Saturday's are generally busy in the book store. It is a day of rest for the normal 9 to 5 workers who seek refuge from their jobs in a new book. It is also a say when parents don't want to pay someone to watch their children so they unclasp the leashes and let them run wild in the children's department. This Saturday was different because of two things: Hurricane Irene and Summer Reading. While most parents come in with their children for their school books in late July, a majority wait until a week, or even days, before classes start.
It might be cruel, but I love to tell the last-minute-mommies that their child's book is sold out. I like to see the look on their face, complete shock and a mixture of anger. With a dash of hostility, they are off ... running their mouths asking why the book is not in stock, is this not a book store? Now, this is the sweet part, the creme de la creme; I smile and say "I'm sorry, we have had our summer reading out for the last four months and since there is only a few days left until school starts, we are running very thin. Most students came in early." MmmmMmmm, sweeter than honey. And that mother's face! She is angry, but I am okay because she is not angry with me, she is angry at her kid or herself.
The mother's usually bite back with "Well I wish I knew it wasn't here before I dragged myself into traffic." I smile again, sweetly, and pass them a business card, "You can always call ahead to see what we have in stock and we can also order it for you over the phone. Or if you prefer, if you log into our website you can look up the book and hit the 'Pick Me Up' button and it will send a reservation to the store of your choice." It is when they let out a heavy sigh that I suppress a giggle, because this is the moment where they ask if there is anything else they can do to get the book. I apologize, suggesting to order it and explain to the teacher that their child was unable to get the book in time .... because those few months were just not enough! This conversation happens at least 20 times a day or more as school begins.
Now, Hurricane Irene sent in these last-minute-mommies AND those who sought to get their shopping done before Saugus becomes oceanfront property. Mix that with a full moon and the bookstore starts to take a turn for the worst. People forget author's names and titles of books that they are looking for. Only a blurry picture stands out in their mind of what the book cover looks like but the picture they describe is just an inkblot to us, different interpretations. The rain starts to come down and everyone storms the registers, because they know if the lights go out, they can't buy their books. So there are 15+ people in line with only one cashier, we all run up to help but then... the phones start to ring. "What are your hours?" I hate this questions because their is an automated machine that tells the hours of operation before the phone even rings for us. I am tempted to say, call back and listen to the automated message before hanging up but I refrain.
I can't leave on time because we had a call out and the store was still packed as if we were selling bottled water and canned foods before a 2 year ice age. I saw my scheduled end time pass by until finally, the crowd calmed. I knew it was only the eye of the storm, it would only take one lightning bolt and a loud boom of thunder to drive people off route 1 and to seek shelter in a bookstore. Freedom, I can almost taste it. The day didn't go that bad, I dealt with the same questions and the same situations that I have been for 5 years. But there is always one person... one person who just throws you off completely.
"Excuse me, Miss. Are the writers and authors separated in the store? Because my daughter has this list and they are all names but there are two columns. So I think the authors are on the left and the writers are on the right. Is that right?"
Speechless.
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