New Adventures

Everyone needs an adventure in their life, right? About 10 minutes ago, I left my home for the past 18 years.

My parents are some of those “good intentions” types. They had good intentions when they sheltered me from all the hurt and pain I could have experienced over the last 10 years. They sheltered me from overnight stay-the-night parties, potential boyfriend, social activity, and experience. That’s what losing a kid can do to you, I guess.

My brother was only 12 when he and a friend of his passed away. They were wild and carefree. Losing a kid cannot be something you ever forget, but losing him in the accident caused me never to be treated as a normal kid. 10 years later, and I am treated like the little sister who lost her brother. Overprotected and missing out on all adventures. Unless you call getting to work at my parent’s office an adventure.

So this morning, I packed my bag, stashed the $2500 I saved up, filled my car with gas, and left a note:

Mom and Dad,

I need to experience life on my own. Don’t worry about me-I’ll call soon.

Love,

Molly

The city isn’t too far away from home, just a short 6-hour drive. We’ve come a few times a year but never stay more than few days.

Finding a place to stay wasn’t an issue. One of my few friends from high school is attending art school here and has offered to let me stay with her until I figure out my next steps. Sarah is the total opposite of me. She has fire red hair, freckles and always meeting new people. I am reserved at best, with dull, straight brown hair and not a freckle to be found. I thought she would be the perfect friend to get me out of my shell and see what the city has to offer me.

Her apartment is over a bookstore-another great reason to stay with her. I love books! I may never leave. As I walk up to the store, I see a help wanted ad:

Part-Time Position Available. Apply within.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyy goshhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!” yells Sarah when the door opens. She squeals and runs to hug me.

“Shhh! It’s a bookstore, Sarah!! I’m so happy to see you!” She rushes us to the back of the store towards another door.

“It’s a bookstore, not a library.” Sarah rolls her eyes at me. “I honestly never thought you’d come. How did your parents take it? Are they devastated??” She rushes all the questions at me.

“I don’t know. I didn’t tell them where I was going. I just packed my things, left a note, and turned my phone off. I’m sure they have a lot to say about it, but I didn’t want them calling a million times to guilt-trip me into going back. Not yet anyway.”

As we walked the stairs and turned into the apartment, I noticed another door across the small hall.

“Who lives there?”

Sarah smiled. “That is where Mr. Jacobs lives. He owns the store and is a friend of my dad’s, which got me this place. He is super nice. He does like it quiet, so no loud parties.” She laughs at herself with that last comment. As if that was almost a joke.

Her apartment is small but cozy. It has 2 small bedrooms with a bath in between them. A small living/dining room with a kitchen area too. There was even a tiny balcony overlooking the bookstore.

“I try to sit out there in the evenings, and people watch. It helps me with art. I try to figure out everyone’s stories by how they act when they are walking up and down the street.”

Only Sarah would find a mystery with people walking by on the street.

After I settled into the place, we went out for dinner. I turned my phone on with 18 voicemails and too many text messages from my parents. I didn’t even listen to them. I selected the last one and listened:

“Ok, Molly. This is the last time we are calling today. Your mom and I are NOT happy with how you left, but it seems we are not getting anywhere on that today. We love you. We don’t understand why you are doing this. Please at least call and tell us you have somewhere to stay and you are safe. Love you.”

“So……” Sarah is looking at me like I may pass out.

“Well, it was better than expected!” Whew! I will take that as a win. They didn’t call the law to track me or arrest me (yet). I should at least text them.

Got your messages. I know you don’t understand, but this is what I need right now. I have a place to stay, I have some money, and I am safe. I’ll call soon. Love you.

The next morning I woke up to the smell of coffee.

“Morning sunshine! You have a big day today.” Sarah was beaming from across the room.

I give her a crazy look. “What is on my agenda for today?”

“You are going to have to find a job! I mean, you can totally stay here for a bit, but living in the city is expensive. Dad pays for my school and half of all my expenses, but I still have to have a part-time job to have fun money!”

“Oh yes, of course! I would never try to live off you, Sarah! I have been working at the office with mom but not sure I could find office work here. Actually, I saw a job listing in the window downstairs for the bookstore. You think I could talk to Mr. Jacobs about that job?”

Sarah looked at me seriously. She seemed as if she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure.

“Well, I’m not sure it will work out, but yes! That would be a great place to start.”

Before I could ask another question, she grabbed her book bag, a coffee mug and gave me a big smile. “Gotta go to class! Lock up if you leave—your key is on the bar. See you around 6!”

I love a bookstore. Ever since I can remember, I have been obsessed with the way a bookstore smells. Not old, but not new. A mix of both. A little bit of ink and leather mixed with a usual small of coffee or tea too. The smell of fresh ink on a new notebook is heaven to me.

This bookstore has been here for years. We are in the older section of town that was redeveloped about 5 years ago. Most of the buildings in this area were bought out and redecorated. Now there are boutiques and coffee shops all around. As I look around the bookstore, I notice the exposed brick and beautiful antique wood shelves filled with books. There are tables throughout the space with table displays on them. I see a copy from one of my favorite authors and walk over to take a look.

“I wouldn’t have pegged you for a sci-fi reader.” someone says from behind me, startling me.

I jumped and almost knocked over the display. Quickly I started placing the books back.

“I love most books. Especially ones with a unique storyline.”

I stopped talking and turned to get a good look at who was speaking to me. An older man stepped out from behind the other table display.

“You must be Mr. Jacobs? I am Molly Summers, a friend of Sarah’s. Your place is beautiful.”

The man gave a soft smile. It was the type of smile someone gives you when they aren’t sure how to read what you said. I didn’t think I said anything out of place?

“Thank you. Can I help you with that book?”

“Oh, no, thank you. I’m actually needing to speak with you regarding the help you are looking for. I am new to the city and looking for a job. Is it still available?”

Mr. Jacobs walked behind his counter and pulled out an apron. “Can you start now?”

The day passed quickly. We barely talked. From time to time, I’d ask how he wanted something displayed, or he would give a correction on how the book was placed on the shelf. Around 4 o’clock, we had just finished stocking a box of new books, and Mr. Jacobs told me to clock out.

“See you at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, and we will work out a schedule for the rest of the month then.”

After hanging up my apron, I began walking upstairs. Today was a great day. It was the perfect job for me. I had about an hour before Sarah was home, but I wanted to tell my good news to someone. I decided better now than later—I need to call my parents.

I sat down on the stairs, took a big, deep breath, and clicked “call mom.”

A little after 6, Sarah walked through the door.

“Tell me all about your day!! I cannot wait to hear about your job search! Where all did you go??”

“I never left the building! I talked with Mr. Jacobs, and he offered me a job on the spot!”

“What?? Really. Wow, I wasn’t sure he would be up for that.” Sarah looked at me like she was so sad.

“Is something going on? Should I not have taken the job?”

“Oh no!! Nothing like that at all. He is an old family friend. He’s just had a rough time in the past few years, and with his history, I wasn’t sure he would be open to having someone so young in the shop—but enough of my thoughts! He must have loved you.”

I felt better about it now. Mr. Jacobs was kind, and I really like him. He wasn’t weird at all and actually reminded me of my dad a lot.

“Oh, I talked with my parents today too! We had a long talk, they aren’t thrilled but love that I’m here with you. They understand I need this for me, and I promised to go home and visit in 2 weeks.”

Sarah jumped up and gave me a big hug.

“Great. Go get dressed, and let’s go celebrate your new job! Oh –Who else knows you are staying with me??”

“No one? I just told my mom and dad a few hours ago and doubt they have told anyone yet. Why do you ask?”

“Hmm. That’s odd. You have a package that came in the mail. It doesn’t have a return address on it, though.”

I walk over to the counter, where she set her bag down. Under a few envelopes, there was a small package wrapped in brown paper. It was addressed simply:

Molly Summers

506 Reed Ave, Apt #2

I unwrapped the package with care. A beautiful, black notebook was carefully tucked in the packaging. There was a thread around the notebook with a card with “Molly” written in a lovely script. As I opened the notebook, pieces of paper fell out. A large amount—wait, what was that???

“IS THAT CASH?????” Yelled Sarah, who was walking back into the room.

“Oh my gosh!! That is freaking cash, Molly!! Who sent you that??”

In shock, I whispered, “Yes. It is cash. And I have no idea where it came from.”

Sarah was on the floor counting cash while all I could do was stand there and hold this small black notebook, wondering what just happened. Who gave me this? Why?

Some writing in the notebook caught my eye. A note was written on the page the cash was still falling from:

To new adventures.

-W

Sarah looked at me with big eyes and an even bigger smile. “There has to be around $20,000 here, Molly!!”

Who is W? Why did he/she give me this much money? And why did it come in a black notebook?