My Escape

the day the bell chimed

My computer screen cast a white glow on my tan skin, as my fingers rested on my keyboard. Continuing my train of thought, I continued to string together letters and words to create an article for our town paper, The Rockport Times. It wasn't about anything interesting, of course, since nothing ever happened here.

I heard the bell chime, signaling someone had entered my family's beach shop, but I didn't bother to look. If someone needed me they could come to my post at the register and get me themselves.

"Hello? Anyone here?"

I rolled my eyes, did someone really think we would just leave the shop empty. "If you need anything just come to the register."

I heard someone shuffling around the store, but I ignored it, and focused on my writing. Our town was sleepy, but there were still deadlines for the paper. I continued to type until a forced cough broke my concentration.

Annoyed, I looked up. A boy who looked around 18, or maybe 17 like me, stood expectantly in front of the counter. His arms were filled with various beach supplies and toys, and he was dressed for a day at the beach.

Seeing as he was a customer, I closed my MacBook and gave him a tight smile, "Are you ready to checkout?"

"Only if it's a good time. I would hate to bother you by asking you to do your job." He smirked as he dumped a pile of buckets, towels and sunscreen onto my counter.

My smile grew taunt, "It's no trouble at all." One by one, I rang up his items on the old cash register. I had almost finished when I heard rushed footsteps heading for the counter.

Looking up, I was greeted by a head of wild red curls and a big toothy smile. Each of her hands were full of candy as she rushed up to the boy.

Her smile grew bigger, "Teddy! Teddy! Can I pleeeaaasssee get these candies?" His whole demeanor changed, his impatience fading into a soft smile as he knelt down next to her.    

"How about you pick out your two favorites and we will get those today and come back for two more another time?"

"But I love them all. They're all my favorites!" Her chin began to wobble.

"But if you get them all then your tummy will start to hurt." He poked her side, making her giggle. "You don't want to be sick during our fun day on the beach, do you?" Shaking her head, she ran to put her candies back, returning with a grin, now only one clutched in each hand.

"So will this be all for you then, Teddy?" I gave him an amused smile. Even though I had found the whole exchange to be adorable, he didn't need to know that.

Ignoring me, "Anything else you think we'll need for our beach date today, Emma?" The little girl shook her head and put her candies on the counter. As she did, her eyes lit up when she saw the typewriter that sat behind the register.

"What is that?" Awe filling her bright blue eyes.

I had completely forgotten it was here, my grandfather had dropped it off last week for my use for an assignment and I had forgotten to return it. Before I could speak up, Teddy explained.

"That's a typewriter, they used to use those to type before computers." Motioning towards my silver laptop.

"Can I try! Can I try!" Her curls bouncing as she jumped up and down.