Killing Him Softly
 

Richie finished up his lunch at Andy’s and went outside and lit a cigarette, he looked up the street to Nonnie’s. He hadn’t seen her since she went out to look at the house he was about to buy. He crossed at the corner passing by Jessup’s and paused finishing his smoke before going in.

“Hi stranger,” Nonnie stood up behind a display she was working on.

“Hi, how are ya?”

“I’ve been wondering where my favorite customer went, the customer who never buys anything.”

“Well…ya know I’m not really into scented candles,” he grinned, “I might be needing some furniture though.”

“And do you think you’ll find it here…I don’t sell black leather sofas and chrome and glass tables,” she smiled a little.

“Is that what you think I am?”

“I don’t know about you, I really don’t.” she looked up at him.

He took a breath, “Maybe you need to spend a little more time with me, you’re always rushing off to Coffs.”

“There aren’t a lot of places around here to spend time with you, I’m not into sitting in the Tavern every night. One can only eat so much so Andy’s is out.” She adjusted a few things on a shelf.

“We could walk up to Lucy’s, have a coffee and something sweet. Or, uh, you could visit my room.”

“I’ve been in your room,” she turned, “I’ve seen it.”

“So what are you telling me, you don’t want to spend any time together?”

Nonnie moved over to the other side of her display unpacking a box, “Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?”

“Um yeah, went out to Wade’s for dinner.”

“Did Libby enjoy it, too?”

Ah, he thought Jessup had been around, “Yeah, I think so. I took her to dinner at Wades, bought her a couple of drinks and walked her home.”

“She’s a sweet little thing isn’t she?”

“What are you getting at, Nonnie?”

“I went swimming last night and I thought about you.”

“You shoulda called me.”

“I thought you might be busy.”

“I wasn’t, I was watching TV…alone.”

“Alone, oh now that’s something isn’t it?” she smiled and stuffed the packing back in the box closing it up.

“You’re killing me, you know?”

Nonnie laughed and carried the empty box back through her store, “When you’re dead, let me know.”

Richie closed his eyes tightly and let out a breath. Wuss found him and wound around his legs purring.