3.
 Jack with Lucy wandered into a side aisle, away from the crowd in the main cubicle alleys. He looked down and across the street, instinctively casing it. Across the street were two six-story buildings. One was a concrete and glass box, taking up most of the block. A sign in big letters, beside the main door, said I.R.S., to be absolutely certain you could not miss it with a plane. The other, corner building was a narrow, tomato-brick Victorian. Its creamy-marble cornice read Fennel Building 1899. Plate-glass period windows—framed in moss green, scrolled wood—were lettered with gilt edging. One window read Book Shop. Another window read Michael & Rose Fennel, Props. Two slender pillars with Doric entablature framed a heavy, antique wood door. Small law and insurance firms advertised on upper floor windows.
Ambulances and police cars speeded west, with rising and falling sirens that howled as if in pain. Pedestrians gaped and milled on the sidewalk. Among them, Jack noticed a thirtyish woman. She stood by the book shop door, looking comfortable in expensive but understated business clothes. She carried books on her right arm, as if she had been busy shelving. Her left arm sported a grayish-yellow canvas sling. Bandaged fingers protruded limply. Jack saw a certain aura, which a discerning man could only call ‘neat.’ Her muddy blonde hair was moderately short, but refused to stay put and bounced all around in curls. Book Woman turned to reenter the store. Her figure was slim and unassuming. She walked with quick, school-teacher strides. Her legs looked strong, as if she jogged. She wore sensible, cocoa loafers, and knee-high Argyle stockings under tantalizing oval kneecaps and a pleated skirt. Soon a dim shape in the store, Book Woman climbed a ladder to place books on shelves. She moved awkwardly because of her sling.
Jack joined fellow cubicle dwellers sauntering down the block to the Metro Central Mall food court. Lunch there was almost a daily ritual. Good place for people watching, too.
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Copyright © 2018 by Jean-Thomas Cullen, Clocktower Books. All Rights Reserved.
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