Enjoy!

Love,

Ashley, Ren, and Melissa

The bookstore sat in at the edge of town. It was the same everyday. The small shop was family owned and operated. Carrying only secondhand books, it was a sanctuary for hidden treasures more valuable than any gold. Ideas and thoughts of the past, forgotten by society, were kept preserved safely within the bookshelves that sat covered in cobwebs.

            All of the classics were present. Dickens, Austen, Shakespeare Tolkien, as well as poets such as Wordsworth, Dickinson, Poe, and Longfellow were shelved in their respective places. The embossed covers glistened as light streamed through the windows. Dust was visible floating in the air with the sunlight giving the room a warm glow. The bell rang softly as the door opened.

            Looking up from her book, (not quite a classic but still a favorite) Mary watched as three boys walked into her parent’s bookstore. Quite often she was left to tend to the dusty shelves and the small shop as their parents searched for more treasures to add to their collection. Her hazel eyes lit up as she realized the three boys in the shop weren’t the usual sort who came in to cause trouble. Instead they seemed intent on finding something.

            “Can I help you?” Her voice rang in the quiet shop, causing the three boys to turn as one to face her. They looked oddly familiar, and yet she couldn’t place them. She never really had time to venture out of the store and was more focused on homework and other studies than boys and the latest trends. She found herself blushing slightly as they looked at her as if waiting for a certain reaction.

            When that reaction didn’t come, she smiled as what appeared to be the eldest of the group walked over to the counter she was sitting behind. “Are you the owner of this shop?” He asked, his hazel eyes meeting hers.

            “My parent’s own it, but I’m usually the only one working here.” She replied, trying not to blush. He was gorgeous; a smile to die for and a head full of curly hair she was dying to reach out and touch. A single curl fell onto his forehead and his boyish yet grown features left her almost speechless. “I’m Mary,” she added as an afterthought.

            “Kevin.” He replied, sticking out his hand for her to shake. It was callous but soft at the same time, and Mary wondered why his hands were so rough for someone who appeared to be as gentle and caring. They stood in silence after their greeting, and while Mary was trying to find her voice to ask him what he and his companions came in for she heard a cough from one of the other boys.

            “Right,” she said, breaking out of her reverie. She smacked herself for letting the romantic in her free so quickly. It must have been the atmosphere; surrounded by old-fashioned romance novels and poems that told tales of true love often made a girl wide-eyed and hopeful that romance could happen in the strangest of ways. “So can I help you guys?”

            The youngest one spoke up then, and Mary smiled as she compared the three of them. They must have been brothers, their similarities in personality and looks standing out, but they got along like friends. Mary was an only child but she’d baby-sat siblings before and none of them got along as well as the trio before her did. “We’re looking for a present for our mother.” He said. “She likes old-fashioned love stories, so we thought this would be the best place to look.”

            Mary nodded in understanding. “You have come to the right place. But just any old-fashioned love story won’t do. Love isn’t a generic thing; everybody loves a unique love story. What does your mother like?”

            She listened in rapt attention as the three brothers discussed their mom’s likes and dislikes, laughing as the middle one made jokes in between. When they’d finished they looked up at her expectantly.

            “I think I have just the book you’re looking for.” She said before walking quickly down one of the shelves in search of the very volume she had in mind.

          Mary was surprised and more than a little pleased to have the three boys follow her down the narrow aisle of books, staring around at the multitude of titles. She couldn’t help but smile at their wondering faces, her fingers trailing along the volumes on the shelves. She paused, reaching the section she was looking for almost immediately. Her eyes roved up the shelf, landing on the dark green cover with golden script writing along the spine. 

          “You really do know this place well,” Kevin observed quietly, following her gaze and watching her reach up purposefully for the exact book she needed.

          She smiled at his astute statement, more true than he’d probably ever know. “It’s something of a sanctuary,” she mused, standing on her toes to reach the shelf just out of arm reach. Kevin stepped forward and pulled out the book she was stretching for, pressing it into her hands with a smile. She felt her heart flutter, but continued nonetheless. “Some people lose themselves in art, or music…I have literature,”

          At the mention of music, the three of them shared a glance, but they didn’t elaborate so Mary didn’t press the issue. She held the book out to the youngest, who was staring intently at the cover to catch a glimpse of the title. Mary inspected the book, looking over the condition. She perused the first couple of pages. Nodding satisfied, she handed the 3rd edition copy of “Les Miserables” by Hugo to the one with the rough hands, Kevin.
   
    He smiled, and Mary swore he almost started to tear up. Showing the book to his brothers, they all smiled. The youngest, especially, seemed to be pleased with the recommendation.
   

    "We’ll take it.” He said with a glimmer in his eye.
   

    They meandered back to the counter, conversing casually along the way. The middle child found himself entertained by the golden edges of the pages gleaming in the light. Kevin held the book gently, as if scared to even hold something so delicate and rare.
   

    “Would you like me to wrap it?”
   

    The boys nodded. As opposed to any garishly bright wrapping paper, the book was wrapped in plain brown packaging paper. Handing the book over, Mary rang them up using the archaic cash register. She gave the boys a smile. It was the first time in years someone new had come into the shop. It was the first time she could remember since she was born that someone new came in with no intentions to cause any trouble whatsoever. And she had even done business today.
   

    The three boys left the bookstore, waving. However, before they made it to the end of the street, Kevin turned around and went straight back inside. Mary looked up as the bell rang again. The oldest of the young men who had just been in the store was staring at her.
   

    “Do you happen to have anything on Shakespeare that I could pick up later this week?” he asked, out of breath.
   

    Mary smiled.
   

    “I’ll be here.”
   

    Kevin strolled out of the neighborhood. On the outskirts of a small town, sitting by a wide alley, all three had found a hidden treasure.