Page 2 of Devious Corruption

“Excuse me, do you haveCrime and Punishmentinhardcover?” The man who had been in the self-help section calls over to me from the World Literature shelves.

“In hardcover? No. But there are several editions in paperback to choose from.” I start to walk over to him, but he shakes his head.

“No. Thanks, but I need hardcover.”

“I can order it for you if you’d like,” I offer, putting my hand up to Joey which hopefully makes him understand I need him to stand quietly so I can do my job.

“That’s okay, I’ll just order it online. Thanks.” He puts back the book he was holding and heads for the door.

I sigh, dropping my shoulders.

“Max. The key?” Joey shoves his open palm at me.

At same time, the mother rushes up the aisle toward me.

“I’m so sorry, but do you have a washroom?” She glances back at her little girl who’s doing a potty dance.

“Of course. If you walk down the historical fiction section, there’s a door for the restrooms.” I point the way.

“Thank you,” she hurries back to her daughter, scoops her up in her arms and heads for the last row of books.

“Max.” Joey slaps the back of his hand against my arm to get my attention.

“Joey, I–”

“Agh!” From the romance corner comes a startled scream, then the deafening roar of books tumbling in a massive, avalanche wave.

“Oh my god!” I run back down the main aisle and find the customer in the romance section standing beside twoturnstiles laying at her feet. Books sprawl across the floor.

“I’m so sorry. I was grabbing a book off the top rack, and the whole thing came down. And then the next one, too.”

“No, no it’s all right. Are you okay? It didn’t land on you?” I check her over quickly for any injuries.

If she’s been hurt, she can sue, and if she sues, Mr. Miller will definitely have to close the store in order to pay her off. And all the work I’ve been doing trying to freshen this place up will have been for nothing.

“Oh no. I’m fine.” She crouches. “Seriously. I’m okay. Here, let me help you.”

“No, no. I’ll get this.” I wave her away. “It looks like the bottom broke. I’ll get it cleaned up. Did you get the book you wanted at least?”

She smiles apologetically. “No, It fell right as I touched it.”

“Ah, well, we’ll find it. Which book was it?” I glance down at the mess of paperbacks.

Her cheeks flush as she offers, “I can dig for it.”

“Ma’am?” The mother is outside the restroom calling me. “Ma’am!”

Her eyes are wide, and she’s bouncing on her toes, just like her little girl had been earlier.

“It’s okay, go. I’ll look for the book.” She starts moving books aside, looking for what I’m sure is a sizzling story.

“All right. I’ll be right back. Sorry.” I pushup from the floor.

It’s moments like this, I wish Mr. Miller hired more than the three staff members we have, so I wouldn’t be stuck here alone like this.

“What’s wrong?” The little girl’s face is red and blotchy like she’d been crying.

“I’m sorry, but Julie had an accident. She didn’t quite make it to the toilet. I tried to clean it up, but there’s only the hand dryers.” She places her hand on Julie’s shoulder, squeezing her slightly as she whispers, “She’s really embarrassed.”