come through the front door.
“Hey there, you two,” she greeted. “How are you doing today?”
Mother and son both smiled, but Eleanor detected a bit of weariness in both their expressions… and a touch of worry in June’s face too. Eleanor caught her friend’s eye, and June subtly tilted her head in Benjamin’s direction.
Roger that, Eleanor thought. It would wait until Benjamin was out of earshot.
“Benjamin Caldwell,” she said in a serious tone that made him giggle. “Don’t tell me you have already read that book I recommended to you?”
“I sure did, Ms. Eleanor,” he said, trying to mimic her somber tone.
Eleanor pressed a hand to her chest. “But that would mean that you are aphenomenalreader.” She dropped her voice low, made it conspiratorial. “Does your mother know about this?”
Benjamin’s eyes were bright. “Yeah, I told her all about the book!” he said excitedly.
Eleanor shook her head in disbelief. “And your teacher? Does he know you are so good at reading?”
“I got an A plus in reading,” he reported excitedly.
“Well, goodness gracious. That is pretty amazing. I guess you’d better go look to see what catches your eye over in the kids’ books section so that you can keep building up those skills, huh?”
“That’s a really good idea,” he said seriously. “Can I go look, Mom?”
June gave him a look that plainly showcased all the love she held for her son.
“Of course, sweetie,” she said. “You can pick two to buy, if you want.”
Benjamin pumped his little fists. “Awesome! Thanks, Mom!”
He skittered off to the small kids’ section, which was close enough that June could keep an eye on her son, but far enough away that Benjamin wouldn’t overhear a quiet conversation… and that kids could feel like they really did have their own special space, free from prying adults.
Eleanor laid a gentle hand on June’s arm.
“Is everything okay, sweetheart?” she asked softly.
June rubbed the back of her hand over her forehead, brushing a strand of her blonde hair out of her eyes. She lookeda tad pale. Her freckles stood out a little more starkly than usual against her skin, and there were shadows beneath her green eyes.
June had been a single mother for several years, ever since tragically losing her husband, Keith, who had been her high school sweetheart. Ever since that loss, she had worked tirelessly to make sure that Benjamin had everything he needed, leading her to work multiple jobs.
June hesitated, her eyes darting toward her son.
“I think so,” she said, although there was definite doubt in her tone. “Benjamin just seems… a little out of sorts today.”
“He was a perfect sweetheart just now,” Eleanor observed.
