Page 8 of Lilah

"Clean this up," my mother nearly trips over herself as she follows him. I look around and all the glass from before still sits on the ground.

I stand from my sitting position on the ground, moving slowly so that my back won't stretch too much which will only make the pain ten times worse.

I then begin cleaning everything up.

I often tell myself that what he does is just a parent's form of punishment.

I tell myself that a lot.

~~~

"Oh, Mr. Terrip?" I call out, knowing he's most likely hiding from my presence.

I turn a corner and run right into his tall and lean figure.

"I didn't hear you come in, Azalea," he gives me his signature 'I'm lying to your face' smile.

"I'm sure you didn't Mr. Terrip," I offer him a smile back.

"It's the hearing, I'm telling you," he informs me and I just nod.

I'mtotallysure that's it.

"Mr. Terrip," I say as I begin helping him put books in their correct places. I 'work' here, although it's unofficial.

He won't hire me because he likes to say he's an independent man but I know he likes to have my help.

"Yes, Azalea?"

"I met a stranger yesterday," I tell him and he shakes his head.

"Young one, you meet strangers often," he raises his long arm, putting a book on one of the top shelves.

Shelves cover most of the store. Considering he's not the youngest man ever, most of the store looks quite old. That doesn't keep me from loving it any less.

I think it looks quite aesthetic.

"You are correct, Mr. Terrip," I nod, "but, this time, I don't know. He was just mysterious, y'know?"

"Not necessarily," he shakes his head and I giggle.

I raise my arm to put a book on a high shelf and when I do, my back stretches painfully. I let out a quiet hiss and unfortunately, Mr. Terrip hears it.

Mhm, but he didn't hear me come in apparently.

"What'd you do to yourself?" the southern drawl to his words make me think back to my father's voice. When he's not drunk of course.

"I fell off my bed last night," I thankfully recover my mistake, "can you believe me, Mr. Terrip?"

"Crazy girl," he shakes his head and I begin on a nonstop ramble about how bed frames that are shorter should be made more stylish so that I could get one I like.

I didn't even fall off my bed, I don't know why I began talking about wanting a shorter bed frame.

"You appear a little low on energy today, Azalea," Mr. Terrip frowns, looking down at me.

Unfortunately, I was up all night tossing and turning. When your back hurts as bad as mine does, it's hard to find a comfortable sleeping position.

"You're right, Mr. Terrip," I nod, "I'm going to take a quick trip to town square for some coffee, would you like some?"