Chapter 2: Losing Faith

Selby finished adding several Sue Grafton novels someone traded in the previous week to the mystery section when he heard the cowbell over his front door jingle. "Lunch time," he heard the soprano voice call out. He glanced at his watch, surprised it was already a quarter past noon. This Monday flew by.

He slid T is for Trespassing onto the shelf and then left the rest of the books in the box in favor of food. He hadn't realized he was hungry until the call for lunch rang out. "Be right there." He slid to the back room, snagged a Coke and a Dr. Pepper from the ancient fridge he kept in the back, and then made his way to the front counter where Tracey already sat on a stool Selby kept there for her visits, opening a Styrofoam container. He could smell the sauerkraut and knew the selection of the day was Reuben sandwiches. "Smells delicious."

"Well, you know it is. I made it." She nibbled on a corn chip as Selby handed her the Dr. Pepper. Tracey's vibrant red hair kept falling into her face, forcing her to keep tucking it behind her ear. Even sitting on the stool, she couldn't look Selby eye-to-eye. Standing, she was only five-five, and every inch was a treat for the eyes. Her hair fell just below her shoulders, pointing to a firm heart-shaped ass Selby just loved to watch walk back to the bakery. Her breasts were firm handfuls that always seemed to have hard nipples pointing out of her blouses. She was petite, but strong. People would not take advantage of Tracey Williams easily, and she ran her business with a firm hand and a gentle smile.

Selby sat in his big, black leather office chair, twirling it so he faced the tender frame of his lunch companion. "How's your day going?"

She merely shrugged. "It's Monday. Joe's there, grumbling about the way I'm running his bakery as if he forgot he sold it to me. Joanie screwed up two cakes and a strudel, and Darrell was late with my food delivery this morning. I'm ready for a drink." She gave him her fake grin with her lips pressed into a thin line.

Selby finished chewing a bite of sandwich before answering. He nodded as he said, "Yeah, that sounds like a Monday. Why don't you just tell Joe to stop coming in?"

She slipped a slice of corned beef into her mouth, sucking the juice from her finger as she withdrew it. Selby had to shake the erotic thoughts out of his head. "I feel sorry for him," Tracey admitted. "His kids moved away right after he sold me the place, so he doesn't have anyone here. Besides, he's not really that bad. He's like my father, if my father still talked to me."

Selby nodded his head. "I just can't understand a father turning his back on his daughter, for any reason."

Tracey shrugged. "It is what it is. My choices in life didn't get his stamp of approval. Of course, when dear ol' Dad is against you, Mom has to follow suit, so she ignores one of the children she shot out from between her legs."

He almost choked on his lunch at her brutal description. "You've never told me what decision you made that caused them to exile you." He doubted she would now, but it didn't stop him from being curious. As far as Selby knew, only her brother kept in touch with her.

"What does it matter? No one bullies me into their way of thinking. My life is mine to live as I see fit, and I refuse to allow others to control or manipulate me." She dropped her sandwich back into its container. "People have to accept me for me, even my parents."

Selby took another bite of his sandwich. He agreed with Tracey, up to a point. Some choices, he knew, were just too much for traditional people to handle. Most would not accept the decisions Faith and he made with their lives, but then, there was no need to shout everything they did from the rooftops, either. Selby was a firm believer in living your life and only answering questions when asked. There was no point in volunteering things just for the shock value.

The rest of their lunch was idle chitchat about other shop owners downtown. The man who ran the British store was secretly seeing the lady behind the counter at the candle shop, and it was all hush-hush, which meant everyone was talking about it. Another street party was being planned to attract business. Selby never worked one, and Tracey thought the only thing they attracted were drunks. Still, since it was the bars organizing it, they were reaching the crowd they wanted.

"Oh, Faith said yes to Wednesday night. Where do you want to go? Our place?" Selby tried to look innocent, but Tracey's laugh told him it didn't work.

"I know Faith is becoming adventurous, but I doubt she's become that open. Yet." Tracey's smile told him, however, that she would be willing if it were ever to happen. He was halfway there. "How about that small Italian place out by the interstate?"

Italian sounded good to him, so they set a dinner date for seven and then lunch was over; all too quick for his taste. Selby watched her perfect ass sway back across the street to her bakery to finish her day. He smiled the entire time, wondering if he would ever see her without those white shorts covering her ass.

The bell over his door rang as an elderly couple entered, said good afternoon, and started browsing. Selby went back to organizing the recent additions to his mystery section with images of Faith and Tracey spread upon his bed, making him wish he was either alone or at home.