Safe

chapter 21

After calling in sick to work for the past three days to take care of Harry, I decided I needed to go back. I'm good friends with book shop owner and she said it was no problem to stay home again, but I couldn't have done that to her.

I told Harry I'd visit him after my shift is over, but I couldn't stay, I had dinner plans with dad. Liam has been a great help to us. Harry refuses to go seek proper medical attention, which also means he can only take store bought medicine and that his healing time will take longer than if he were to see a doctor. As for me, I'm clueless on what to do for him. Liam has popped by once every day, and is always on call if I have a question, but today I figured I should let them catch up again and hopefully they'll be able to do it without alcohol this time.

"Harry, Liam's here!" I called.

I opened the front door for Liam and let him in. I have him a quick hug as well. Him and I have become good friends over the past five days. He's quite funny, and someone I'd never expect Harry to be friends with.

"Oh, Harry? I'm taking your car to work."

I heard the rough slide of a chair before there was uneven stumbling. I assumed Harry had tried to come out of the kitchen quickly but his ribs and thigh just weren't having having it.

A head of curly brown hair appeared from door frame of kitchen and a glass of water in one hand.

"You're not taking my car." He said sternly.

"Why? I've driven it once, and you can't use it until you heal."

"I am healed."

"Then show Liam your bruises and let him be the judge of that?" I smirked.

I handed Liam Harry's glass of water and started to carefully peel off his shirt. He winced and gasped as I pulled the fabric completely over his head. His bruises and cuts were now on full display, and they were not a pleasant sight to see. I looked back over at Liam and he was smiling slightly and shaking his head.

"Mate, you're not healed." He chucked.

"Shall we show him your thigh?" I asked.

"No, he's seen enough."

"So where's your keys?" I smiled.

"On the dresser." Harry grumbled.

When I came back from getting his keys, they were still talking in the hallway. Liam was trying to stifle a laugh and Harry was glaring at him.

"Well boys, I'm off! See you after work." I smiled.

I gave them both a quick hug, and Harry a small kiss on the lips. I thanked him for letting me take his car. I knew it was hard for him to see someone drive it.

***

"Rae, can you get the box in the back labelled 'Old Books' and place them in the front of the store with a sign that says 'Half Off'?" Danielle, the shop owner asked.

"Sure."

The storage room was my least favourite place in the whole shop. It was dark and dimly lit. The last time I had to get a box back here, I was met with a spider about the size of my head. Now when I come back here, I take the nearest object to me. Which today, it happens to be a broom.

The box was easily found, and not as deep into the storage room as I thought it would be. I placed the broom down, and hastily made my out before anything could surprisingly pop out from behind the dusty objects.

I waddled to the front of the store, holding the large and heavy box of old books. I set up a small display for the books. Each one I liked up brought back a small memory of reading each. I love to read. That's why I work at a book store. Although ebooks are becoming more popular, nothing beats the feeling of holding the book, bending each page, and marking it with a memory of what happened. Curling up at night and reading it without having the harsh light burn your eyes or worrying if the battery will die.