Chapter 0002

#Chapter2

Inventory Sucks, And So Does Grayson

Lucille

I slept before having to work. Oh, yay! Inventory! Note the sarcasm. Stupid Grayson, stupid job, and stupid obligations, I huffed.

I clocked in, strolling to the back to find Grayson. I swear he lives here. I walked over to him.

“Here I am, O’boring one,” I said.

“Do you know what your problem is, Lucille?”

“Nope, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.”

I rolled my eyes.

“You think life is a joke.”

“Well, you’re wrong. Life is fun, and I enjoy it. You prefer to be serious and boring. Hey, we all got to be something.”

I shrugged.

“If you learn life isn’t all fun and games, then you would become an adult!” he snapped.

I glared at him.

He handed me a clipboard.

“Here, start counting.”

I took the clipboard. As soon as Grayson walked away, I mocked him.

“Here, start counting.”

I counted until it was time to eat. Man, I was starving.

I sat down and opened my lunch bag as I pulled out food and ate. I looked around, noticing how different it is with no one here. It’s kind of lonely.

I ate alone. After lunch, I went back to work. Grayson and I were at opposite ends of the stockroom.

I’m used to being around people. I never understood what’s it like to be by myself. I had no one to joke with or talk to, and it was lonely.

I sauntered over to Grayson. At least, someone is here besides little ole me.

“Did you need something?” He asked with a gruffness.

He counted, never looking up from his clipboard.

“I thought it would be better if we worked together.”

“Why?”

“Why not?”

“Why work with someone who’s boring? How did you refer to me? Oh, right. ‘The fun police.’”

He looked at me with intensity. I stood there, saying nothing.

“Oh, that’s right. In the middle of your fun, you forgot people had feelings.”

He shrugged. I looked at him, noticing a hurt expression. I didn’t know what to say. I walked back to my side and counted, staying quiet.

Once my shift was over, I walked over to him and handed him the clipboard.

“All done,” I said.

“Thank you, Lucille.”

He took the clipboard from me as he continued to jot down numbers.

“Aren’t you going to go home?” I asked him.

“In a little while. I want to finish before the store director arrives.”

He continued to count and write. I stood there, then offered my help.

“Do you care if I stay?”

He stopped writing and looked at me.

“Shouldn’t you go home? I don’t want to keep you from your fun,” he said.

“Well, if I stay to help, you’ll get done faster, so you can go home too.”

He looked at me, then handed me a clipboard and fresh sheets. I took it from him as we counted inventory.

If anyone has ever done inventory, it isn’t enjoyable. It’s boring, but you need to make sure a store makes or loses a profit. You make sure people aren’t stealing from the company.

Company theft is a tremendous problem. It comprises taking a few extra minutes for lunch or leaving a few minutes early. A person takes a pen or whiteout. They take anything they didn’t pay for at their job. I never understood it. Why steal from a company that pays you?

I’m fun, but I would never steal from my company. To me, it’s stupid. Plus, I like my job. Now, Grayson, I’m still wondering about him.

After working a few more hours, I finished. Inventory exhausted me. I handed my clipboard to Grayson.

“Thanks for staying, Lucille.”

“Sure thing,” I said.

He smiled at me. Huh, that’s the first time he had ever smiled at me. Usually, he glares.

As I walked away, I stopped and turned to him. “You have a delightful smile. You should use it more often.” He looked at me. I smiled and winked at him before leaving the stockroom.

I can’t believe I got Grayson to smile. Did hell freeze over?

When I got home, it was four in the morning. Ugh, my parents would have a fit. I walked in to find Dad sitting at the table, drinking a cup of coffee.

“How was work?”

“Boring,” I said. I sat down at the table. “Who knew counting could be so daunting?”

He chuckled.

“I’m surprised you’re not giving me a lecture about staying out all night.”

I placed my chin on my hand.

“Because you’re not out doing crazy shit. It’s a sizable difference.”

He smiled as he took a sip of coffee.

“On the plus side, I got Grayson to smile. I didn’t think the guy had any teeth.”

He laughed even more.

“He might not have a reason to smile,” he said.

“But he should because I’m there and an absolute delight.”

I grinned, making him chuckle even more.

“Lucille, sometimes, people don’t have the best life. They make do with it.”

“That doesn’t mean a person can’t smile and have fun. Life isn’t always bad.”

“No, but not everyone has it easy. Lucille, do you like this boy?”

“Pft. That’s a ridiculous question. Grayson is older and boring. Who would like someone like that?”

He gave me a look as I got up, going to bed. Mom woke up, coming into the kitchen.

“Was that Lucille?”

“Yep,” he answered.

“And?”

“And work is fine. Lucille likes this fella at work but won’t admit it. He might be the answer to all our prayers.”

He smiled.

She looked at him with surprise.

My parents wanted me to settle down. Why? I don’t have a clue to their logic. A carefree and crazy attitude makes me happy. It’s what made life fun. I didn’t expect someone who has steel-grey eyes to change my mind.