Blackbirds
Chapter 3
Part 1
It was Saturday morning, which meant me and Grandpa had to take our weekly trip to Ted’s Farmer’s Market. The owner, Ted, was Grandpa’s best friend. They had been in business together for over thirty years. Grandpa gave him the harvest, and Ted sold it. Ever since I started living on Grandpa’s farm, we’ve been going to Ted’s. It became my favorite part of the week, easily, because it meant I could run around through the aisles of the air-conditioned store. Now, I still love going, but because I see so many people buying the fresh produce that I contributed to. It’s one of those feelings that make me warm inside.
“Good mornin’, Mrs. Hallie. How’s you today?” Ted said in his thick country accent, his cigar getting in the way of his speech. He had been like an uncle to me, growing up.
“Great, Ted, thank you. I’ve just been tired from the hard work on the farm,” I admitted.
“Well, it’s all goin’ to good use,” he said, as he led Grandpa to the back storage area.
I waited around the store, politely speaking to the employees who knew me from every other Saturday. As I walked down an aisle of apples and pears, an employee with boxes in his hands knocked into me. The boxes were blocking his view, and since my head was turned to see the apples, it was a sudden collision. We both fell over and the boxes, having peaches inside, spilled everywhere. I tried getting up, but the peaches and boxes had landed on me. The employee jumped up, revealing his face.
He had dark, black hair, strong arms, and had a great jaw-line. His eyes stood out- deep blue-green and almost intimidating. I was instantly attracted, but in the way that you are when you see a hot movie star- attracted, in an unreal kind of way. He looked to be about my age, maybe older. He quickly bent over and cleared the area, and stuck out a strong hand to pull me up.
“I am so sorry!” He apologized sincerely, as he bent down to pick the peaches up. I helped him reload the boxes, finding that I couldn’t look into his eyes because they were too beautiful.
“It was my fault- I didn’t see you coming. Are you new here?” I asked.
“It’s my third day, actually. Is it that obvious?”
I laughed. “No, but I never noticed you before. I come here every Saturday with my Grandpa to give Ted the harvest,” I explained, keeping myself from staring at his arms.
“You know the owner? He seems a bit…terrifying,” he said, timidly.
“Well, he is at first. But he’s got a big heart. He’s almost like my uncle,” I laughed at the thought of such a handsome, strong man to be afraid of beer-bellied Ted.
“I sure hope he doesn’t fire me for this…” He said, and as if on cue, Ted and Grandpa walked into the scene.
“What’s this? Samuel, what have you done?!” Ted roared.
“Ted! It was all my fault. I’m so sorry, I just bumped into him and everything went flying, but we tried to clean it up in time,” I lied. I knew Ted had a soft spot for me.
“Oh, Hal. Try to be more careful in the shop, honey,” Grandpa said, as if an apology.
Ted narrowed his eyes at the employee, Samuel, but gave me a smile. “Just clean it up,
you two,” he said, but soon left busily with Grandpa.
I finished picking up most of the peaches with Samuel, and stacking the boxes on the floor when he said, “You didn’t have to do that for me. I could have taken the blame. My name is Samuel, but you can call me Sam.”
“Oh, it wasn’t a big deal. Ted softens up for me. My name’s Hallie. Nice to meet you,” I said, and politely shook his hand. He grinned, revealing his almost-too-perfect smile. “You look young- why are you working here?”
thanks if you favorited/commented/followed!
it means so much to me to know that there are people out there reading!
xoxo
ScarsandStories