At the Bookstore - Gunnar

Sometime in summer, 2008 Karlstad, Sweden The brown-haired Swede pedals contentedly along the sidewalks. He passes by the first block of shops in central Karlstad, before coming upon the Bokia store. He has money now, and he loves books, so he decides to look inside. He hops the curb and skids to a stop just in front of the bike rack before dismounting, then chains it up. He enters the bookstore, cringing under the expected glances of the bookstore ‘regulars'--but there are no customers in the store. He nods quickly to the kassörska* at the desk, who greets him softly and smiles at him loudly. He doesn't think anything of it at first, but as he continues onward towards the sci-fi section, he considers that her face showed a bit of familiarity that he finds odd. He does not recall ever seeing her before. He scans the limited shelf space reserved for the books of his preferred fictional genre, and fingers over the various spines, shoving and tugging some to remove particular titles that invoke curiosity. He takes a look at the back covers to read the summaries. Not much interesting enough, except one book. He might buy it. He hears a sound. A sort of whispering--a timid, shallow exhalation. No. Now it is a humming. He leans to peek out of the aisle, just enough to locate the source of the sound: the cash desk. He hides back behind the science-fiction bookshelf. The kassörska is pretty, he realizes. He decides to move up nearer her station. The fantasy and manufactured romance novella section is the nearest ‘adult' section to the desk. He claims his book of choice and silently maneuvers to this sector. He notes that he is a bit tall for sneaking around efficiently. He stays on the fantasy side of the shelves. He doesn't appreciate much of the fantasy genre, but the romance books are well beneath his dignity. The important thing, however, is that he can hear the humming much better. He takes his time, ‘browsing' as slowly as possible. He has never heard the tune before, but it sounds wonderful to his ears. He shivers. The tune changes to a more popular melody. He recognizes it as a song by Veronica Maggio: "17 År". A strange feeling comes over him. His mind turns quickly. He has heard the song many times before, but it sounds so beautiful--even more beautiful than the way Veronica sang it. His breath is short. He trembles and sinks to the floor. He can do nothing but listen. The melody is remarkably soothing. The girl hums another song--and probably many more. Gunnar can not tell how many tunes it has been. He does not know how long he has been sitting on the floor in the fantasy section, but it must be nearing an hour. The sky is no indicator, as the summer knows almost no nighttime. He is only certain that he has missed supper. Eventually, the music stops and he hears a creaking. He scrambles off the floor and opens his book hurriedly, not caring which page he lands on. She appears at the opening of the aisle, jumping a bit upon noticing him. Gunnar realizes he looks a bit disheveled at the moment. He blushes, though he tries to believe that she cannot see it. [You are still here?] she half-asks. Beautiful copper-blond hair. Gunnar stutters. [Yes.] Pretty, blue eyes. She cocks her head to the side and grins sweetly. [Do you need more time?] Gunnar stutters again. [No. I am ready.] He looks like a fool. She skips to the cashier counter. Gunnar exits the aisle to rendezvous on the opposite side of the counter. He gently but firmly sets the book on the desk. She peers at the numbers on the cover and simultaneously enters the digits into the computer register. Even the tapping of the keys is breathtaking tonight, Gunnar feels. [One hundred twenty crowns,] she repeats the price to him for good measure, as she does with all other customers. She looks into his eyes. Don't look into her eyes. He looks down at the counter immediately and fumbles in his pocket for his wallet. He unfolds his wallet and much too readily parts with the 120 kronor tonight. She takes the money from him and imprisons the paper in the money tray. She tears away a receipt from the printer and holds it out for Gunnar. He quickly retrieves it and tucks it into his pocket with his wallet. The girl nudges the book towards him. He mishandles it with his first grasp, then securely clutches it and presses it against his hip. She is about to close shop, so Gunnar makes toward the door quickly out of courtesy. She follows behind, preparing to lock the door upon his departure. He opens the door slowly and pushes outside. She holds the door open after he has exited. [Thanks!] she tells him, on behalf of the company. [Thanks,] Gunnar returns, on behalf of himself. She begins to close the door, then subtly waves at him. [Good evening, Gunnar.] She shuts the door and locks it, then retreats to the cash desk to finalize business things. Gunnar chuckles. She knows his name. He unchains his bicycle and climbs on. Wait. She knows his name. *kassörska is the feminine form of kassör - 'cashier'