. Leaning on the counter, I sighed. When I looked at the cloc

ittle bookshop in Astoria, Oregon, a very small town. Astoria, located on the Pacific Oc

about 5 minutes away from the bookstore, dozens of restaurants, and even a

t all times of the year. It was beneficial to our companies, but answering queries repeatedly beca

ecome one of my favorite locations the minute I walked in here the first year. Because there weren't many kids from school here, wor

it Sofia, after her daughter. She was growing too elderly to manage the business alone, so I worked for a few hours every

are. And Mom always let me come in here anytime I wanted to read. Even when I had a few

nt lack of customers, but Helen didn't appear to be. When no one came in, she always waved i

eturned slowly, patting my hand. "D

nd that I despised coming to school to see him. She had no idea about the bet, the harsh remarks, or

work and watch TV." I shook my head. For the last two and

ll of you young kids went to that t

ed' Mitch. I never enjoyed coming to places where everyone was intoxicated, the music was too loud to concentr

to puppy eyes me, which worked most of the time. Still, I despised going. I s

there and do something. Hav

and hear their opinions. I've already heard enough in school. I may seem to be un

e visiting this

re of my domestic circumstances, which was one of the

l hospital but spent most of their time in Portland at the hospital the

nt for anything, but I understood it was their work. They needed to earn a livelihood in

o aid our nation when he turned 18. So he went to boot camp and is currently, I suppose, stati

as completely alone. I've grown used to it, but living alone in a large home can

at my parents to stop leaving and taking so many shifts. Especially no

you need to

de, Helen," I screamed at her.

opened my lips to respond. I gave her a look, and she grinned

the sides and long on top. I tried not to look as he approached. I couldn't take my eyes off his

e, but I was sure he didn't attend my school. C

to a halt at the counter. They had the most beautiful eyes I'd ev

said something and was waiting for me to r

?" His lips curve

n to have The Cat

d the man to the book area, I had no idea what I was doing. Instead of di