You Have to Pay A Fee

Nonnie waited patiently while her Uncle Stephen spoke with a passerby, she had to smile in this little glen he certainly stood out amongst the populace. He was a big man and his flamboyant dress caught people’s attention, bright pink shirt and silk scarf around his neck his suit more lavender than gray. She loved him dearly.

He’d lent her one of his van’s to deliver her stock and come along for the ride. She thought he might be as excited about her new venture as she was. Once the van was unloaded he left for Coffs with blown kisses and waves. Now it was up to her and she set about unpacking and placing her pieces. The little bell above her door rang and she turned to see who was coming in, really she must lock that door.

“Hi, I had a chance to look over your papers everything seems in order but you need to pay a fee for a business license .” Richie walked over where she was standing by a box of porcelains wrapped in bubble wrap.

“I figured somebody would want some money,” she straightened up and smiled at him. “Do I pay you?”

“No, pay Biebe up at the police department.” Richie met her eyes for a moment and looked away. “When are you ah going to be open for business?”

“Hopefully by the weekend but I’m not in such a hurry now that my stock is here, it’s going to take me a while to get it like I want it which is perfect.”

“Oh yeah, perfect huh,” he moistened his lips, “looks like a lot of work?”

“Are you offering to help?” she cocked her head.

“Afraid I wouldn’t be much good at this whatever it is.” She had a direct way of looking at him that made him uneasy he didn’t know why. “Um what are you doing for lunch?”

“I brought a salad and a sandwich I really don’t have time for a lunch hour.”

“Yeah probably not,” he looked down to see Wuss winding around his ankles, “who’s this?”

“That’s Wuss you must be a cat person he’s very selective.”

“Cat’s nah,” Richie smiled, “well uh I’ll let you get back to work.” He backed away and blinked at her unwavering look. Once outside the door he took a breath, what the hell was that?

Nonnie smiled a little smile, she’d already heard all about him from Mr. Jessup. Richie Roberts was the local lothario bedding everything in skirts. She hoped she’d scared him off she didn’t have time for that kind of thing and wouldn’t be interested in him anyway. She locked her door behind him.

Richie shrugged his shoulders and crossed the street he could still see her eyes in his mind, eyes that pulled him into a void where he might get lost. He glanced back once at her shop and went into his office.